BA exploring merger with Qantas

These BBC articles provide background on a possible merger between British Airways (BA) and the Australian National Airline (Qantas). Read them and answer the following questions.

07/11/08 - Profits plunge at British Airways.
Q1a) British AiBritish Airways made a pre tax profit for BA in the 6 month period April to September 2008 of £52m ($UDS81.6m). That’s good – right?
Q1b) What factors mentioned in the article have affected BA’s profits?
Q1c) Explain why recent changes in oil prices are good or bad news for BA.

07/12/08 BA exploring merger with Qantas
Q2a) What political decisions have been made to allow the possibility of a merger between BA and Qantas
Q2b) What Special Intereest Groups are mentioned in the article. How does it feel about this proposed merger?

08/12/08 Qantas boss says BA deal in doubt
Q3a) Explain the statement “current pension liabilities, which stand at about £1.5bn ($2.2bn) as a possible hurdle for the talks”