BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb.21, 2002(PRIMEZONE) -- Virgin Express (Nasdaq:VIRGY)(Euronext Brussels:VIRE) announces the launch of two new routes. As from March 30, Virgin Express will offer daily flights from its Brussels hub to both Lisbon and Athens. Lisbon will be the second Portuguese destination of Virgin Express. Athens, which will host the Olympic Games 2004, is the first Greek city served by the low fare carrier.
Since the demise of Sabena no Belgian airline is flying to Lisbon or Athens. The carriers, which are present on these routes, have taken advantage of their monopoly position to keep prices unreasonably high. By means of its low fare structure Virgin Express wants to put an end to this consumer-unfriendly situation by offering "value for money" to the travelers on these routes.
From the summer season 2002, which starts on March 30, 2002, Virgin Express will operate daily flights to both cities with a Boeing 737-300. If demand justifies larger aircraft on these markets, Virgin Express will operate 737-400s.
Algarve
The other Portuguese route, Brussels-Faro, which was launched last autumn, has proved very popular. All expectations were swiftly met. As a result Virgin Express has decided to operate four return flights a week between Brussels and Faro commencing 30th March 2002.
From its Brussels hub, Virgin Express will connect the heart of Europe with the seven main European capitals (Athens, Copenhagen, Lisbon, London (via Heathrow), Madrid, Rome and Stockholm) also operates flights to Barcelona, Faro, Geneva, Gothenburg, Malaga, Milan-Linate, Nice and Zurich.
In 2001 the Belgian low-fare carrier carried more than 2.5 million passengers.