Richard Branson blames foolish leaders and wars for high oil prices and airfares
Sir Richard Branson says unnecessary wars, including the Iran conflict, are keeping oil prices and airfares high, as Virgin Atlantic prepares to fly Olympic athletes to LA 2028.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Sir Richard Branson has blamed 'foolish leaders' and unnecessary wars for keeping oil prices and airfares high, as his airline Virgin Atlantic announced it will fly Olympic and Paralympic athletes to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The role, usually carried out by British Airways, was confirmed in an exclusive interview with the BBC. Branson said he was delighted, and that Virgin already operates three flights a day to Los Angeles, with more likely to be added during the Games.
On costs, he said the airline competes on both price and quality, and hoped fares would not rise much. But he acknowledged that oil and jet fuel prices remain very high, and that Virgin had introduced a fuel surcharge earlier this year.
He said that surcharge would not stay because 'foolish leaders do not continue to start wars', calling the Iran conflict 'completely unnecessary'. He argued that the war had pushed up oil prices worldwide and contributed to inflation.
Branson said he could not believe leaders would allow the situation to continue, as it affects everyone's pockets. If it does not resolve, he warned, airfares may become more expensive next summer. He noted that in cases of war, oil prices go up, and with the straits almost closed, prices may stay up. But he remained hopeful that 'sense will prevail' and oil prices would come down quickly.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Branson said the Iran conflict was unnecessary and led to higher oil prices and inflation. | |
| Branson said Virgin Atlantic operates three daily flights to Los Angeles and may add more during the Olympics. | |
| Virgin Atlantic will transport Olympic and Paralympic athletes to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a role typically held by British Airways. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This channel presented an exclusive interview with Branson, focusing on his outspoken criticism of world leaders and the Iran conflict, while also highlighting Virgin Atlantic's new Olympic contract. The tone was neutral but gave Branson ample space to explain his views on oil prices and airfares. It also included a light-hearted exchange about British Airways.
- “It won't be here to stay because foolish leaders do not continue to start wars and the Iran conflict was completely unnecessary.”
- “I just can't believe that our leaders will be so stupid as to allow the current situation to remain for much longer because it's affecting everybody's pocket all over the world and it needs to be resolved.”
- “In cases of war, oil prices go up and with the straits have almost closed, oil prices may well stay up if this continues but I'm hopeful that sense will prevail and it will be resolved and then I think oil prices will come down quite quickly.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.