U.S. Airways CEO Douglas Parker said a merger with the bankrupt American Airlines could create the "greatest airline in the world."
U.S. Airways has more flights coming into Pittsburgh International Airport than any other airline. Douglas said a merger with American benefits more than just U.S. Airways' bottom line.
"There are real advantages to combining airlines for employees, customers and employees," Parker said. "Employees will benefit from greater job security and more long-term opportunities if they're working for a successful airline. Customers will gain more flight options at better times to more places, and whenever two airlines combine, they open communities that they serve to many more new travelers."
Parker said even though U.S. Airways is doing well as an independent airline now, that doesn't mean that they shouldn't become better, and said the merger is a way to accomplish that.
"Just because we're doing well independently and have a model that works well, that doesn't mean we shouldn't work to make the model even stronger," Parker said. "We ask each of our team members to continually raise the bar, and they should ask the same of us. We owe it to them and our other stakeholders to make our airline not just strong and viable, but as strong and competitive as it can possibly be."
Parker said that all American parties seem to agree with a merger between the two airlines except the senior executive staff, but hopes they will become open to the idea in the future.
Parker made his comments Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
