US Airways CEO Doug Parker says that uncertainty about whether US Airways will buy American Airlines will continue through the rest of the year and possible into 2013. No surprise there. Just remember that whether or not a merger happens while American is in Chapter 11 does not end the story. Far from it actually.
The real issue here is not whether American will merger with another airline. Rather it’s with whom and when – with US Airways while American is in bankruptcy or with an airline of American’s current management’s choosing after American gets out of bankruptcy. Now that could be US Airways but it could also be JetBlue or even Alaska Airlines.
Bonus observation: Then there’s this from Charlotte aviation director Jerry Orr on the impact of a US Airways merger with American:
Orr said he expects that if the merger is completed, Charlotte Douglas will see more international flights, including more traffic from American’s international hub in Miami.
“This would be a very well-positioned hub for a very large airline,” said Orr. “You either grow, or you risk stagnating, withering on the vine.”
Ah, no. Very few of those who watch the aviation industry closely expect Charlotte to gain international flights from such a merger, especially at Miami’s expense. I, for one, would argue that we’d being doing good to break even.
