BA and American to extend link

BRITISH AIRWAYS and American Airlines are today expected to extend their global alliance to nine other airlines to create the world's largest aviation network. The venture, which will be called Link, will include the Hong-Kong based airline Cathay Pacific, giving the partnership strong coverage in the Far East.

Other airlines joining the partnership will include Qantas of Australia, Canadian Airlines International, Iberia of Spain and other smaller carriers. The move will cement the BA-AA alliance, even though the deal is still awaiting formal regulatory approval.