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BA is in merger talks with Qantas BA is in merger talks with Qantas
(10 minutes later)
British Airways has said that it is exploring a potential merger with the Australian flag-carrier Qantas Airways.British Airways has said that it is exploring a potential merger with the Australian flag-carrier Qantas Airways.
The British flag-carrier cautioned that there was "no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming".The British flag-carrier cautioned that there was "no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming".
In a statement, BA said that the merger would be through the creation of a dual-listed company, so it would be listed in London and Australia.In a statement, BA said that the merger would be through the creation of a dual-listed company, so it would be listed in London and Australia.
BA said that its discussions with the Spanish flag-carrier Iberia are also still continuing.BA said that its discussions with the Spanish flag-carrier Iberia are also still continuing.
The future of Qantas has been uncertain since an 11bn Australian dollar ($7.1bn; £4.8bn) bid for it from Airline Partners Australia (APA) collapsed last year due to lack of support from shareholders.
There is an EU investigation underway into a proposed revenue sharing deal between BA and American Airlines, which would allow them to agree fares, routes and schedules together.
It is a time of consolidation in the airline sector, which was hit by the high prices of fuel earlier in the year and is vulnerable to the economic downturn.