Virgin Atlantic Airways denies that they plan to sell its UK air traffic stake

Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways has denied reports that they are planning to sell their stake in the National Air Traffic Services.

They had to come out with this statement after a report was published in the Sunday Times stating that as many as seven airlines, including Virgin, had put their stakes up for sale.

Virgin Atlantic’s director of communications Paul Charles clarified on this rumor in the market: “We are not prepared to sell our stake in Nats. We are long-term investors.”

National Air Traffic Services was privatized in 2001 and airline companies Virgin, British Airways, BMI British Midland, EasyJet, MyTravel Airways, Monarch and Thomsonfly acquired around 46 percent in the entity.

UK government continues to own 49 percent stake in this group.