LONDON - British airways-owner IAG said it has filed a complaint with the EU about UK government support for Flybe which helped stave off the regional carrier's collapse.

The airline group has asked the European Union's Directorate-General for Competition to look into whether UK support for Flybe constitutes a breach of EU rules over providing state aid.

IAG's chief executive Willie Walsh has publicly criticised support agreed by the UK government on Tuesday as a misuse of public funds.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle) ((sarah.young@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7542 1109; Reuters Messaging: sarah.young.thomsonreuters@reuters.net))