AIRLINE Virgin Australia has gone into voluntary administration a day after its minority shareholder Sir Richard Branson made a fresh plea to the British government to help him save Virgin Atlantic.

About 16,000 jobs are hanging in limbo after Australian PM Scott Morrison denied Virgin Australia’s request for a £710 million bailout to keep it afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

The company made the announcement of voluntary administration today in a statement to the Australian stock exchange after a board meeting of the firm’s international shareholders, who voted against providing more financial support.