BA In No Hurry In Iberia Merger Talks - Report

British Airways does not feel under pressure to obtain a quick merger deal in talks with Iberia, BA's chief executive said, according to Spanish newspaper Expansion.

"These negotiations aren't a distraction for our management team. BA and Iberia know each other very well, so I don't feel under any calendar pressure," Walsh told several newspapers, according to Expansion.

Walsh said Madrid Airport would be key to the growth of the company following any merger, Expansion said.

Walsh said in March that issues over BA's pension deficit and the ownership split between the two airlines had been resolved, and he was confident a deal could be done. He said the main difficulty was the financial control of the proposed parent company over the two airlines, which would retain routes and brands.

BA and Iberia announced talks about an agreed all-share merger last July.