IAG looks at stake in American Airlines

British Airways' owner IAG is considering buying a minority stake in American Airlines to protect its Oneworld partnership.


International Airlines Group chief executive, Willie Walsh, told the Financial Times that buying a small stake would help cement the airline's membership in the airline alliance.


He also spoke of support for a merger between American Airlines - the fourth largest US airline and US Airways - the fifth largest.


Mr Walsh said the idea of IAG investing in American "is something we are going to look at".


Through Oneworld, British Airways has a joint venture with American that operates long-haul flights over the North Atlantic - which is seen as one of the world's most lucrative air travel markets.


If Delta Air Lines bids for American, it could see the airline leaving OneWorld for SkyTeam - another airline alliance that Delta is a member of.


But Mr Walsh said regulators would almost certainly block a combination between Delta and American.

Monday, August 6, 2012

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