British Airways (BA) has confirmed it is in talks with Australian airline Qantas Airways over a potential merger.
The company said that following an initial approach from Qantas, it was studying a merger with the Australian carrier "in a dual-listed company structure" and that discussions between the two are ongoing.
The carrier, which has also been negotiating a merger deal with Spainsh airline Iberia for the past five months, said that under the structure being discussed, each airline would remain a separate legal entity and would have separate shareholders.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "This is an exciting step towards the creation of the first truly global airline . We have complementary networks and similar views about consolidation."
However, the UK airline added there was "no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming" and said "a further announcement will be made in due course, if appropriate".
A merger between BA and Qantas would be the first time two carriers have attempted to combine operations between two regions of the world.
BA recently posted an operating profit of £140 million for the six months to September 30th and indicated it is on track to achieve a "small profit" in the financial year.
The company said it had performed well "given the incredibly difficult trading conditions".
BA In Talks With Qantas Over Possible Merger
Thu, 04 Dec 2008
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