American, US Airways extend merger deadline

FORT WORTH, Texas US Airways and Fort Worth-based American Airlines have extended their merger deadline by a month to give themselves time for an antitrust trial.

That trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 25.

Parent AMR Corp. filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2011. A federal judge on Sept. 12 approved American's plan to emerge from bankruptcy protection and merge with US Airways.

Their original agreement allowed either side to call off the merger Dec. 17 -- but the trial might not be done by then. The new agreement extends that period until Jan. 18, or later if the court rules in favor of the airlines.

The Justice Department has sued to stop the planned merger, saying it will hurt competition.

The carriers disagree.