Branson, whose airline signed a code-share agreement with Air-India in December last year, said Virgin was also interested in picking up a stake in the national carrier.

Promising to give its competitors a run for their money, Branson said at a press conference that if British Airways, with which Virgin has had a prolonged battle not only in the market but also before the courts, brought down ticket prices as it has done during the last two weeks, his airline would fly for less.

Since British Airways had proposed a fare of about Rs 27,000 on the Delhi-London sector, Branson said Virgin would file an application with the Government for a lower fare, adding, the launch fare would be for an initial period of two to three months. At the same time, Virgin would respect the Government's sentiments on fares, since it was a regulated market, Branson said.

Earlier, the Virgin Boeing 747-400 landed at 11.35 am at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. True to his style, Branson emerged from the aircraft wearing a typical Punjabi dress and a turban, and even performed a "bhangra" dance to drum beats. "I am delighted Virgin is now able to offer flights between London and Delhi, which is a virgin territory for us," Branson said.

Branson was received at the airport by civil aviation minister Sharad Yadav, minister of state Chaman Lal Gupta, sports and youth affairs minister SS Dhindsa, and top Air-India officials.

Branson said it was too early to talk about the interest in Air-India, but the company would be more than delighted to look at the airline's offer document and bankers' reports for the sale of Government stake.

Virgin will fly twice a week between London and Delhi with a Boeing 747-200 on Air-India's unutilised frequencies.

Branson said the airline aims to ultimately fly daily between the two countries and to other Indian cities, like Mumbai and Calcutta.

Virgin will try to make sure people get back twice the amount they spend and expect from any other airline. "We also do not want to fly with empty seats," Branson said.