Accenture recommends Kingfisher, Deccan merger-report

MUMBAI, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Consulting firm Accenture (ACN.N) has recommended the merger of India's Kingfisher Airlines and discount carrier Deccan Aviation Ltd DECA.BO, the Economic Times newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The modalities of the deal will be decided by a financial consultant to be appointed by the UB board, the newspaper said.

A spokesman for Kingfisher Airlines, which is controlled by United Breweries (Holdings), declined immediate comment.

"The board is scheduled to meet late on Wednesday evening to consider the Accenture report," a Deccan Aviation spokeswoman told Reuters, but did not disclose any other details.

Earlier this year, UB group firm United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd (UBHL.BO) bought 26 percent in Deccan Aviation. Later, UB group made an open offer after which it increased its stake in Deccan Aviation to 46 percent.

(Reporting by Narayanan Somasundaram and Arpan Mukherjee; Editing by Sunil Nair )

((arpan.mukherjee@reuters.com; +91 22 6636 9058; Reuters Messaging: arpan.mukherjee.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: KINGFISHER DECCAN MERGER/

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