CHICAGO-
Virgin Atlantic Airways founder Sir Richard Branson says he’s bringing his planes back to Chicago and wants to reduce fuel consumption by towing them to and from runways.
Beginning in April, Virgin Atlantic will offer daily service between London’s Heathrow Airport and O’Hare International Airport. The airline cut that route after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to be here to stay,” said Branson, a British business mogul who also is involved in environmental causes.
Virgin Atlantic currently flies to 27 destinations worldwide and carried 5 million passengers last year.
Branson said towing airplanes would reduce the time jet engines run, saving fuel and cutting emissions. Under Branson’s plan, planes would be towed to a holding area closer to the runway, where engines would be started for takeoff.
Mayor Richard M. Daley said the city was willing to study the idea and would talk to federal aviation officials about it. One consideration is whether towing would slow operations at O’Hare, where delays have a ripple effect around the country.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro said many questions about safety and efficiency must be resolved.
Planes aren’t all Branson dabbles in. The tycoon is also in the music business with his Virgin Megastores.
But Branson acknowledges brick-and-mortar music stores likes his must evolve to stay alive in an era of music downloads. He knows it won’t be easy and says there could be a time when music stores disappear.
“Hopefully, Virgin Megastores will be the last, the last standing,” he said.
