MADRID (AP) - Executives of British Airways and Iberia say they plan to make their newly combined company even bigger through airline acquisitions and partnerships, now that the two carriers are merging to create Europe's third-largest airline.
BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh says BA-Iberia also will lobby governments in foreign countries to reduce regulations making it difficult for foreign carriers to purchase airlines.
Walsh declined to identify potential acquisition targets or countries where looser regulations would give the carrier growth opportunities.
He spoke Tuesday at a news conference held a day after British Airways PLC and Iberia SA shareholders approved the 5.7 billion pound ($8.9 billion) merger.