Sir Richard Branson - the founder and President of Virgin Atlantic, has sought permission to start a domestic airline in India.

He hopes the Indian government will change its rules on allowing foreigners to run local services, he told reporters in New Delhi.

India's air passenger travel is expanding at about 25% a year as economic growth and higher disposable incomes allow more people to switch from train travel.

At least six discount carriers have started flights in the country of 1.1 billion people, hoping to capitalise on air travel growth that will outpace the global average until 2025, according to government estimates.

However, India does not allow overseas airlines to hold stakes in local airlines directly or indirectly.

Sir Richard said: 'There should be no barriers to the entry of any company... this is in the interest of the consumer.'

Virgin Atlantic currently has domestic services in Australia with Virgin Blue, in the US with Virgin America and in Africa with Virgin Nigeria.

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