British Airways Dumps Jilted Partner

British Airways, which is courting American Airlines, is getting a divorce from USAir, which has been asking to part company.

British Airways said Wednesday it would sell its nearly 25 percent interest in USAir and remove its three directors from the carrier’s board.

USAir had demanded the move in a lawsuit filed against British Airways after BA announced plans for a partnership with American Airlines.

“It would clearly be unwise to pursue an alliance with an unwilling partner,” British Airways chief executive Bob Ayling said.

USAir called the move “an important first step” but said it will continue its court case to try to repair the damage allegedly done to its business when British Airways cozied up to American.

USAir, like other U.S. airlines, is seeking access to London’s Heathrow Airport, the top choice of high-paying business travelers to Europe.

USAir has an option to repurchase its stock held by British Airways in the next 60 days, but would not say whether it planned to do so.