AIRLINES

British Airways Gets New CEO: Europe’s largest airline named its No. 2 official, Robert Ayling, as chief executive, freeing Chairman Colin Marshall to concentrate on forging alliances in an industry that is expected to consolidate soon. British Airways is at a critical juncture. Its U.S. partner, USAir Group Inc., is in talks to sell itself to either UAL Corp.’s United Airlines or AMR Corp.’s American Airlines. British Airways owns 24.6% of USAir. A takeover would place the British carrier’s alliance with USAir in jeopardy, analysts said, and could force it to find another airline to supply passengers for its U.S. gateways. Marshall, 61, will remain chairman of London-based British Airways. Ayling, 49, had been its No. 2 executive since 1993 and was being groomed to replace Marshall.