Virgin Blue CEO not worried who controls airline

Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey today said he does not care who controls the airline because it is his management team that ultimately runs the show.

Virgin Group boss Richard Branson today reiterated that he had plans if he wins control of the airline in the fallout of a successful takeover of Patrick Corp by Toll Holdings.

But Mr Godfrey says what happens at the shareholder level will not affect the running of the carrier.

"I have always believed that the management runs this company and puts forward the strategy to the board to be rejected or accepted," he said.

"That was the case when Virgin Group controlled the company and that is the case with Patrick Corp."

Patrick holds a controlling stake in Virgin Blue but that is set to be partially sold off to entities controlled by Sir Richard if Toll's A$4.6 billion ($4.9 billion) takeover succeeds.

"We look to our board for guidance and we look to our board for strategic involvement and discussion but we certainly don't look to them for day to day ideas on how to improve the airline," Mr Godfrey said.

Asked if he hoped the Patrick/Toll stoush would be resolved by the end of the year, Mr Godfrey said: "I don't know, I don't really care.

"Really at the end of the day what happens at shareholder level doesn't affect the running of it (Virgin Blue).

"If Patrick remain in control I'm hoping they are still happy with my performance, if Virgin Group or anyone else get control I'm hoping to impress upon them my credentials," he said.

"People are far too generous in terms of the praise for how shareholders influence a company -- it is really the people that are put there to run it and come up with the concepts that deliver on those."

Sir Richard has said that he is confident Toll will succeed and that the outcome will be known by the end of the year.

He has also said he plans to start Virgin Blue services on long-haul international routes, introduce freight services and programs to attract more business passengers.

Sir Richard also wants management to set up a fuel hedging program.

Virgin Blue shares are up one cent at A$1.56.

- AAP