British Airways PLC and Spanish airline Iberia SA confirmed they are holding separate board meetings Thursday about a long-awaited merger, responding to feverish speculation that has sent the companies' shares soaring.

BA, the third largest airline in Europe, said the meetings would consider a ‘potential transaction’ and that no deal has yet been reached. It declined to provide any further information.

The two airlines' shares surged Thursday on speculation that a deal announcement is imminent, possibly on Friday, when Iberia announces financial results that are expected to show an operating loss over the first nine months of the year.

An announcement would end more than a year of difficult negotiations between BA and Iberia. The pair began talks about a possible tie-up back in July 2008 in response to slowing passenger demand, but discussions have faltered over issues including BA's large pension fund deficit and the proposed structure of a merged company.

Iberia also confirmed that the deal currently being discussed would give the Spanish airline 45 percent of the new company, with BA taking the remaining 55 percent.

Analysts view a merger - and a proposed revenue-sharing deal with American Airlines that is still facing antitrust barriers - as a necessary consolidation in the airline industry after rising fuel prices and the global economic downturn hit demand.

BA's stock was up 10 percent at 220 pence ($3.64) in afternoon trade in London on Thursday, making it the biggest riser in the FTSE 100, while Iberia shares jumped 13.3 percent to euro2.25 ($3.35) in Madrid.

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