The chief executive of IAG, which owns Aer Lingus and BA, says the company is considering taking legal action against the UK government’s quarantine plans.

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this week announced details of a plan to quarantine inbound air travellers for 14 days.

'Disproportionate'

Dublin 9 native Willie Walsh (pictured), who is a former Aer Lingus chief executive, told Sky News the new rules would "torpedo" BA's chances of flying in July.

"We think it is irrational, we think it is disproportionate and we are giving consideration to a legal challenge to this legislation," he added.

Walsh said the industry was facing its "most difficult challenge", saying BA flew only 485 passenger flights last month.

Ireland

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has also been scathing in his criticism of the quarantine plan, describing it as “ineffective and useless”.

In Ireland, Government guidelines asking those who arrive in Ireland to self-isolate for a period of 14 days remain in place.

The Government is also looking at further quarantine measures, but Health Minister Simon Harris has said that making it mandatory to self-isolate is "tricky, legally".