Their T-shirts said it all :"We're floating." Virgin Blue president for life Sir Richard B

Their T-shirts said it all :"We're floating."

Virgin Blue president for life Sir Richard Branson, chief executive Brett Godfrey and major shareholder Chris Corrigan of Patrick Corporation on Tuesday kicked off one of the year's biggest Australian share market floats.

With optimism and a few well aimed swipes at Qantas, the trio, who halfway through the media briefing took off their shirts to reveal their "we're floating" slogans, outlined the $A500 million-plus float.

Virgin Blue is the owner of Pacific Blue which set up base in Christchurch in September and will start flights to Brisbane on January 29 and to Melbourne on March 4.

On a podium surrounded by six Virgin Blue hostesses, Branson confessed "it seems a little unreal".

"Three years ago in August 2000, Virgin Blue had 300 start-up staff, two red jets and it was one exciting moment in Australian aviation history," he said.

"Three years ago Geoff Dixon of Qantas publicly warned us to keep out, saying— 'there are no rivers of gold in Australia'."

The Brisbane-based airline now employs around 3,000 people; the Company has 28% of the total domestic market share and 40 new aircraft, operating 37 routes.

The carrier has also seen off rivals Ansett and Impulse, the effects of September 11 and a rising Australian dollar and yet still managed to make a profit.

Branson said he was pleased the Australian traveling public and employees will now have the chance to build the airline.

"We're delighted to have them sailing with us in Australia's golden rivers," he said.

The airline will be valued at $A2.3 billion when it's floated, making the major shareholders and many of the senior management at Virgin Blue multi-millionaires.

While the trio were understandably shy in putting a figure on their wealth, Branson will get tens of millions for the sale of his shares and still have a $A730 million stake in the company.

Godfrey's share holdings when the company is floated will be worth around $A78 million.

But as Branson said: "Without Brett there wouldn't be an airline."

"Yes, he will do well out of it. He deserves it." Characteristically while Branson and Godfrey took centre stage Corrigan, looking the least comfortable of the trio in a T-shirt, kept a low profile.

"I didn't expect to get any questions," he said smiling. "I'm just here for my good looks." After toughing it out in negotiations with Branson on share holding restrictions, Patrick Corporation will sit on a paper profit of $A780 million from a $A260 million investment.

What is implied about the scope of business of Qantas？

A．Fashion design.

B．Dealing with stocks

C．Airlines

D．Shipping