By Jui Chakravorty Jui Chakravorty – Tue Feb 23, 9:36 pm ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Top executives at two of the five largest U.S. airlines said on Tuesday they are open to a merger, adding that the airline industry needs to consolidate to return to profitability.
Speaking at the Reuters Travel and Leisure Summit in New York, United Airlines (UAUA.O) chief financial officer Kathryn Mikells said the third-largest U.S. airline is open to merging with U.S. or foreign carriers.
"UAL has been supportive of consolidation for a long time," Mikells said at the summit. "It is something we will continue to look at."
US Airways (LCC.N) Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr, in a separate interview at the summit, said his airline was open to merging with another U.S. carrier. [nN23123419]
