Virgin Galactic's potential is cosmic

SIR Richard Branson claims Virgin Galactic has the potential to become one of his most profitable ventures.

Facebook, Facebook profits, Facebook online advertising, Facebook advertising, Facebook mobile, Sir Richard Branson says space tourism could be his most profitable venture [GETTY]

The space tourism firm will launch “earlier than most people expect” according to the tycoon, and has advance bookings from 800 passengers.

The billionaire said: “The rockets are ready and the fundamental boxes have now been ticked, so I am hopeful we’ve got a nice surprise for those people coming.

It could become one of the most profitable firms we have ever launched

Sir Richard Branson

“It’s the most exciting company we’ve ever launched and one day we’re going to be competing with British Airways point-to-point via space.

“It could become one of the most profitable firms we have ever launched.”

Branson’s airline Virgin Atlantic is poised to turn a profit in 2014 following two years of losses.

Chief executive Craig Kreeger added that the firm plans to be making more than £100 million in profits by 2018.

He said: “We expect to be profitable in 2014, and that is a great step to earning competitive returns.”

However, limited capacity at Heathrow is proving to be restrictive.

Branson said: “Britain needs two extra runways at Heathrow and one more at Gatwick, but we have not had politicians willing to make decisions like that and my instinct is that we won’t in the future.”

The Airports Commission’s decision on increasing capacity is due in 2015.

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