Virgin Atlantic mulls IPO as company looks to post-Covid future

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd is considering a public offering in London as the company gears up its business for recovery from the pandemic.

Executives have been holding discussions with bankers and potential investors, and could announce the company’s plans for an IPO as soon as the autumn, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

The decision would mark the first time since it was founded in 1984 that the public gets the chance to buy shares in billionaire Richard Branson’s flagship carrier. Virgin Airways is currently majority-owned by Branson’s Virgin Group with the remaining 49% owned by Delta Air Lines Inc.