The British Airways/Iberia merger is set to jump the final
hurdle today when shareholders meet to approve the deal.
BA investors will meet in Westminster today to give the merger
the stamp of approval while a similar meeting will take place in
Madrid.
From January 24, the new company will be called International
Airlines Group - a name that is purposefully vague as BA chief
executive Willie Walsh has made it plain he wishes to bring more
airlines into the fold in the future.
The company will be based in London and run by Walsh although
it will be registered in Spain. The two brands will remain
distinct.
It is hoped the move will create cost savings of up to £340
million. The new airline will have more than 400 aircraft at its
disposal and employ around 57,000 people.
