BA pension deficit 'not surprising'-Iberia source

MADRID Dec 14 (Reuters) - Spain's Iberia IBLA.MC was not surprised by the 3.7 billion pound pension deficit announced by merger partner British Airways BAY.L, a source at the airline said on Monday.

"We're not surprised by this figure. It falls within the expected range," the source said.

Earlier, British Airways said that its pension deficit had swelled to 3.7 billion pounds ($6 billion), giving Iberia a get out clause if it wants to call time on their long-planned merger. [nLDE5BD0C5] (Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; editing by Judy MacInnes)