英国航空近两年来首次盈利

British Airways has reported a half-year profit of £158m ($252m), its first in two years, as the company prepares to merge with Iberia of Spain.

英国航空公司近半年获利1.58英镑，这是该公司最近两年以来首次盈利。据悉英国航空将于西班牙伊比利亚航空进行合并。

The British Airways profit comes the same day as strong results from Iberia

Meanwhile Iberia itself reported a profit of 53m euros (£46m, $74m) for the last nine months.

The companies - which will merge on 21 January - both made losses a year ago.

Separately, it has emerged that Willie Walsh and other BA executives will receive substantial（大量的，实质的） pay rises after the airline's merger with Iberia of Spain.

Mr Walsh will become chief executive of the combined company - International Consolidated Airlines Group - and will see his basic pay rise 12% to £825,000 a year.

He will also be eligible（有资格的） for performance-related bonuses under the merger deal, that will be capped at twice his basic pay, or £1.65m.

Mr Walsh's colleague, BA chief financial officer Keith Williams, will see his basic pay rise 43% to £630,000 after his promotion to replace Mr Walsh as BA chief executive within the enlarged company.

Mr Wiliams' bonus will be capped at 1.5 times his basic salary.