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September 6, 2008 2:39:40 AM CDT

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United and Continental May Be Next to Merge

Posted Apr 15, 08 4:11 AM CDT in Business 

(Newser) – The Delta-Northwest merger will create the world's biggest airline—but that title could fall before the ink is even dry on the deal as industry pressures force other carriers into shotgun weddings, the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysts believe United and Continental would be a good match and a deal between the two is widely expected, possibly in a matter of weeks.

The creation of the merged airline behemoths, triggered by record fuel prices, will change the face of the industry, attracting close attention from antitrust regulators and leaving American Airlines, currently the biggest US carrier, slipping down the rankings. "American is like the last one at the dance," said an industry expert. It "might hook up with a smaller carrier."

Source Houston Chronicle

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Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines signs are posted at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, Monday, April 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
A Northwest Airlines plane takes off from Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis Monday April 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Andy King)
A Continental Airlines plane is refueled at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport in this Oct. 16, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, file)
A United Airlines plane heads away from the gates of the B concourse at Denver International Airport in this Aug. 24, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
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airline industry  • airline  • American Airlines  • merger  • United Airlines  • fuel costs  • Northwest Airlines  • Continental Airlines  • Delta Airlines


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