Well, it's happening - that predicted wave of European airline consolidation as a response to record oil prices and economic slowdown took another step forward today with the news that British Airways and Iberia are holding merger talks.
The two carriers plan an all-share merger that would see them both retain their brands as a combined group.
This follows another recent merger announcement - again involving Spain - that Clickair and Vueling have agreed to join forces.
Who'll be next? Anyone care to hazard a guess?
on January 19, 2009 9:06 PM | Reply
The Future of oneworld is at stake
After calling off the merger talks between two of the three anchor carriers (BA/Qantas) the alliance finds itself desperately in need of a win with US and EU regulators on the tie up between core oneworld carriers AA/BA. Iberia still has an important part to play as well.
The US authorities have requested more information on how the two airlines would coordinate schedules from London Heathrow, while at the same time EU authroties remain tight lipped in favour of seeing how phase two of the much lauded "Open Skies" treaty plays out.
We believe that AA/BA should be approved by regulators as soon as possible, as the current economic environment puts further stress on airline operation margins- and weakening customer demand. Failure to act now to allow these two carriers to merge in our opinion would be negligent. Customer interests are no longer threatened by competition issues at LHR- and indeed consumers have never had it better.
For further coverage in German, French, and Spanish: please refer to:
http://www.twclimited.com/yes_american_airlines_british_airways_antitrust.html