Air France-KLM has resorted to legal action to prevent Ryanair establishing its first French hub in Marseilles, a move seen as a serious threat to France's national carrier, according to the UK's Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper did not name its source, but said Air France has filed a case at France's top civil court, the Conseil d'Etat, alleging that Marseilles airport is breaching the law by offering discount airlines cut-price fees at its second, no-frills terminal.

Ryanair plans to build a far-reaching network at the new hub in Marseilles, serving three cities in Morocco to cater to the large North African community in Provence.

Eleven new routes will be in operation from November, with a target of 1.2 mln passengers within two years.

Two crews and a brace of 733-800s will be based at the hub, which will link Norway, Germany and Britain to Provence.