United, US Air Talks 'Very Serious': Report

Talks between United Airlines and US Airways have become 'very serious,' according to <I>The Wall Street Journal</I>.

Author:: TSC Staff
Publish date:: Apr 10, 2010 9:58 PM EDT

CHICAGO (TheStreet) -- Talks between United Airlines (UAUA) and US Airways (LCC) have become "very serious," according to a published media report.

However, the discusssions are still at a "very sensitive stage," said the report, published Saturday on

The Wall Street Journal's

Web site.

The report cited one person close to the transaction, who said that it the talks could just easily fall apart as lead to a transaction between the two airlines.

If a deal is reached, it will be an all-stock transaction, and United will be the surviving airline, the person said. An earlier

Reuters

report also said talks revolved around an all-stock deal.

United and US Airways shares surged Thursday

on speculation about a merger of the two legacy carriers. Shares of

Continental

(CAL) - Get Report

also rose, because there has also been merger speculation about it and United.

But the head of the pilots union at United this week

downplayed reports of merger discussions

between his airline and US Airways.

Shares of United Airlines closed Friday up 27 cents at $20.50. Shares of US Airways finished the session down 23 cents at $7.32.