Virgin launches inquiry into safety standards criticism

Virgin Atlantic has launched an inquiry into claims made by some of its staff on the Facebook social network website regarding the carrier’s safety standards.

The airline is investigating the allegations made by “a small group” of its staff, which were then posted on the popular site as “malicious” comments.

Comments related to the airlines planes operating from London’s Gatwick Airport and about passengers, a spokesman for the airline said. The comments have been removed from the website.

Virgin Atlantic has five Boeing 747s based at Gatwick that acquired in 2001 from Boeing.

The Virgin Atlantic spokesman noted: “The airline has started an immediate disciplinary investigation. Virgin Atlantic does not tolerate any criticism of its passengers or industry-leading safety standards and is taking this matter very seriously.”

He added: “Safety is the airline’s top priority and we operate our fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ and safety authorities’ recommendations and regulations.”

Virgin Atlantic’s “stringent maintenance regime” involves the routine change of engines as one means of ensuring efficient and safe performance, the spokesman stressed.

He also commented about cleanliness and hygiene standards, assuring passengers that the carrier maintains “very high standards of hygiene” on its aircraft. “Aircraft are cleaned following each flight, as well as deep-cleaned on a regular basis.”

Thanks to news.bbc.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.virgin-atlantic.com