Virgin Atlantic this month will begin testing new procedures for reducing carbon dioxide emissions

. At London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports, its aircraft will be towed to holding areas near runways, reducing fuel burn. Virgin chairman Richard Branson introduced the concept in September and the company said it was discussing the idea with airport authorities in Los Angeles, New York JFK and San Francisco. Virgin also said it soon would enable passengers to offset carbon emissions from their travel, following the lead of British Airways.