Two senators have raised antitrust concerns about a possible merger between United Airlines and American Airlines, sending a letter to both carriers requesting information about the impact of a potential deal.
Senators Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote that combining United and American would create an “industry behemoth” controlling nearly half of the U.S. airline market and the world’s largest airline by revenue.
“Any proposed merger between United Airlines and American Airlines raises serious questions under antitrust law and raises the likelihood of harm for American consumers,” the senators wrote.
The letter followed reports that United CEO Scott Kirby proposed a merger with American during a late February meeting with President Donald Trump. A source close to the White House expressed skepticism about the deal’s competitive impact.
If a merger moved forward, it would likely face scrutiny from federal regulators and antitrust panels in Congress, including the Senate subcommittee chaired by Lee.
Warren and Lee outlined concerns including the combined company’s potential to raise consumer prices, limit smaller airlines’ access to gates, and cut routes—particularly at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. They also cited risks of job losses and wage suppression across the industry.
The senators asked both CEOs to disclose whether merger discussions had taken place and to justify how such a deal would serve the public interest.
American Airlines said it was “not engaged with or interested in” merger talks with United. “A combination with United would be negative for competition and for consumers,” the carrier said. “Our focus will remain on executing on our strategic objectives and positioning American to win for the long term.”
United Airlines declined to comment.