BRITAIN may build a £50 billion (€60.5bn) airport on the mudflats of the Thames estuary instead of expanding Heathrow as the government examines how to meet burgeoning demand for flights.

A NATIONWIDE public sector strike in Britain next Wednesday threatens to paralyse operations at Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport.

Airline passengers diverted to a holding airport on a flight from London to the US were kept on board for hours without food or water, they claimed today.

British billionaire Richard Branson is back in the business of chasing speed records on the high seas – this time with his family.

Four past and present British Airways executives were today charged with "cartel offences" by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) concerning the fixing of fuel surcharge prices on long-haul flights.

Four past and present British Airways executives are due to appear in court next month over price-fixing on fuel surcharges.

Trading chiefs are close to announcing charges against current and former British Airways executives over price-fixing on fuel surcharges.

British Airways today ended months of speculation by announcing it was to merge with long-term Spanish partner Iberia.

A pioneering US firm that organises loans between family and friends is today being rebranded to reflect British billionaire Richard Branson’s involvement in the company.

Singapore Airlines is disappointed with the returns on its investment in Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways and is now exploring options that include selling its 49% stake.

Aerospace firms from both sides of the border aiming to cut deals at the Paris Airshow this week.

The European Union’s Court of Justice today upheld a £4.7m (€6.9m) fine levied against British Airways by EU antitrust regulators for using a system that locked travel agents into selling more of its tickets at the expense of its rivals.

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary said yesterday the severe restriction imposed on airline passengers by the British Government was “handing extremists an enormous PR victory”.

The European Court of Justice should dismiss a British Airways appeal against a ruling that condemned it for paying British travel agents a sales commission plus a bonus linked to the growth of annual ticket sales, an adviser to the EU high court said today.

Virgin Atlantic Airways announced plans today to recruit a total of 1,500 staff across the UK.

A Virgin Atlantic Airways plane bound for New York from London today transmitted a false hijack alert, the airline said. The aircraft nonetheless was diverted to land in Canada, US officials said.

MRS LANGER’S Black Forest Gateau and a specially-commissioned Ryder Cup Square Pie will be on the menu for the European team en route to America with Virgin Atlantic Airways next week.

Another UK airline today increased its fuel surcharge because of the rise in oil prices.

A Virgin Atlantic Airways pilot arrested on charges of being drunk before he was due to fly a 747 jet from Washington to London, has been sentenced to 60 days in prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Virgin Atlantic Airways is delaying delivery of its new Airbus 380 superjumbos.

Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson announced plans to expand his airline with two new aircraft, extra routes and 1,400 more staff.

A Virgin Atlantic Airways pilot accused of turning up for work drunk has lost a bid to get his passport returned.

Richard Branson’s airline called today for the building of a new runway at Heathrow.

Virgin Atlantic Airways chairman Richard Branson said tonight he would try to revive Concorde after British Airways and Air France announced the fleet would be retired from service at the end of October 2003.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was today expected to announce above-inflation increases in landing charges at three major UK airports - heightening fears of an accompanying rise in air fares.

British immigration officers believe they have smashed a people smuggling ring at Heathrow airport, following eight arrests.