Continental, United expected to merge

Deal would be announced Monday; airline would keep United brand - WSJ

updated 1 hour, 57 minutes ago

After scuttling their talks two years ago, Continental Airlines and United Airlines are expected to announce a merger Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal.

If completed, the deal would create the world's largest ariline by traffic.

The deal could still fall through, but talks appear to be on track, according to unidentified "people familiar with the matter" cited by the Journal.

The United board will meet Friday and Continental’s will meet Friday and Sunday to discuss the deal, sources told the Journal.

Continental has agreed in theory that the new airline would be based in Chicago, home of United, and retain the United brand, the newspaper said on its Web site.

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