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It's not every week that a global airline agrees to merge with another carrier. After more than a year of talks, British Airways and Iberia have agreed to a tie-up. Should this deal be completed (if BA finds a solution to its pension deficit problems and the merger gets past the European Commission, that is), the resulting airline will be the third-largest in the world.

BA is widely considered to have come out on top in the negotiations. The head office will be in London, Willie Walsh will be Chief Executive and the flag carrier will have 55 per cent of the new company, but others are not quite so happy.

Virgin is warning of BA's "growing dominance" and the deal has been called a "marriage of losers" in one Spanish newspaper, but Michael O'Leary of Ryanair put it most colourfully by saying that it reminded him of "two drunks leaning on each other.”

AIRLINE SALES AND DEALS

Up to 25% off Christmas flights
Book by Friday, November 13, and save up to 25 per cent off Christmas travel to popular destinations in Ireland and around Europe. 

Lufthansa offers Europe flights from £129 return with taxes
Book by Sunday, November 15, to snap up a £129 flight (return including taxes, fees and charges) to Europe with Lufthansa. 

Air Canada sale: cheap flights to Canada and US
Book flights before Tuesday, November 17: Air Canada's sale to destinations in Canada and the United States is on now with return flights from £298 including taxes and charges. 

THIS WEEK'S RYANAIR NEWS

Ryanair considers upping its boarding pass reissue fee
Reports in Irish newspapers suggest that Ryanair is looking to increase the reissue charge to €100 (or £100) in a bid to lower its costs. 

Ryanair axing its Basel routes
From December 2, Ryanair will be closing all six of its routes to and from Basel, Switzerland’s third-largest city, as a result of a dispute over airport charges. 

Doncaster to Spain flights to resume
Low-cost carrier Ryanair will be reintroducing its Doncaster to Spain flights starting next summer. 

BEHAVING BADLY IN THE SKIES

Brawl forces easyJet flight to divert
A fight between rival football fans forced an easyJet plane to make an emergency landing in Germany. 

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