Iberia News
BA/Iberia tie-up moves a step closer
The rallying stock market could prove the catalyst for a long-awaited tie up between British Airways and Iberia. The surge in stocks over the past few weeks could help ease the Spanish flag carrier’s fears about BA’s £2.1 billion pension deficit and lead to the long-awaited link-up. The Spanish have long been concerned about the massive deficit, which could soar to nearer £3bn when the results of a revaluation of the fund are revealed next month.
Iberia to cut capacity to stem growing losses
Iberia has vowed to accelerate its cost-cutting programme after sliding further into the red over the second quarter. Jobs are set to go, aircraft withdrawn from its fleet and wages frozen as Spain’s largest carrier also warned that it would be heading for its first annual loss in a decade.
American Airlines hit by continuing losses
American Airlines has reported deepening quarterly losses for the second consecutive year, as weak demand and falling fares drove sales sharply lower. Net quarterly losses, excluding non-recurring charges, sunk to $319m compared to a loss of $298m a year earlier. Group revenues in the second quarter fell 21 percent to $4.89bn and in the first six months by 18 percent to $9.7bn.
New Iberia chairman pledges to seal BA merger
The new chairman of Iberia has pledged to seal the proposed merger with British Airways. Antonio Vazquez Romero said that his aim was to close the deal between the Spanish and British flag carriers after almost a year of dragging.
Iberia chairman ousted to pave way for BA merger
Merger talks between British Airways and Iberia have been given a boost following the sudden departure of the Spanish flag carrier’s chairman. Fernando Conte has vacated the top job, with the official line that he wanted to step down before his 60th birthday next year. But according to company sources he was ousted because of a lack of progress in merger talks with BA.
Iberia heads into red for first time in 13 years
Spanish flag-carrier Iberia is heading for its first annual years in 13 years as a fall in business class traffic and a price war in economy erode margins.Chief executive Fernando Conte warned shareholders that passengers travelling business had fallen 20 percent year-on-year due to a sharp fall in business travel on its routes from Madrid to London and Latin America.
BA and Iberia merger talks stumble
Merger talks between British Airways and Iberia are making little headway despite reassurances from both sides of an imminent tie-up, according to sources within both airlines.The number of problems to be resolved before the merger can proceed is far bigger than the respective heads Willie Walsh and Fernando Conte have revealed. A deal is unlikely to be struck before the summer, reports the Times newspaper.
BA and Iberia on brink of merging
British Airways has dropped its strongest hint yet that its proposed merger with Iberia is imminent, saying there is only one outstanding issue to be resolved before the deal can proceed.Chief executive Willie Walsh confirmed a number of hurdles had been overcome, including the BA’s pension deficit and the chairman and chief executive roles. Most importantly, the share of ownership has also been agreed - this was earlier seen which as the biggest challenge due to the recent slump in BA’s share price, leading to Iberia pushing for an equal equity split.
Pensions regulators no barrier to Iberia mergers, says Walsh
Willie Walsh has said that British Airways does not need clearance from its pension regulator for its planned merger with Iberia.“There is no cash involved - it is an all-share merger. We don’t see any issue with our trustees. This will lead to a stronger company,” Walsh told The Times newspaper.
Iberia’s widening losses fail to halt share rise
Shares in Iberia have risen sharply despite the Spanish carrier revealing that profits have nosedived 90 percent last year to €32m (£29.6m).Ahead of a meeting with BA’s Willie Walsh, chairman and chief executive Fernando Conte also said the airline plans to cut capacity by 1.7 percent this year.
Iberia board to study TPG Capital offer
The board of Iberia will meet Thursday to study a 3.41 billion euro non-binding offer from U.S. private equity firm TPG Capital LLP, El Pais reports, without citing sources.