Airline Deals Inevitable: UAL Chief

Even if the proposed takeover of Delta(DALRQ Quote) fails, that wouldn't halt airline industry consolidation, the chief of United Airlines said Tuesday.

United CEO Glenn Tilton was commenting on a report that Doug Parker, head of US Airways(LCC Quote), said the current round of possible mergers could cease if his company's $10.1 billion hostile bid for Delta is rejected.

"Since we have been talking about the benefits of consolidation to the industry well before the new US Airways existed, I would think the [need] would be no less so," Tilton said during a conference call with analysts and reporters. "It doesn't change the underlying conditions I've spoken to for several years." ...