United Airlines CEO says he approached American Airlines about merger
CNBC • • general
Key Points:
- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed he proposed a merger to American Airlines, envisioning a combined airline that could better compete globally and benefit customers, but American rejected the idea.
- American Airlines CEO Robert Isom criticized the merger proposal as anticompetitive and harmful to customers, effectively closing the door on any near-term merger discussions.
- Kirby had also discussed the merger concept with the Trump administration earlier in the year, hoping for regulatory approval to create a larger U.S. airline to challenge foreign carriers dominating long-haul routes.
- President Donald Trump publicly opposed the United-American merger last week but expressed interest in a potential government-supported rescue or acquisition of struggling carrier Spirit Airlines.
- Without a willing partner, Kirby acknowledged that a merger of this scale cannot proceed, emphasizing that American's rejection makes such a combination unlikely in the foreseeable future.
