Reuters has an extensive summary of a speech by US Airways CEO Doug “I’m OK To Drive” Parker in which he salivates over the inevitable merger party that is coming soon the airline industry.

Doug Parker, who tried and failed to merge his airline with Delta, reiterated his view that the overcrowded industry is in desperate need of consolidation.

He added, however, that Delta, despite earlier resistance to consolidation, is uniquely positioned to be the catalyst for what could be a wave of airline mergers.

“Delta will be the trigger if they want to be,” said Parker, who engineered the 2005 merger of America West and US Airways. “When they decide to do something, that will be the trigger.”

Parker and other airline leaders see industry consolidation as a way to cut costs and capacity and stabilize the volatile industry. A common view is that if two of the big airlines merge, others will scramble to find partners of their own.

Parker thinks the softening U.S. economy and soaring jet fuel prices will push Delta into kicking off the merger party. We think he’s still got a crush on someone and that someone’s name is spelled D-E-L-T-A.

Delta could spark mergers: US Air CEO [Reuters]

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