Skift Take
Parker and Horton didn't get everything that they wanted from the DOJ, but they still will end up with the largest airline on the planet. Not a bad position to be in.
American Airlines' outgoing CEO Tom Horton called today's settlement between US Airways, American Airlines and the U.S. Justice Department "A win win win."
In a press conference this afternoon, leaders of American Airlines and US Airways issued their response to a settlement with the DOJ that will allow their proposed merger to proceed.
Whether or not it will be a win for customers still remains to be seen, but it is already looking good for the new American: What was a $13 billion combined market cap when the merger was announced has risen to $17 billion.
Horton set the tone of the conference. He often answered first and directed questions to American's incoming CEO and current US Airways chief executive Doug Parker, as well as US Airways President Scott Kirby. Horton is scheduled to leave the CEO role following the merger and become chairman of the new American.
The settlement would have to be approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which appears likely considering the DOJ's support for it, as well as the airlines' stated desire to cooperate.
The next step for the new American Airlines is a heari
