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00:02United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby raised the idea of merging with American Airlines in a February 25th meeting with Trump.
00:09Sources said,
00:10days before the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran drove jet fuel prices higher.
00:15United and American were already the world's two largest airlines by capacity in 2025,
00:19and a merger would far surpass third-ranked Delta.
00:23Kirby told Trump administration officials that a merged United American
00:27would be a stronger competitor in international travel
00:30and aligned the argument with concerns about U.S. trade deficits.
00:34He said two-thirds of long-haul seats to and from the United States are on foreign carriers,
00:39while 60% of passengers are U.S. citizens.
00:42Sources said approval would face opposition from unions, airlines, lawmakers, and airports.
00:47American shares rose more than 5% after the report,
00:50while United's shares were little changed.
00:53For all things money, visit Benzinga.com.
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