United Airlines CEO: Large-scale merger unlikely after rejection by American Airlines, but acquisition of assets possible.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told Reuters on Sunday that if high oil prices put pressure on weaker competitors, United Airlines would still be willing to acquire airport landing slots, boarding gates, or other assets, but after the proposed acquisition of American Airlines failed, United Airlines is unlikely to seek major consolidation deals. Kirby said that in April of this year, he contacted American Airlines about a merger, but they rejected United's proposal. Reuters had previously reported that he had presented this idea to US President Donald Trump in February. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom rejected the merger proposal on the grounds of "violating competition principles and not benefiting customers." "I don't think United Airlines is likely to merge," Kirby said in an interview at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro. "This does not mean that we will not continue to acquire assets in the market, but the possibility of a merger is low."