United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has reportedly discussed a potential merger with American Airlines with multiple U.S. government officials, including President Donald Trump. The conversations, which occurred in late February, suggest an audacious proposition for combining two of the largest U.S. network carriers.
Such a combination would be the most significant airline consolidation in over a decade and would result in the creation of the world’s largest airline.
It remains unclear if a formal process to explore a deal is currently underway, though Kirby has raised the possibility of a combination with officials. Any such merger would likely face intense regulatory scrutiny.