A Solvent Recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic
Airline positions itself for post Covid-19 future

Virgin Atlantic has reached a major milestone towards securing its future today, by announcing plans for a
private-only solvent recapitalisation of the airline, following the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on
the global economy, the nation and the travel and aviation industry.

A Solvent Recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has taken a big step forward in securing its future, by launching a court backed process as part
of a solvent recapitalisation of the airline and holiday business, with a Restructuring Plan that once approved
and implemented, will keep Virgin Atlantic flying.

The Restructuring Plan is based on a five year business plan, and with the support of shareholders Virgin
Group and Delta, new private investors and existing creditors, it paves the way for the airline to rebuild its
balance sheet and return to profitability from 2022.

The recapitalisation will deliver a refinancing package worth c.£1.2bn over the next 18 months in addition to
the self-help measures already taken, including cost savings of c.£280m per year and c.£880m rephasing and
financing of aircraft deliveries over the next five years.

Shareholders are providing c.£600m in support over the life of The Plan including a £200m
investment from Virgin Group, and the deferral of c.£400m of shareholder deferrals and waivers.

Virgin Atlantic welcomes new partner Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP, a global
institutional investment management firm which is providing £170m of secured financing. Creditors will support the airline with over £450m of deferrals.

The airline continues to have the support of credit card acquirers (Merchant Service Providers)
Lloyd’s Cardnet and First Data.

To secure approval from all relevant creditors before implementation, the Restructuring Plan will go through
a court-sanctioned process under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Restructuring Plan”). With
support already secured from the majority of stakeholders, it’s expected that the Restructuring Plan and
recapitalisation will come into effect late Summer 2020.

Decisive action underpins the Restructuring Plan
Global aviation was one of the first industries impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and will be one of the last
to fully recover. From the start, the airline took decisive action to ensure its survival. In March, the Leadership
Team took voluntary pay cuts and since April, more than 80% of the workforce has benefitted from the
Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, supporting efforts to preserve cash and minimise costs. In
Q2, flying fell by 98% and in the second half of 2020, capacity is expected to reduce by at least 60% compared
to 2019, with pre-crisis levels of flying unlikely to return until 2023. With the suspension of passenger flying
in April, the airline delivered an unparalleled network of cargo-only flying, operating more than 1400 cargo
flights in April, May and June.

In May, the difficult decision was taken to reshape and resize in order to emerge from the crisis sustainably
profitable, and regrettably the airline had to reduce the number of people it employs by 3,5501 across all
functions.

Having closed its London Gatwick base, while retaining a slot portfolio at the airport to protect opportunities
for future growth, leisure flying is now consolidated at London Heathrow and Manchester. By 2022 Virgin
Atlantic will fly the same number of sectors as 2019 despite its smaller scale, demonstrating productivity and
efficiency improvements. The airline will operate a streamlined fleet of 37 twin engine aircraft following the
retirement of 7 x 747s and 4 x A332s by Q1 2022, with rescheduled delivery of outstanding A350s and A339s.

Returning to the skies
From 20 July Virgin Atlantic will restart passenger flying and has a vital role to play in supporting the UK
economy as it recovers from the impact of the pandemic. Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays will
continue to support global supply chains and flying customers safely to the places they love to travel. While
demand will be slow to recover, Virgin Atlantic will ensure its customers always feel confident to fly by
continuing to prioritise the health, safety and security of its people and customers throughout their journey.
Sustainability remains central to the airline, and its simplified fleet will be 10% more efficient than it was precrisis.
Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic commented: “Few could have predicted the scale of the Covid-19 crisis we
have witnessed and undoubtedly, the last six months have been the toughest we have faced in our 36-year
history. We have taken painful measures, but we have accomplished what many thought impossible. The
solvent recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic will ensure that we can continue to provide vital connectivity and
competition to consumers and businesses in Britain and beyond. We greatly appreciate the support of our
shareholders, creditors and new private investors and together, we will ensure that Virgin Atlantic can
emerge a sustainably profitable airline, with a healthy balance sheet.

“Once our plan is approved, we will continue to focus on providing our customers with the service they have
come to expect. Despite the incredible efforts of our teams, through cancelled flights and delayed refunds
we have not lived up to the high standards we set ourselves, but we will do everything in our power to earn
back their trust.

“While we must not underestimate the challenges ahead and the need to continuously respond to this crisis,
I know that now, more than ever before, our people are what sets us apart. I have been humbled by their
support and unwavering solidarity throughout. The pursuit of our vision continues and that is down to each
one of them.”