United Airlines' CEO, Scott Kirby, confirmed that he approached American Airlines about a potential merger, his first public acknowledgment of his proposal. Despite American Airlines' refusal to engage in discussions, Kirby argued that the merger would benefit travelers and create a truly great airline that customers love. The confirmation comes amid speculation about a merger between the two major U.S. airlines due to rising jet fuel prices linked to the Iran war and reports that Kirby had approached the White House about the idea. American Airlines, itself the result of a 2013 merger with US Airways Group, publicly rejected the merger. The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered about 300 daily flights cut from peak summer schedules at O’Hare International Airport, later than initially planned, following a decision by the FAA to give airlines additional time to adjust their schedules.