MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Indications are that UAL Corp. , the parent of United Airlines, remains open to the idea of a merger with another carrier, accord to a Business Week report. Saddled with one of the thinnest profit margins in the industry, Chicago-based UAL is exploring asset sales as well as spinning off Mileage Plus, its frequent-flier program, as a way of becoming more attractive as a prospective merger partner, the magazine reported in its Dec. 3 issue. Moreover, United's on record as saying it plans to rely on its existing fleet of 460 jets until 2015 or 2016 -- at a time when rival carriers have been busy placing orders for new aircraft. One potential merger candidate, Delta Air Lines Inc. , shot down talk of doing a deal with UAL earlier this month, but investors and analysts remain of the view that Delta's the most logical choice for UAL and Chief Executive Glenn Tilton, followed by U.S. Airways Group . Tilton wasn't available for comment, Business Week reported.