Press Release
December 2021

Virgin Atlantic Cargo appoints Phil Wardlaw as Vice President and Managing Director

Phil has been at Virgin Atlantic for 17 years and during this time has held numerous leadership roles within the Operations and Engineering teams, culminating in taking on the role of VP Engineering & Maintenance in 2017, with responsibility for all airworthiness, maintenance functions, supply chain management, aircraft acquisitions & returns, and fleet programs including B787, A350 and A339. Phil succeeds Dominic Kennedy, who takes on the role of Senior Vice President Revenue Management, Distribution & Holidays role at the airline in January 2022.

Commenting on his new position, Phil said: “I am incredibly excited to take on this new challenge at Virgin Atlantic Cargo. The team is absolutely fantastic and has played a pivotal role in the airline’s survival following the emergence of Covid-19. From operating cargo only flying for the first time ever, launching new cargo destinations and transporting vital PPE and equipment for the NHS, the list of milestones goes on. November 2021 was the cargo team’s best-ever trading month and I look forward to helping to build on this to achieve future success.”

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic commented: “We are delighted to welcome Phil to Virgin Atlantic Cargo. I know he’ll bring incredible passion and energy as well as a wealth of experience to this new role. I look forward to working closely with him, leading our cargo business into its next phase. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Dominic for his exceptional leadership of the cargo team to welcome him to his new role within the airline”

Virgin Atlantic Cargo played a vital role in the airline’s survival following the Covid-19 pandemic, keeping global supply chains running and transporting essential goods around the world. On 21st March 2020, the first ever cargo only flight in Virgin Atlantic’s history took to the skies and over the next 12 months, the airline’s cargo business went from strength to strength operating over 5,000 cargo only sectors, launching 12 new routes as well as carrying over 8.5 million kilos of PPE and essential equipment for the NHS. 2020 was a record year for cargo performance, with revenue of £319m, up 49% year on year.

ENDS

For further information please contact the Virgin Atlantic press office on 01293 747373 or email press.office@fly.virgin.com.

About Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2021, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the fifth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 6,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 27 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.

Sustainability remains central to the airline and since September 2019, Virgin Atlantic has welcomed seven brand new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, helping to transform the fleet into one of the youngest, quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky. By 2022, the airline will operate a streamlined fleet of 38 twin engine aircraft following the retirement of its B747-400s and A340-600s, making its simplified fleet 10% more efficient than before the Covid-19 crisis impacted. For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.