Associated Press | The CEO of American Airlines says his company isn’t threatened by reported merger discussions among other airlines.

The carrier’s CEO Gerard Arpey declined to directly comment on reports that United Airlines and US Airways are discussing a combination that would be bigger than his airline. But he says no matter what happens, American is well positioned with strong hubs in Dallas, Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles.

American, once the world’s largest airline, could slide to No. 3 if
United and US Airways combine. Delta Air Lines leapfrogged American to
become the largest when it bought Northwest.

Arpey says consolidation would help the financially troubled airline industry but wouldn’t be a cure-all.