Delta considering bid for US Airways

Delta Air Lines is considering a bid for US Airways Group as North American carriers re-evaluate possible combinations following the bankruptcy of American Airlines parent AMR Corp, people familiar with the matter said. A possible combination with US Airways is only one of the options the Atlanta-based carrier is considering amid an ongoing review of the competitive landscape that may not lead to any offers, said two of the people, who declined to be identified because the discussions are private. Delta hasn't approached US Airways, one of the people said. Delta and TPG Capital also are evaluating possible bids for American, people familiar with the matter have said, and US Airways has confirmed it's doing the same. Article continues below American, the third- largest US carrier, filed for bankruptcy November 29 after annual losses that began in 2008. The filing touched off widespread reviews by US airlines of all their competitors for possible mergers and acquisitions as well as purchases of assets that might be divested in a restructuring, one of the people said. Delta declined to comment on any consideration of a US Airways bid, citing its policy against discussing rumours or speculation, said Betsy Talton, a spokeswoman. US Airways also declined to comment, said Todd Lehmacher, a spokesman. Following AMR's bankruptcy, analysts speculated that it might receive an offer from US Airways, and chief executive officer Doug Parker said this week that his company, the fifth-largest US carrier, is evaluating the possibility of such a merger. Opportunities Millstein & Co, Barclays and the law firm of Latham & Watkins have been hired to help Tempe, Arizona-based US Airways evaluate AMR options, Parker told analysts and investors. "We can now decide whether it's best to operate as a standalone or to participate in further consolidation over time, and that's what we intend to do," Parker said. US Airways is "always interested in studying potential value-enhancing opportunities." With the industry shrinking in tie-ups in the past four years, further contraction is possible while not imperative, Parker said. US Airways is preparing a merger plan that would boost revenue and fix a weak domestic route system at American, people familiar with the matter said this month. President Scott Kirby is leading the analysis, said the people. "We expect AMR will remain in bankruptcy for quite some time and, therefore, we and our advisers will be studying the situation for quite some time," Parker said on the call. United Continental Holdings Inc is now the biggest US carrier after its predecessor, UAL Corp, merged with Continental Airlines Inc in 2010. No 2 Delta bought Northwest Airlines Corp in 2008, and No 4 Southwest acquired AirTran Holdings Inc last year. Delta's evaluation of a US Airways bid was reported by the Wall Street Journal yesterday.