Bookmakers are taking bets on which airline British Airways and Iberia will acquire first next year.
They have released odds on a number of airlines after BA chief executive Willie Walsh said there were 12 targets in his sights.
Speaking in Mumbai at the unveiling of a codeshare deal with India’s Kingfisher Airlines, Walsh said the two airlines have drawn up a shortlist of airlines to buy or merge with once their own tie-up has been completed.
Bookmakers Paddypower said Chile’s flag carrier LAN Airlines has emerged as the early favourite at odds of 9/4.
BA’s Oneworld alliance partner Cathay Pacific followed at 11/4, then JAL at 10/3 and Finnair at 7/2.
By Bev Fearis
