BA-Iberia merged company named

FOLLOWING the confirmation that British Airways’ (BA) and Iberia’s on-again/off-again merger is back on the cards, the two companies have announced that the new entity will be known as International Airlines.

However, both airlines and their subsidiaries, such as British Airways World Cargo, will continue to operate under their current names and brands.

The merger is expected to be complete in December of this year, although Iberia has strong rights to be able to pull out if BA can’t get its bloated pension deficit in order.

The merged group will be able to operate 408 aircraft flying to 200 destinations around the world.

Willie Walsh, BA’s chief executive and who is the chief executive-designate of the new airline, said: “The merged company will provide customers with a larger combined network. It will also have greater potential for further growth by optimising the dual hubs of London and Madrid and providing continued investment in new products and services.”