7 seconds ago 2010-02-09T20:45:03-08:00
LONDON – British Airways PLC and Spanish airline Iberia SA confirmed they are holding separate board meetings about a long-awaited merger, responding to feverish speculation that has sent the companies' shares soaring.
BA, the third largest airline in Europe, said the meetings would consider a "potential transaction" and that no deal has yet been reached. It declined to provide any further information.
The two airlines' shares surged Thursday on speculation that a deal announcement is imminent, possibly on Friday, when Iberia announces financial results that are expected to show an operating loss over the first nine months of the year.
