Over 3,000 jobs will be created in West Sussex over the next five years as Virgin Atlantic expands its fleet and work force.
Sir Richard Branson's airline has ordered 13 new A340-600s Airbus planes in a £3bn deal that will create 6,000 new jobs across the UK.
Sir Richard said: "The head office is in Crawley so of the 6,000 jobs at least half should be in the region.
"It will mean a considerable number of new jobs created for the area."
Noise disruption
Virgin will start taking delivery of the of the Airbus planes in 2006.
It already has five A340-600s and six superjumbo Airbus A380s on order.
The expansion will increase the number of long haul routes and destinations in the Virgin schedule.
Sir Richard said noise disturbance for residents who live near Gatwick airport would be minimal because of the quality of the new planes.
Services at Heathrow and Manchester airports will also expand.
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