Qantas shares up 9.3 percent on merger talks with BA

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Shares in Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX), Australia's top airline, rose as much as 9.3 percent in early Wednesday trade following news it was in merger talks with British Airways Ltd (BAY.L).

By 11:07 p.m. GMT (6:07 p.m. EST), Qantas shares were up 21 cents at A$2.46, in a broader market up 1.7 percent.

(Reporting by James Thornhill)