British Airways

CEO of British Airways, Willie Walsh, speaks during the launch of a joint venture between British Airways, Iberia, and American Airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

CEO of British Airways, Willie Walsh, speaks during the launch of a joint venture between British Airways, Iberia, and American Airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

A British Airways employee waits to provide a microphone to journalists during the launch of a joint venture between British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

A British Airways aircraft taxis past other parked British Airways aircraft at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport in west London, on July 30, 2010. British Airways said on Friday its net losses widened to 122 million pounds in its first quarter as strike action and the volcanic ash cloud grounded flights but insisted it was set to break even. BA, which is looking to merge with Spain's Iberia, said losses after tax rose 15 percent to the equivalent of 146 million euros or 191 million dollars in the three months to June compared with a year earlier.

A British Airways aircraft takes off from Heathrow Airport in west London. British Airways (BA) said on Friday its net losses widened to 122 million pounds in its first quarter as strike action and the volcanic ash cloud grounded flights but insisted it was set to break even. BA, which is looking to merge with Spain's Iberia, said losses after tax rose 15 percent to the equivalent of 146 million euros or 191 million dollars in the three months to June compared with a year earlier.

The CEO of British Airways Willie Walsh (L) shakes hand with his counterpart of Iberia Antonio Vazquez on November 30, 2010 before a press conference in Madrid. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

The CEO of British Airways Willie Walsh (2nd L) shakes hand with his counterpart of Iberia Antonio Vazquez (2nd R) on November 30, 2010 before a press conference in Madrid. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

A British Airways passenger jet takes off from Terminal 5, at Heathrow Airport, west of London, on October 29, 2010. British Airways on Friday posted net profits of 107 millions pounds for the first six months of the group's financial year, its first interim profit for two years, as revenues rose and non-fuel costs fell. The impressive result, equivalent to 122 millions euros or 170 million dollars, compared with a net loss of 217 million pounds in the six months to September 2009, the airline said in a results statement.

A British Airways plane taxis past an Iberia plane at Heathrow Airport west of London, on November 13, 2009. British Airways needs to merge with Spanish carrier Iberia to retain its global ranking and avoid being sidelined as crisis drives airline tie-ups and cost cuts, its top manager said on Friday. The deal will create a huge group, since Iberia is rich in routes to Latin America where several economies have strong emerging market status.

The CEO of British Airways Willie Walsh (2nd L) shakes hand with his counterpart of Iberia Antonio Vazquez (2nd R) on November 30, 2010 before a press conference in Madrid. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

A British Airways passenger jet prepares to land at Heathrow Airport, west of London, on October 29, 2010. British Airways on Friday posted net profits of 107 millions pounds for the first six months of the group's financial year, its first interim profit for two years, as revenues rose and non-fuel costs fell. The impressive result, equivalent to 122 millions euros or 170 million dollars, compared with a net loss of 217 million pounds in the six months to September 2009, the airline said in a results statement.

A British Airways plane taxis past an Iberia plane at Heathrow Airport west of London, on November 13, 2009. British Airways needs to merge with Spanish carrier Iberia to retain its global ranking and avoid being sidelined as crisis drives airline tie-ups and cost cuts, its top manager said on Friday. The deal will create a huge group, since Iberia is rich in routes to Latin America where several economies have strong emerging market status.

A British Airways passenger jet takes off from Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, west of London, on October 29, 2010. British Airways on Friday posted net profits of 107 millions pounds for the first six months of the group's financial year, its first interim profit for two years, as revenues rose and non-fuel costs fell. The impressive result, equivalent to 122 millions euros or 170 million dollars, compared with a net loss of 217 million pounds in the six months to September 2009, the airline said in a results statement.

British Airways aircraft sit parked at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport in west London. British Airways (BA) said on Friday its net losses widened to 122 million pounds in its first quarter as strike action and the volcanic ash cloud grounded flights but insisted it was set to break even. BA, which is looking to merge with Spain's Iberia, said losses after tax rose 15 percent to the equivalent of 146 million euros or 191 million dollars in the three months to June compared with a year earlier.

The CEO of British Airways Willie Walsh (3rd L) shakes hand with his counterpart of Iberia Antonio Vazquez (2nd R) on November 30, 2010 before a press conference in Madrid. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

A British Airways aircraft taxis (R) past an Iberia aircraft at Heathrow Airport, west of London, on November 13, 2009. British Airways needs to merge with Spanish carrier Iberia to retain its global ranking and avoid being sidelined as crisis drives airline tie-ups and cost cuts, its top manager said on Friday. The deal will create a huge group, since Iberia is rich in routes to Latin America where several economies have strong emerging market status.

