American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix Sky Harbor) have announced that the two boards of directors have agreed to merge forming the largest carrier in the United States and the world overtaking United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) in terms of yearly passengers carried. The new merged airline will retain the American Airlines brand, be a member of Oneworld alliance and lead by current US Airways CEO Doug Parker with American Airlines CEO Tom Horton becoming chairman of the merged airline. American Airlines parent AMR debtors will own 72% of the airlines with US Airways shareholders receiving the remaining 28% of the stock. AMR currently operates under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will emerge from bankruptcy as part of the merger. The two carriers expect the merger to be completed within six months according to statements made by Doug Parker with the carrier’s headquarters to be near Dallas/Fort Worth. Fully owned regional carriers American Eagle Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth), Piedmont Airlines (PT, Salisbury, MD) and PSA Airlines (OH, Dayton James M. Cox) will continue to operate as separate carriers operating under the American Eagle brand going forward. American currently operates 604 aircraft with 277 aircraft operated by regional carriers. US Airways operates 337 aircraft with regional carriers operating 283 aircraft on its behalf. The combined fleet of both carriers will be approximately 1500 aircraft including regional partners according to ch-aviation data as of today. The two airlines have announced they continue to operate all hubs at Charlotte International, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles International, New York JFK, Miami International, Philadelphia International, Phoenix Sky Harbor and Washington National.