Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA (IBLA.MC) said Thursday its Chairman Fernando Conte had resigned, after months of merger talks with peer British Airways (BAY.LC).

Iberia, Spain's largest airline, said in a filing to the Spanish market regulator that the former Iberia board member Antonio Vazquez would replace Conte.

The company added Rafael Sanchez-Lozano will be the company's new chief executive.

The management shake-up comes after months of tie-up talks between Iberia and British Airways that began last year.

Company Web site: http://www.iberia.com

-By Jason Sinclair, Dow Jones Newswires; 34 91 395 8127; jason.sinclair@dowjones.com