RIO DE JANEIRO — United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said he does not anticipate additional consolidation in the U.S. airline industry and indicated he is not pursuing a merger for United after American Airlines rejected a potential combination earlier this year. “United’s not going to do a deal just to do a deal,” Kirby told reporters Sunday on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting, underscoring a cautious stance toward dealmaking.
Kirby cited recent and past consolidation moves as evidence that further industry mergers are unlikely to gain traction. He pointed to Allegiant and Sun Country merging this year and Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines pairing in 2024, arguing that many opportunities have already been absorbed and that any deal must make economic sense. “There’s nothing,” he said, adding that the process of evaluating a merger is complex and that “it’s hard” to ensure it is financially justifiable.
The United CEO has previously resisted pursuing a merger with JetBlue Airways, one of United’s partners, reiterating his reluctance to pursue acquisitions that do not align with United’s strategic goals. Earlier this year, Kirby also discussed the possibility of combining with American, where he formerly worked, and reportedly floated the idea to the Trump administration. While Kirby later said a combined airline could help it compete with large foreign rivals, analysts warned that regulatory hurdles could be insurmountable. He stressed that any deal would require broad support from unions, customers, shareholders, regulators and management—support he said United did not have from American’s side at the time.
Delta Air Lines President Peter Carter offered a parallel view, telling CNBC that he does not foresee a merger or acquisition in Delta’s future. Carter said Delta’s long-standing strategy centers on partnerships and joint ventures in regions including South Korea, Mexico and Europe. He argued that the U.S. domestic market is mature and that international travel represents the growth opportunity ahead, noting Delta’s desire to compete with United in the lucrative trans-Pacific market.
The broader industry context remains one of cautious consolidation, with airlines prioritizing alliances and international expansion over large-scale domestic mergers for the time being. Kirby’s remarks reinforce a conservative outlook on dealmaking amid regulatory scrutiny and the mixed track record of recent consolidations.
