American Airlines' pilots union still supports a merger with US Airways Group, a union spokesman said on Thursday, and it was unmoved by a pitch from AMR Chief Executive Tom Horton that the company should exit chapter 11 as an independent carrier, Reuters reported yesterday. Next week, US Airways CEO Doug Parker is expected to meet with the board of the Allied Pilots Association. Horton, who became CEO of American parent AMR Corp as the company filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2011, requested the meeting with the pilots union leadership and met with the board for about three hours on Thursday. US Air has been pushing for a merger with American all year, and its plan has the support of unions that represent American's flight attendants and ground workers, in addition to the pilots union. The two carriers combined would be on par with current No. 1 United Continental Holdings in scope. American Airlines creditors want a potential merger with US Airways to be an all-stock deal rather than one that pays some claims in cash. Merger discussions among US Airways, AMR and its creditors are reported to be at an advanced stage.
