Former Virgin high flyer John Thomas says airline can re-emerge as full service competitor to Qantas

One of Virgin Australia's former top executives believes the airline can re-emerge in a leaner meaner incarnation to ensure Qantas isn't handed a monopoly in Australian skies.

John Thomas - who left the embattled airline in 2017 after falling out over strategy- had been a contender to succeed then chief executive John Borghetti. 

Mr Thomas says if Virgin's administrators can find new owners and restructure $5 billion of debt, they should take Qantas on as a full service airline rather than become a budget competitor in the post COVID19 world.

I spoke with John Thomas on this morning's AM program