VIRGIN EXPRESS: In spite of positive noises made earlier this year the Brussels-based part-Richard Branson-owned budget carrier, reported an E11.7m loss for the first quarter, up from E6.7m in 2002. The company partly blamed the deterioration on concerns about war and terrorism, Easter falling outside the first quarter and intense competition. The numbers of scheduled passengers grew 9%, 551,593 with a load factor of 80.6%. http://www.virginexpress.com