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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| BA warned 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. |
| It follows indications from the Australian government earlier in the day that it may be prepared to relax the rules on foreign ownership. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| BA held a stake in Qantas between 1993 and 2004, when it sold its 18.25% stake to raise money to pay off some of its debt. |