NewsOK member benefits

Union says CEO makes case for independent American

Published: December 13, 2012 Comment on this article

Mike Trevino, a spokesman for American, said in an emailed statement that AMR used Thursday's meeting to thank union leaders for supporting the contract that pilots ratified. He said Horton and other company officials also went to "discuss the next steps in our evaluation of strategic alternatives and exchange information and thoughts about how to continue the positive momentum we are creating for our people and our customers."

American is the nation's third-biggest airline and US Airways is fifth-biggest. Combined they would be about the same size as industry leader United Airlines.

There is no guarantee that the current talks will produce a deal. Either airline could try to force a merger or acquisition of the other, or both could decide to remain independent.

Page 2 of 2