Does this Virgin consortium actually exist or is it just the SRB publicity machine?…

Well at first I think it was a bit difficult to tell…but this news article from 30/11/08 seems to suggest Virgin are interested in putting a bid together, but it does not mention EasyJet, so not sure if they are involved or not?

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/gatwick-airport-news-301108a.htm

Virgin don’t need to own LGW in order to operate more flights there.

Of course I know this, but if they did win the bid, they would naturally increase the no. of services they provided from the airport in order to put as much pressure on BA as possible, but until they know the actual outcome, I dont see them adding any new routes just yet.

If they are successful though I could easily see a JFK/EWR route being one of the first to be introduced, and possibly LAX, ORD & MIA as other possible routes to be launched soon after.