economy
United Airlines CEO confirms he approached American Airlines about merger
United CEO Scott Kirby said American rejected the idea, "and without a willing partner, something this big simply can't get done."
TL;DR
- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby contacted American Airlines about a potential merger.
- American Airlines rejected the idea, deeming it anticompetitive and bad for customers.
- Kirby had previously discussed the merger idea with the Trump administration.
- Kirby's vision for a merger was to create a larger airline to compete with foreign rivals.
- President Donald Trump expressed opposition to the United-American merger.
- Trump also suggested the government could help struggling discount carrier Spirit.