BRITISH Airways was yesterday given legal clearance for the launch next week of its no-frills European airline Go, despite objections from rival low-cost operator easyJet.

High Court judge Mr Justice Tuckey refused to grant easyJet an injunction which would have effectively stopped Go's launch.

EasyJet, based at Luton, said it feared it would be put out of business by its more powerful rival at neighbouring Stansted airport because of its connections to Britain's biggest airline.

But the judge said there was no immediate threat to easyJet and concluded the injunction would cause unnecessary disruption to Go's launch plans.

He also rejected BA's argument it had no case to answer and suggested it should go for full trial.