Virgin close to merger with Belgian airline

Richard Branson’s Virgin express airline is thought to be close to a merger with a subsidiary of beleaguered Belgian airline, Sabena.

Investors reportedly paid a symbolic one euro for Delta Air Transport on Friday and are said to want to join forces with Brussels-based Virgin.

Virgin Express, set up by Richard Branson in 1996 when he bought EuroBelgian Airlines, currently operates a low-cost service to 14 European destinations.

Virgin express is said to have had an upsurge since the demise of Sabena.

The new airline is expected to be smaller than Sabena but would run services to America and Africa as well as Europe.