American Airlines CEO says merger with United would be 'bad for customers'

american airlines ceo robert isom said a merger with united would be anticompetitive and "bad for customers." he called the idea a "nonstarter from the get-go" in a cnbc interview thursday, shortly after american reported first-quarter results. united ceo scott kirby floated the merger idea to a trump administration official earlier this year, according to people familiar with the matter. isom declined to say if united made a formal inquiry. on friday, american issued a statement saying it is "not engaged with or interested in any discussions regarding a merger." president trump said he was against the idea earlier this week, telling cnbc's "squawk box" he doesn't "like having them merge." he did say he'd like someone to buy struggling discount carrier spirit, and suggested the federal government could "help that one out." the trump administration is in advanced talks for a rescue package for spirit that could give the government a significant ownership stake.