United-Continental merger on track: CEO

United Continental CEO Jeff Smisek stated the merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines is on track and should be completed by the end of 2011 (Reuters, 09-Jun-2011). The carrier is moving toward a single designation by the Federal Aviation Administration and expects to realise more than USD1 billion in annual revenue benefits and cost savings by 2013. Meanwhile, Air Line Pilots Association's United chapter Chairman Wendy Morse stated efforts at reaching a joint pilot contract are "nowhere near on schedule" and until a deal is done "this merger cannot be considered anything close to a success".