ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Incorporated officials were mum on the outcome of a board meeting at which executives could get the green light to enter formal talks with two competitors about a combination.
Asked if yesterday's meeting in New York had been completed, board member Walter Massey responded -- quote -- ``I can't talk about that.''
He then hung up the phone.
A Delta spokeswoman also declined to comment.
According to two people familiar with the situation, Delta's board was expected to be asked to allow formal talks between Delta and Northwest Airlines Corporation and U-A-L Corporation's United Airlines, with the idea that Delta would ultimately choose to combine with one of the two.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
The Associated Press reported November 14th that United and Delta had been discussing a combination between the nation's second- and third-largest carriers that would keep the United name and the corporate headquarters in Chicago. Delta issued a statement at the time denying ``published reports that it had engaged in merger talk with United.''
Since then, Delta has said little about the issue, except that its board is evaluating whether to enter into a deal to combine with another airline.
On Wednesday, the head of the Atlanta-based company's pilots union said in a letter to rank-and-file members that a combination involving Delta may be close. The union has a representative on Delta's board. The union chief, Lee Moak, did not return repeated calls yesterday seeking comment.
Monday
January 27th, 2025
2:49PM
