Virgin finds a suitor

Virgin Atlantic is being circled by a number of airlines as consolidation in the beleaguered sector looks set to continue, it was reported yesterday.

Air France-KLM and America's Delta are understood to be trying to tempt Sir Richard Branson's airline to join their transatlantic SkyTeam alliance. The joint venture, which was set up in May 2009, allows partners to share revenues and costs and to co-ordinate their flight schedules.

But the consortium faces competition from airline Etihad of Abu Dhabi.