United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby floated the possibility of a merger with rival American Airlines during a recent meeting with Donald Trump. The discussion took place on February 25 during a session focused on renovation plans for Washington Dulles International Airport.
While Kirby presented the idea of a merger between the two U.S. aviation giants, Bloomberg reports there is no confirmation of concrete negotiations or active discussions currently underway.
Market reaction to the comments was immediate. American Airlines shares surged more than 8% during Tuesday's U.S. trading session, while United Airlines shares rose 3.9%.
Regulatory hurdles
A merger between the two largest carriers in the United States would face intense scrutiny. Industry analysts expect significant opposition from competitors, policymakers, and consumer advocacy groups over potential antitrust violations.
United Airlines is scheduled to report its first-quarter 2026 financial results on April 21. American Airlines will release its quarterly earnings two days later, on April 23.
