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.
