Virgin Atlantic scored a
publicity coup over strike threatened rival British Airways by
being named Official Airline to the England World Cup
squad.
The carrier is providing the
England football team with its own aircraft which will fly from
Heathrow to Johannesburg on June 2.
The Airbus A340-600 will
carry the England manager and his 23 man squad along with its key
support team in preparation for the tournament kick off on June 11
and England's first game the following day.
The FA is to offset the
carbon emissions generated from its travel to and from the
tournament.
The organisation is working
with the Department of Energy and Climate Change to identify
suitable projects to support.
Details of this arrangement
will be announced by before the World Cup.
Airline president Sir Richard
Branson said: "It is a great honour for Virgin Atlantic to be
carrying the England team to Johannesburg."
Football Association chief
executive Ian Watmore said: "I am delighted that we are able to
launch England's campaign in South Africa in such a high quality
manner and we are very pleased to be in the capable hands of Sir
Richard and Virgin Atlantic.
"It is a winning combination
and I hope that bodes well for the tournament."
