CHICAGO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The United Airlines pilots union and the CEO of Delta Air Lines deny their companies are discussing a possible merger.
"Contrary to various media reports regarding 'talks' between United and Delta concerning a possible consolidation, the United Master Executive Council has established that there are no such talks between the two carriers," Captain Mark Bathurst, United's council chairman, told Crain's Chicago Business.
Earlier, Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer, denied a published story saying United and Delta had been active in discussions about a deal.
"There have been no talks with United regarding any type of consolidation transaction, and there are no such ongoing discussions," he said.
United characterized the report as "wholly inaccurate statements made by people who claim to have knowledge when they clearly do not."
Stories circulated about merger talks after a New York hedge fund that owns stock in both companies sent a letter to Delta urging a union between the two carriers.
