![Virgin Atlantic (Image: Max Thrust Digital) Virgin Atlantic (Image: Max Thrust Digital)](https://ukaviation.news/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_0294-678x381.jpg)
The Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group (MAG) Charlie Cornish has written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak to lobby in support of a government deal to bail out Virgin Atlantic (VS/VIR).
MAG joins Airbus and Rolls-Royce in supporting the airline which is owned by Richard Bransons’ Virgin Atlantic Limited (51%) and America’s Delta Airlines (49%).
Virgin carries almost 1 million people every year from Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC) to destinations in the US including New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
![Manchester AIrport (Image: MAG)](https://ukaviation.news/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mag-manchesterairport-reghuftoncrow-059-2-1024x683.jpg)
In the letter Mr Cornish says that Virgin “directly benefits” Manchester and the surrounding region.
The UK Government has already agreed a deal to support low-cost carrier Easyjet (U2/EZY) but has warned airlines that they must seek commercial help first.
Any request for government support will be looked at on a case by case basis.
Like most airlines Virgin Atlantic have all but stopped operations during the coronavirus pandemic but public support for a bail out seems low fro Virgin with many calling for Richard Branson to step in and give the airline he started a lifeline instead of the UK Government.
Virgin Atlantic was also part of a consortium with Stobart Group that took and struggling regional airline Flybe which it allowed to finally collapse earlier this year.