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BA and Iberia hold merger talks BA and Iberia hold merger talks
(20 minutes later)
British Airways and Spain's Iberia are holding talks on a possible merger, the two airlines have said.British Airways and Spain's Iberia are holding talks on a possible merger, the two airlines have said.
The firms said the British Airways and Iberia brands would be retained as part of a combined group under the plans.The firms said the British Airways and Iberia brands would be retained as part of a combined group under the plans.
BA boss Willie Walsh said the proposed merger would help the airlines in the current economic environment.BA boss Willie Walsh said the proposed merger would help the airlines in the current economic environment.
The companies said it would take several months to reach an agreement on the terms of the merger. The news boosted BA's share price by 8%. The companies said it would take several months to reach an agreement on the terms of the merger. The news boosted BA's share price by 7.5%.
Mr Walsh said the merger was an attractive proposition for BA, which, like other airlines, is struggling with sky-high fuel costs Mr Walsh said the merger was an attractive proposition for BA, which, like other airlines, is struggling with sky-high fuel costs.
"The aviation landscape is changing and airline consolidation is long overdue," he said."The aviation landscape is changing and airline consolidation is long overdue," he said.
Iberia flies to 109 destinations and its Madrid hub acts as the European gateway to Latin America.
"A merger would be good news for our customers " said Iberia's chairman and chief executive Fernando Conte.
Co-operation
BA is bigger than its Spanish rival in stock market terms, with a market value of £2.9bn. By contrast, Iberia is worth 1.63bn euros (£1.3bn).
Iberia will retain its brand under the proposed merger
The two airlines have a 10-year history of co-operation and are both members of the Oneworld alliance.The two airlines have a 10-year history of co-operation and are both members of the Oneworld alliance.
BA acquired an 9% stake in Iberia in 1999 and recently increased its holding to 13.2%. Last year, BA considered a takeover move for Iberia in tandem with a number of private equity firms, but later pulled out of the plans.
BA acquired a 9% stake in Iberia in 1999 and recently increased its holding to 13.2%.
Iberia recently bought a 2.99% stake in BA.Iberia recently bought a 2.99% stake in BA.
Testing times
British Airways has been beset by problems in 2008.
In addition to high fuel prices, its pilots have threatened to strike over the launch of a new subsidiary and the opening of Terminal 5 was regarded as a disaster.
Staff at the new terminal were not able to get into work, thousands of bags were mislaid and flights were cancelled.