Sir Richard Branson has given an indication that he is prepared to sell a large chunk of his controlling stake in Virgin Atlantic.
Branson, who owns 51% of the airline, told press in the US he intends to remain “a major shareholder” in the airline, but added it was "too soon to say" if that meant retention of his controlling tranche of shares. He also admitted the airline needed a partner to compete against its main rivals, chiefly British Airways.
Branson’s previous insistence on maintaining a controlling stake has always put off potential purchasers, but the indication that he is prepared to down size this will create interest among other carriers.
Currently, the remaining 49% of the airline is owned by Singapore Airlines
Source http://www.abtn.co.uk/news/0715620-branson-relinquish-control-virgin-atlantic
Difficult to say may , may be the best time to get out
Virgin have always been a boutique carrier, carried aloft by marketing and differentiation but if it survives it will always be a niche player.
Shame, capitalism needs more carriers like VA not the BA/AA monopoly that LHR has become.