Godfrey to leave Virgin Blue

Brett Godfrey, who heads Australian carrier Virgin Blue, is to leave in 2010 after a decade with the carrier which he co-founded.

Godfrey will "retire from the company during the course of 2010", says Virgin Blue.

"The board has ample time to manage the succession planning and is confident of appointing the right person to lead the company into the next decade."

News of Godfrey's planned departure comes as the airline braces to post its first annual loss.

Virgin Blue expects to report a loss of A$160-165 million for the year to 30 June 2009, down from a net profit of A$98 million a year ago. However, it expects to break even in the current financial year.

The airline has also detailed plans to raise A$231.4 million ($190 million) in fresh equity.

Airline Business did a cover interview with all of the Virgin's airline chief executives earlier this year. And here's a link to an earlier interview with Godfrey.