• Chicago Tribune, Thursday, April 8, 2010 10:40 AM

United Airlines and US Airways, which have a history of courtship over the past decade, are once again discussing a merger. But, report Hugo Martin and Julie Johnsson, United's real intent may be to draw Continental Airlines to the bargaining table.

"This looks like an attempt to get something going," former Continental CEO Gordon Bethune, who has no direct knowledge of United's plans, tells them. Some analysts say that all three airlines could end up combining. Representatives of Continental, United and US Airways declined to comment.

A Continental and United merger would create about $5.8 billion in market value and would generate cost-savings and new revenues of about $2 billion, estimates Vaughn Cordle, managing director of AirlineForecasts LLC. Combining United and US Airways would generate about 65% of that increased market value: about $2.5 billion to $3 billion, it says.

Read the whole story at Chicago Tribune »