Richard Branson the peoples champion?
As the battle between Richard Branson and British Airways looks set to move up a notch after the announcement of the proposed merger between British Airways and American Airlines many people are now questioning his motives behind the move. The people's champion, or a business man looking to protect his own patch?
Whatever you make of Richard Branson there is no doubting that once he has made his mind up, the man is not for turning. His battle with British Airways now goes back decades and has been very costly for all parties involved. His latest attempt to derail the proposed merger of the UK and US giants has prompted him to start a massive (and expensive) advertising campaign against the move. But for who's benefit?
There is no doubt that Virgin Airlines has battled very hard to get where it is today on the world stage but British Airways always seems to have more muscle and more clout in the markets. While Virgin suggests that a merger of the two airlines would reduce competition and ultimately see ticket prices rise, it would also squeeze Virgin Airlines at the same time. Depending upon which way you look at the merger we could see reduced ticket prices as costs fall or we could see the Atlantic route taken over by the larger more powerful group and allow them to dictate prices more than they do now.
Share this..
Related stories
Warren Buffett's $34 billion gamble on the US economy
Seasoned investor Warren Buffett has agreed to pay $34 billion for Burlington Northern Santa which is one of the largest railroad operators in the US. The deal is effectively a tidy-up as Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway vehicle already holds 22.6% of the business and was looking to take effective control. However, it is potentially a massive gamble on a recovery in the US economy which few investors h...
Read MoreFTSE 100 companies see pension deficits increase
In another blow for the UK pensions sector it has been revealed that the cumulative deficit of FTSE 100 company pension schemes has increased from £41 billion in August 2008 to a massive £96 billion today. This is by far and away the largest cumulative pension deficit ever seen in the history of the UK pension industry and is starting to cause significant concern in corporate circles.
Cancer sufferers charged more for travel cover?
Macmillan Cancer Support has launched a campaign to highlight alleged discrimination in the travel insurance industry against people who have recovered from cancer.The charity claims that some travel insurers will not provide cover for people who have recovered from cancer or will charge inflated premiums if they do agree to insure the traveller.Speaking on BBC 2's Working Lunch programme, the hea...
Read MoreConsumers shy away from credit
Credit card debt took a £0.1 billion dip in March, according to the British Bankers Association (BBA), with consumers reluctant to add to personal debt.New borrowing on credit cards was down three per cent on last March at £7,017 million. Following seasonal adjustment, net lending fell by £117 million. The number of new personal loans and overdrafts taken out in March was also down on this time...
Read MoreUK police dogs to receive gold plated pensions
The Cambridgeshire police force has today come out and confirmed that they will be funding so-called gold plated pension schemes for ex-police dogs in their later years. While perhaps not the best time to announce the creation of yet more gold plated pension schemes there is no doubt that the dog loving UK nation will have little in the way of criticism for this particular move.
The...