Delta Turns Down Hedge Fund’s Urge to Merge

A hedge fund with shares in both Delta and United sent a letter to Delta urging the two airlines to merge, but Delta immediately tried to quash the speculation that a deal is in the offing or has even been discussed. Delta did not, however, brush off the general idea of a merger.

“There have been no talks with United regarding any type of consolidation transaction, and there are no such ongoing discussions,” Delta CEO Richard Anderson said.

But Anderson also said that Delta had been “consistent in our public statements that Delta believes that the right consolidation transaction could generate significant value for our shareholders and employees and that strategic options should be evaluated. With oil at over $90 a barrel, this analysis takes on a heightened importance as we factor those prices into our long-term planning process.”

Prior to receiving the letter from Pardus Capital Management, he said, Delta’s board had established a special committee to “work with management to review and analyze strategic options to ensure Delta maintains its leadership position.”

Delta also has retained financial and legal advisors to assist in the review and in the development of recommendations.

According to reports in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, Pardus argued in its letter to Delta that a merger with another carrier was “imperative” and that United was the best option.