A British Airways plane taxis past an Iberia plane at Heathrow Airport west of London, on November 13, 2009. British Airways needs to merge with Spanish carrier Iberia to retain its global ranking and avoid being sidelined as crisis drives airline tie-ups and cost cuts, its top manager said on Friday. The deal will create a huge group, since Iberia is rich in routes to Latin America where several economies have strong emerging market status.

The CEO of British Airways Willie Walsh (3rd L) shakes hand with his counterpart of Iberia Antonio Vazquez (3rd R) on November 30, 2010 before a press conference in Madrid. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

A British Airways plane taxis past an Iberia plane at Heathrow Airport west of London, on November 13, 2009. British Airways needs to merge with Spanish carrier Iberia to retain its global ranking and avoid being sidelined as crisis drives airline tie-ups and cost cuts, its top manager said on Friday. The deal will create a huge group, since Iberia is rich in routes to Latin America where several economies have strong emerging market status.

The tailfin of a British Airways jet is pictured through the security fencing surrounding London Heathrow Airport, on March 25, 2010. Iberia and British Airways have yet to conclude a merger agreement despite a Spanish media report that it would be approved on Thursday, the Spanish airline said.'The regular board meeting has just finished' and 'nothing has been decided about' the planned merger, an Iberia spokeswoman told.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey (L), CEO of British Airways, Willie Walsh (C), and CEO of Iberian Airways, Antonio Vazquez, pose for a photograph during the launch of a joint venture between their airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey (L), CEO of British Airways ,Willie Walsh (C), and CEO of Iberian Airways, Antonio Vazquez, leave after attending a press conference for launch of a joint venture between their airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, leaves the QE2 centre following a shareholders meeting in London, on November 29, 2010. British Airways shareholders on Monday backed the airline's landmark multi-billion-euro merger with Spanish carrier Iberia that will create Europe's second biggest airline.

This picture taken on November 30, 2010 shows two aircraft models of Iberia and British Airways exhibited before a press conference in Madrid on November 30, 2010. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

This picture taken on November 30, 2010 shows two aircraft models of Iberia and British Airways exhibited before a press conference in Madrid on November 30, 2010. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey (L), CEO of British Airways, Willie Walsh (C), and CEO of Iberian Airways, Antonio Vazquez, answer questions during the launch of a joint venture between their airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey (L), CEO of British Airways ,Willie Walsh (C), and CEO of Iberian Airways, Antonio Vazquez, leave after attending a press conference for launch of a joint venture between their airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

The chief executive officer of British Airways, Willie Walsh (3rd L), shakes hand with the chief executive officer of Iberia, Antonio Vazquez (4th L), in Madrid on November 30, 2010 before a press conference about their multi-billion-euro merger. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their merger, the chief executive of the new holding company, Walsh, said on November 30.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey (L), CEO of British Airways ,Willie Walsh (C), and CEO of Iberian Airways, Antonio Vazquez, answer questions during the launch of a joint venture between their airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey (L), CEO of British Airways ,Willie Walsh (C), and CEO of Iberian Airways, Antonio Vazquez, answer questions during the launch of a joint venture between their airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, leaves the QE2 centre following a shareholders meeting in London, on November 29, 2010. British Airways shareholders on Monday backed the airline's landmark multi-billion-euro merger with Spanish carrier Iberia that will create Europe's second biggest airline.

President of the Spanish airline Iberia Antonio Vasquez looks on during a meeting with shareholders of the Spanish company to vote the merger with British Airways, on November 26, 2010 in Madrid. A multi-billion-euro merger between British Airways and Iberia was sealed today as shareholders overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

The chief executive officer of British Airways, Willie Walsh (L) listens to the chief executive officer of Iberia, Antonio Vazquez (R), in Madrid on November 30, 2010 during a press conference about their multi-billion-euro merger. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their merger, the chief executive of the new holding company, Walsh, said on November 30.

CEO of Iberia, Antonio Vazquez, listens during the launch of a joint venture between Iberia, British Airways and American Airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey, speaks during the launch of a joint venture between American Airlines, Iberia, and British Airways, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

A combination of pictures taken on October 19, 2007 shows an Iberia tail (R) and a British airways tail. British Airways and Spanish flag carrier Iberia said on April 8, 2010, they had signed a merger agreement to create a leading European airline following a preliminary accord in November.

