Branson hits out at airline alliance

The Virgin Atlantic boss said the proposed venture – which would be in association with Iberia as part of merger plans – should be blocked by Brussels.

Sir Richard said that he would consider some form of "legal process" if the European Commission rules against him.

"We actually believe the Commission should just say 'No way BA-AA'," he said.

"The way the commission is currently going about it is fundamentally flawed and misguided, and, to be honest, it's rather a lazy approach."

He added that the transatlantic joint venture should be treated as a merger like the tie-up between BA and Iberia, which was formally agreed last week.

The deal between the UK and Spanish carriers will create one of the world's largest airline groups with 408 aircraft carrying more than 58 million passengers a year.

BA believes the agreement will benefit consumers by improving connections and flight schedules, although Sir Richard has criticised the link-up as "bad for passengers, bad for competition and bad for the UK and US aviation industry".