Iberia airline's COO says now more pessimistic about Air Europa deal

MADRID, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Iberia airline chief commercial
officer said on Thursday the company was now more pessimistic
than optimistic about the acquisition of rival Air Europa.

"We are now more pessimistic than optimistic about the Air
Europa merger," Iberia airline CCO Maria Jesus Lopez said on
Thursday at an event on the future of aviation held in Madrid.

In an attempt to secure the deal, British Airways and Iberia
owner International Airlines Group's has offered
concessions to address EU antitrust concerns over its
500-million-euro ($579.6 million) bid for Spain's Air Europa.

The EU executive, which has not provided details in line
with its policy, has extended its deadline for a decision on the
deal to Jan. 4.

(Reporting by Clara-Laeila Laudette; editing by Jesús Aguado)