US: Airline tycoons have paid tribute to the "pioneer of low-cost travel", Sir Freddie Laker, who has died at the age of 83.
Sir Freddie, whose cheap fares opened up a new era in air travel in the 1970s, died of undisclosed causes in Miami.
Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson led tributes to the entrepreneur, saying he had enabled thousands of people to fly "who had never had the chance before him".
Sir Freddie set up the Laker Skytrain in 1977, charging £118 for a ticket from London to New York.
But competitors forced Skytrain out of business in 1982. A court later ruled that other airlines had used illegal price pressure on Sir Freddie's company.
Ordinary members of the public donated more than £1 million in an unsuccessful attempt to keep his business afloat.
Sir Richard told the Press Association: "Sir Freddie was one of Britain's greatest entrepreneurs.
"He made his first fortune during the Berlin Airlift, personally flying hundreds of cargo planes into Berlin to keep the city open.
"He went on to be the pioneer of low-cost travel, enabling thousands to fly who had never had the chance before him. He was driven out of business by British Airways and paid £10 million by them in compensation."
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said: "The airline industry is missing one of its greatest pilots, but his spirit lives on at Ryanair, the lowest-fares airline."