Another merger between major airlines? Maybe. It was reported yesterday that United Airlines and delta airlines have been quietly discussing merging. The second and third largest carriers are looking to offset rising oil prices and jet fuel expenses to help cut costs. If the merger took place, United would become the combined airlines name and the corporate headquarters would remain in Chicago.

However, both airlines have issued statements denying reports of a merger.

There is a sense of urgency in the most recent talks, which have been going on for some time and continued as recently as a week or so ago, the official with knowledge of the talks said Wednesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly. The official stood by the assertions about the talks after learning of the statements by Delta Air Lines Inc. and United, a unit of UAL Corp.

"They want to get something done before a new administration gets in and so they get the clock ticking on" federal regulatory approval, the official said.

Financial details were not clear. But the talks involve United being the name of the combined airlines, the headquarters staying in Chicago and Delta's Atlanta hub being an operational center for the two carriers, the official said. One possible scenario involves Delta's Anderson being the chief of the combined airline, the official said.

Delta also has had talks with other airlines, the official said, without specifying which airline or the status of any such talks.

Shares of Delta rose 77 cents, or 4.1 percent, to $19.52 Wednesday while UAL shares gained 67 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $44.17.

When Anderson was named in August as Delta CEO to replace Grinstein, there was immediate speculation in the investment community that Delta and Northwest might eventually merge. Anderson is a former CEO of Northwest Airlines Corp.

Anderson immediately tried to dispel such speculation, telling Delta employees he wasn't coming to Delta to facilitate a deal with Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest.

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