VIRGIN EXPRESS increased its profits and doubled its sales last year. Despite what it describes as "a hostile trading environment" the Brussels-based budget operator posted a E410,000 profit up from E130,000 in 2001. Revenues grew by 7% in 2002 to E227m. Chairman David Hoare said the airline's objectives had been to fill the 40% gap in its revenues caused by the failure of Belgium's national carrier Sabena, with whom it had a sales arrangement, and to expand its route network. "In spite of an extremely hostile trading environment, all of those objective have been achieved," he said. Virgin Express has now expanded to serve 15 major cities from its Brussels base. The airline said its priorities for the current year included raising equity for expansion and opening a second European hub. http://www.virginexpress.com