World leading airline, Virgin Atlantic Airways may begin regional and domestic flights in Nigeria this year, investigations made by THISDAY have revealed.

This might be sad news for some of the domestic operators, particularly the national carrier, Nigeria Airways, which is gradually recuperating from its once seemingly terminal ailment.

THISDAY gathered from highly reliable sources in the aviation industry that the airline which has its roots in the United Kingdom has already registered a business name--Virgin Nigeria limited, which and is said to be enjoying the backing of the Presidency.

Presently, Virgin Atlantic is said to enjoy good business relationship with Nationwide Express based in South Africa which is a joint venture partner of Virgin Express, a subsidiary of Virgin Atlantic.

Nationwide Express is said to have already ordered for an aircraft from the stable of Boeing and the aircraft is actually meant to be deployed for charter services presently and subsequently slated for Lagos when Virgin Nigeria Limited commences actual operations .

The registration of Virgin Nigeria is believed to be borne out of the quest to enjoy cabbotage right which allows such airlines both local, regional and international flying right. Cabbotage is usually reserved for indigenous airlines.

THISDAY sources disclosed that the registration of Virgin Nigeria and the plan to use Nationwide Airlines of South Africa is aimed at using it to feel the reaction of airline operators in Nigeria.

One of the sources told THISDAY that if Virgin eventually commences domestic and regional flights, it may mark the beginning of the end for Nigeria Airways which is gradually launching itself back to reckoning.

This fear stems from the fact that Virgin with its known tradition of reduced fare and better services may snatch the market from the national carrier, particularly on the regional routes which are considered very juicy.

Virgin is said to have been instrumental to the collapse of Ansset, the Australian carrier when the former went into domestic flights in Australia and introduced lower fares thereby capturing the entire market.

It is also still being investigated in Europe if Virgin Atlantic is not unconnected with the demise of Sabena Airline because both were in joint venture.

THISDAY however sought the reaction of Virgin Atlantic officials in Nigeria on the alleged registration of Virgin Nigeria.

Speaking with THISDAY on telephone, the Marketing and Public Relations Executive of Virgin Atlantic in Nigeria, Miss Nkiru Omorodion Nwoko denied knowledge of any company being registered in Nigeria for domestic and regional operations.

Nwoko said it was news to her that a company was registered in Nigeria by Virgin Atlantic to commence domestic and regional flights.

The question still remains, what on earth is Obasanjo's governmnet doing to improve the normal Nigeria Airways International Operations? It is no longer a luxury, it is a vital needs of the people and for the national economy and dignity of a nation, in which we must be very proud. We have the money and we have the credit/debt histories which Boeing, Douglas, etc will consider. Let stop criticising or debarring good things happening to Nigeria. Virgin atlantic should be allowed to operate to and fro Nigeria, but their accident records and flight histories should be checked and monitored.