United to merge with Continental Airlines
United Airlines and Continental Airlines, both Star Alliance members, have agreed a $3.2 billion merger of equals to create the world’s biggest airline carrier.
Between them they currently fly 144 million passengers a year to 370 destinations in 59 countries, dwarfing the figures for the planned British Airways and Iberia merger.
The deal is expected to create saving of more than $1 billion a year for the airlines and spark further consolidation across the industry.