BRITISH AIRWAYS ended the Qantas merger rumours on December 18, after releasing a statement saying that talks on a potential merger with the Australian airline had ended. The full statement read: "British Airways Plc and Qantas Airways Ltd are announcing that after detailed discussions about a potential merger, talks have ended.
"Despite the potential longer term benefits to both British Airways and Qantas, the airlines have not been able to come to agreement over the key terms of a merger at this time. "British Airways and Qantas will continue to work together on their joint business between the UK and Australia and as part of the Oneworld alliance."
Prospects of an eventual merger deal between British Airways and Iberia Airlines of Spain also dimmed last month with the Spanish airline reportedly worried by BA's £1.74 billion pension deficit. The Spanish airline was also said to have been upset by the possible Qantas merger, which they learned about only hours before British Airways publicly owned up to the Anglo- Australian plan.