airline mergers

Ticket prices, consumer protection laws, and the collapse of Spirit Airlines were discussed in depth on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

The session comes after a tumultuous few months for the industry.

The airline is open to buying assets, Scott Kirby said, but large-scale consolidation is not in the cards.

Scott Kirby defended his vision of a massive combined airline that would create “millions” of jobs and make the U.S. more competitive globally.

Robert Isom said the airline has a history of being “aggressive” with the right opportunities.

A potential deal could transform the U.S. airline industry, but only if approved by regulators.

Ed Bastian alluded to potential mergers and bankruptcies for carriers that cannot produce a return on investment for their owners.

But Sean Duffy stressed that any deal would still be scrutinized for its potential impact on prices and industry competition.