A potential shake-up in the U.S. aviation industry is making headlines after Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, reportedly proposed a merger with rival American Airlines to senior government officials.

According to reports by Bloomberg, later confirmed by Reuters, Kirby informally pitched the idea, though it remains unclear whether American Airlines is aware of or involved in any discussions. So far, neither airline has issued an official statement.

If realized, the merger would create one of the largest airline entities in the world, significantly reshaping the competitive landscape. Both United and American are already among the top global carriers in terms of passenger traffic and operational scale.

However, American Airlines has faced ongoing profitability challenges. Labor groups representing pilots and flight attendants have expressed concerns that the carrier risks falling behind key competitors, including Delta Air Lines.

While no direct response has come from the administration of Donald Trump, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently signaled that the government is open to airline industry consolidation—even among major carriers. He emphasized, however, that any such deal would undergo strict regulatory scrutiny, particularly regarding its impact on competition and ticket pricing.

Industry analysts say that while the proposal is still speculative, it highlights growing pressure within the airline sector to consolidate in response to economic and operational challenges.