# United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says he approached American Airlines about a merger.

*business · news · 2026-04-27 · WJLA*

## Key points

- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby publicly confirmed he approached American Airlines about a merger proposal.
- Kirby stated he believed a merger could win regulatory approval and boost the U.S. economy.
- American Airlines declined to engage in merger talks and publicly rejected the idea as anti-competitive.
- Kirby’s outreach followed both rising jet fuel prices from the Iran war and a White House discussion.
- The FAA will require O’Hare Airport flight cuts from June 2 due to planned carrier schedule increases.

**Companies:** United Airlines, American Airlines
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on WJLA](https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/united-american-airlines-merger-portential-travelers-talks-failed-rebuffed-white-house-travel-texas-airways-competition-expanding)

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