British Airways shareholders overwhelmingly approved the airline's landmark multi-billion-euro merger with Spanish carrier Iberia following a vote here on Monday, BA said.

"We are delighted that our shareholders have approved our merger with Iberia and await the result of the Iberia shareholder meeting," said the statement.

A spokesman added that BA shareholders voted 99 percent in favour of a deal to create Europe's second biggest airline.

Iberia shareholders were currently meeting on whether to back the tie-up worth more than 6.0 billion euros (8.0 billion dollars).