Late last week, it was revealed that U.S. Airways was checking out American Airlines’ OKcupid profile in the hope the two could go on a nice coffee date and maybe get married and have a bunch of kids and a huge house in the suburbs. At the time U.S. Airways, who got burned a couple years back after getting hot-and-heavy with United, played coy about its intentions. But today the carrier is being more open about its amorous intentions.
“We are, of course, always interested in studying potential value-enhancing opportunities, and part of studying these opportunities is ensuring we have good counsel,” the airline’s CEO told investors in a conference call earlier today. “Therefore, as has been reported, we have indeed retained (investment bankers) Barclays Capital and Millstein & Co., and (law firm) Latham & Watkins LLP to help us explore our options as they relate to AMR’s bankruptcy.”
It’s like something straight out of Romeo & Juliet!
However, in case this match isn’t made in heaven, the airline’s CEO added that his company will be just fine because, “as today’s [fourth quarter financial] results show, U.S. Airways does not need to participate in consolidation.”
Though U.S. Airways is the smaller of the two carriers, it’s in a better position to acquire American, as the larger airline recently filed for bankruptcy protection.
US Airways Affirms Interest in Possible Bid for AMR [WSJ.com]







