British Airways - Iberia merger agreed
As of this morning, Airoptions has learned that British Airways and Iberia have agreed to merge to create the world’s third largest airline by revenue.The merger is expected to be completed in late 2010.
The new group would have 419 aircraft and fly to 205 destinations.
Virgin Atlantic reacted by warning of a heighted stranglehold of take off and landing slots at Heathrow “The BA/Iberia merger will increase BA’s dominance at Heathrow with 44% of take-off and landing slots this winter,” the rival said.
“It is impossible for any other airline to replicate their scale.
“Regulators in Europe and the US need to be alert to BA’s growing dominance through proposals such as its monster monopoly with American Airlines, proposals which will not be in the consumer interest.”