Delta Air Lines is looking to take control of Virgin Atlantic after making an approach to the airline’s big Asian shareholder.
The American airline is understood to have offered to buy Singapore Airlines’ 49% holding in Virgin, reports the Sunday Times.
If successful, Delta’s European partner, Air France-KLM may buy part of Sir Richard Branson’s 51% share, which would see him give up control of the airline.
Air France-KLM would be involved to comply with aviation rules which states European airlines must be controlled by European nationals.
Delta and Air France-KLM came close to a deal with Virgin in February 2011 but talks broke down.
Virgin, which has headquarters in Gatwick, has a fleet of 40 aircraft and flies about 6 million passengers a year.
The airline is looking for a new chief executive after Steve Ridgway announced he was stepping down next year, see previous story.
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