LONDON (AP) — The owner of British Airways and Spanish airline Iberia is considering taking a stake in American Airlines.

The Financial Times on Monday quoted Willie Walsh, the chief executive of International Airline Group, as saying that a small stake in American could reinforce American’s participation in the Oneworld alliance which includes British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines and Qantas. British Airways has a joint venture with American on North Atlantic flights.

Walsh said IAG is prepared to buy a stake “if we can make the case that there is additional strategic value to be achieved.”