British Airways Owner Leads Airlines Lower as Virus Spreads

British Airways parent IAG SA and rival Air France-KLM Group fell 4.6 percent as evidence mounts that a fatal virus spreading in Europe can be transmitted among people, increasing the potential for disruption to air travel.

Shares of International Consolidated Airlines Group SA dropped as much as 12.80 pence to 263.10 pence in London, the sharpest drop since April 5, when they retreated following concern about a bird-flu virus in China. Air France-KLM fell as much as 35 cents to 7.25 euros in Paris, the most since May 3.