Stakes high for NC as airlines scout more mergers

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — Signs of more airline industry consolidation are raising questions about the US Airways hub that’s key to luring businesses to the Charlotte area.

The Charlotte Observer reports a deal involving US Airways could have a big impact on the city since the airline operates about 90 percent of the airport’s daily flights. The concentration of flights in and out of Charlotte is attractive to companies that need to be able to fly easily to far-away operations, make sales calls, and bring in visitors.

US Airways says it’s studying a bid for American. Delta is reported to be looking at US Airways.

The newspaper says airline analysts think a US Airways merger with Delta would put Charlotte’s hub at greater risk because Delta has a major hub in Atlanta.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)