Martin Broughton, Chairman of British Airways, leaves the QE2 centre following a shareholders meeting in London, on November 29, 2010. British Airways shareholders on Monday backed the airline's landmark multi-billion-euro merger with Spanish carrier Iberia that will create Europe's second biggest airline.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey, listens during the launch of a joint venture between American Airlines, Iberia, and British Airways, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

This picture taken on November 30, 2010 shows two aircraft models of Iberia and British Airways exhibited before a press conference in Madrid on November 30, 2010. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their multi-billion-euro merger, the chief executive of the new holding company Willie Walsh, said today.'We don't want to be on the sidelines, we want to lead the industry's consolidation,' he told a news conference in Madrid a day after shareholders of both airlines overwhelmingly backed a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

CEO of American Airlines, Gerard Arpey (L), CEO of British Airways, Willie Walsh (C), and CEO of Iberian Airways, Antonio Vazquez, pose for a photograph during the launch of a joint venture between their airlines, in central London on October 6, 2010. British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines launched Wednesday their transatlantic alliance, aimed at cutting costs via greater coordination over routes. BA said the trio had formally signed their 'oneworld' agreement following approval by US and European regulators earlier this year.

A combination of pictures taken on October 19, 2007 shows an Iberia aircraft (top) and a British airways aircraft taking off from El Prat airport in Barcelona. Iberia and British Airways have yet to conclude a merger agreement despite a Spanish media report that it would be approved on March 25, 2010 the Spanish airline said.'The regular board meeting has just finished' and 'nothing has been decided about' the planned merger, an Iberia spokeswoman told AFP.The two airlines signed a preliminary deal last November after more than a year of negotiations, but Iberia said at the time it would back out of the agreement if BA's giant pension deficit problem was not resolved.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, leaves the QE2 centre following a shareholders meeting in London, on November 29, 2010. British Airways shareholders on Monday backed the airline's landmark multi-billion-euro merger with Spanish carrier Iberia that will create Europe's second biggest airline.

The chief executive officer of British Airways, Willie Walsh (L) speaks next to the chief executive officer of Iberia, Antonio Vazquez (R), in Madrid on November 30, 2010 during a press conference about their multi-billion-euro merger. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their merger, the chief executive of the new holding company, Walsh, said on November 30.

The chief executive officer of British Airways, Willie Walsh (L) speaks next to the chief executive officer of Iberia, Antonio Vazquez (R), in Madrid on November 30, 2010 during a press conference about their multi-billion-euro merger. British Airways and Iberia want to lead the airline sector consolidation with their merger, the chief executive of the new holding company, Walsh, said on November 30.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gerard Arpey (L), the CEO of American Airlines, Willie Walsh (C), the CEO of British Airways and Antonio Vazquez (R), the CEO of Iberia, hold a press conference to announce a joint venture between the three airlines on October 6, 2010 in London, England. The three carriers also announced four new routes beginning in April, which includes a BA flight from Heathrow to San Diego, USA. The combined network of the airlines covers 433 destinations in 105 countries with 5,178 departures per day.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gerard Arpey (L), the CEO of American Airlines, Willie Walsh (C), the CEO of British Airways and Antonio Vazquez (R), the CEO of Iberia, leave a press conference where they announced a joint venture between the three airlines on October 6, 2010 in London, England. The three carriers also announced four new routes beginning in April, which includes a BA flight from Heathrow to San Diego, USA. The combined network of the airlines covers 433 destinations in 105 countries with 5,178 departures per day.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gerard Arpey (L), the CEO of American Airlines, Willie Walsh (C), the CEO of British Airways and Antonio Vazquez (R), the CEO of Iberia, hold a press conference to announce a joint venture between the three airlines on October 6, 2010 in London, England. The three carriers also announced four new routes beginning in April, which includes a BA flight from Heathrow to San Diego, USA. The combined network of the airlines covers 433 destinations in 105 countries with 5,178 departures per day.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gerard Arpey (L), the CEO of American Airlines, Willie Walsh (R), the CEO of British Airways hold a press conference to announce a joint venture between the two airlines and Iberia on October 6, 2010 in London, England. The three carriers also announced four new routes beginning in April, which includes a BA flight from Heathrow to San Diego, USA. The combined network of the airlines covers 433 destinations in 105 countries with 5,178 departures per day.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gerard Arpey (L), the CEO of American Airlines, Willie Walsh (C), the CEO of British Airways and Antonio Vazquez (R), the CEO of Iberia, hold a press conference to announce a joint venture between the three airlines on October 6, 2010 in London, England. The three carriers also announced four new routes beginning in April, which includes a BA flight from Heathrow to San Diego, USA. The combined network of the airlines covers 433 destinations in 105 countries with 5,178 departures per day.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gerard Arpey (L), the CEO of American Airlines, Willie Walsh (C), the CEO of British Airways and Antonio Vazquez (R), the CEO of Iberia, hold a press conference to announce a joint venture between the three airlines on October 6, 2010 in London, England. The three carriers also announced four new routes beginning in April, which includes a BA flight from Heathrow to San Diego, USA. The combined network of the airlines covers 433 destinations in 105 countries with 5,178 departures per day.