American Airlines has firmly denied reports that it is in merger discussions with United Airlines, pushing back against recent speculation about potential consolidation in the U.S. aviation industry.

In a statement released Friday, American said it is “not engaged with or interested in any discussions” regarding a merger with its rival, adding that such a combination would be harmful to both competition and consumers.

The airline also emphasized that a merger between the two biggest carriers would likely conflict with antitrust principles, signaling strong regulatory concerns in an already highly concentrated market.

The denial follows a report by Bloomberg on April 13, which claimed that United CEO Scott Kirby had raised the idea of a merger with U.S. government officials earlier this year.

The discussion comes amid broader debate about consolidation in the airline sector. Earlier in April, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested there may be room for additional mergers within the industry, fueling speculation about potential deals.

American, however, made clear that its strategy remains focused on independent growth. The carrier said it will continue executing its long-term plans rather than pursuing large-scale consolidation.

The statement highlights the ongoing tension between market pressures that often drive consolidation and regulatory scrutiny aimed at preserving competition, particularly in an industry where a handful of major airlines dominate domestic travel in the United States.

For now, any prospect of a merger between American and United appears firmly off the table, even as discussions about the future structure of the aviation industry continue.