Virgin Atlantic blew the whistle on an alleged price-fixing cartel with British Airways because it wanted to win the race for immunity and save itself millions of pounds, a British court heard today.

Four British Airways executives fixed the price of fuel surcharges in a secret deal with Virgin Atlantic, a court heard today.

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.