Hundreds of new jobs will be created at Virgin Atlantic's West Sussex headquarters, Sir Richard Branson announced today.

Expansion of the airline, which includes new routes and increased frequency to other destinations, will create a total of 1,400 jobs, including 300 at its Crawley HQ.

Starting in July 2005, the new routes will include twice-a-week services to Havana, Cuba.

The new jobs will include 700 cabin crew and 70 flight-deck positions at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with recruitment starting immediately.

Virgin is increasing frequencies on American, Caribbean, Asian and Far East routes and has also ordered two more Airbus A340-600 aircraft.

Sir Richard said: "Following the last recession, Virgin Atlantic had annual double-digit growth from 1993-2000 and we aim to match this level in the next few years.

"There are encouraging signs that the market - particularly the all-important business travel sector - is returning to health."

Sir Richard went on to say: "I am delighted we're launching two new routes and I'm sure both Cuba and the Bahamas will be extremely popular with our passengers.

"Virgin Atlantic is entering a period of significant expansion with new routes, more capacity on existing routes and new aircraft.

"The next year promises to be an exciting one, not only for Virgin Atlantic but also for any new recruits joining the company."

Virgin will be flying twice a week between Gatwick and Havana from July 21, 2005, and once a week between Gatwick and Nassau in the Bahamas from July 18, 2005.

This will bring the airline's total number of destinations to 25.

Also from July next year, Virgin will fly two services from Gatwick to the Caribbean islands of Grenada and Tobago as well as operating an extra, fifth, weekly service between Gatwick and Las Vegas.

In October 2005, it will add an extra daily service between Gatwick and Orlando in Florida.