The decision surprised many of Virgin's shareholders, many of whom believe the proposed zeppelins and other old-timey aircraft to be "wildly out of date vehicles that have no place in modern aviation," according to one upset stockbroker.
Virgin spokesperson Rick Flynn dismissed such allegations at a press conference earlier today. He argued, "What we are offering is quite simple: World Class leisure travel at fair prices. What used to be a quick five hour trans-Atlantic flight [from London to NY], can now take as long as a week at painfully slow speeds in a terrifying contraption filled with explosive gas. That's Mr. Branson's kind of excitement!"
The fledgling fleet of ten airships, four gyrocopters, and one retrofitted hot air balloon equipped with Branson's personal high-altitude hot tub, have yet to pass the International Air Transport Association's rigorous standards of inspection.
IATA General Director Giovanni Bisignani released a statement specifically challenging the safety of gyrocopters, which are exposed one man steam-powered helicopters made out of balsa wood, canvas, and steel: "I can not see how one could even learn to fly such a device without extensive knowledge of late 19th century aviation technology."
Many consumer advocacy groups are also ringing alarm bells over public safety. They cite disasters such as the Hindenburg, as well as the general resemblance of the fleet to "Nazi airships of doom." Still, others believe the "charming novelty of it all" outweighs the potential for horrendous catastrophe.
Sources close to the 'rebel billionaire' cite his numerous high altitude flights and ensuing dementia for the decision to take the 75 year-old aircrafts out of mothballs.
Never shy of controversy, Branson pledged to provide "an experience you're not going to forget."
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