In the least surprising announcement to come out of the US commercial aviation industry this year, Houston-based Continental Airlines and Chicago-based United Airlines yesterday said they will merge, forming the largest airline in the world and the biggest US-based air carrier operating to Asia.
As rumoured, the new airline will retain the United name and will be based in Chicago, and Jeff Smisek, the current chairman, president and chief executive of Continental, will become chief executive of United Continental Holdings, the entity's parent company. Glenn Tilton, chairman, president and chief executive of United, will be a non-executive chairman of the new carrier until the end of 2012.
What was new in yesterday's early...
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