Jun 5, 2002 Australian budget operator Virgin Blue has agreed a code-sharing deal with one of the world's biggest airlines.The deal, with America's second largest carrier, United Airlines, will help Virgin Blue to expand its operations to international routes in Asia.The discount airline, which was launched in 2000 with just two aircraft and one route, between Brisbane and Sydney, flies internal services to a number of Australia's cities.Earlier this year the UK's Virgin Group sold a 50 percent share of the airline to Australian transport giant, Patrick Corp.For United the codeshare re-establishes its links with Australia after the collapse of its former Star Alliance partner, Ansett.In a statement, United's general manager in Australia, Stephen Pearce said: "This agreement means we are now able to offer customers access to all points in Australia with easy domestic connections and smoother transfers." Leo/ORD