An independent study has estimated that 16,200 jobs could be lost if a merger of British Airways (BA) and KLM takes place. The study has raised grave concerns among British trade unions. Although BA insisted the rival airlines were still just talking, unions said they would be meeting to discuss the report by Commerzbank aviation analyst Mr Chris Tarry.

The study, the first in-depth analysis of the merger being discussed by the two airlines, says the job cuts would lead to combined one-off costs of £970 million sterling (€1.56 billion), but would bring annual cost savings of some £525 million.

"British Airways are having talks about having talks at the moment, although the figure of 16,200 job losses is extremely disturbing," Mr John Hockenhull, the chief aerospace negotiator for the GMB union, said in a statement.