Simon Calder: Why Branson?s fresh ideas were Virgin territory

Success in aviation is a matter of learning from mistakes ? preferably other people?s. Flying is so safe because the causes of crashes have been studied intensely for the benefit of future travellers. Commercially, there have been many fatal errors. The list of failed airlines is much longer than the table of successes. Recent collapses among UK carriers provide the useful, if predictable, lessons that ?stand-alone business class doesn?t work? (Silverjet) and ?the Isle of Thanet cannot sustain its own airline? (EUjet).

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