OPINION: United Airlines CEO and Foreign Ownership

United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton has stated more than once (and as recently as yesterday) that the US needs to loosen up on foreign ownership rules for airlines. He goes on about how US airlines have "stood on the sideline" as international alliance formed left and right. He is worried, nay..."alarmed", that the US is not leading this charge. But I'm not here to talk about his quotes and noble concerns about the industry...I'm here to stir the pot with a lot of conjecture and speculation. Why is Mr. Tilton so vocal about foreign ownership laws? Think exit funding, Virgin America and Richard Branson and you'll have a hint of what I'm on about.

Reason 1: United needs money.
United needs cash to fund its exit from bankruptcy and my guess is they are having trouble finding this stateside. What leads me to say that? Hmmmm...maybe its the 3 years in bankruptcy and the continual exclusivity period extensions.

Reason 2: United is looking to merge globally
I've said before that CEO's normally don't make public statements without an agenda. Is it possible that United already has some ideas about who a possible suitor could be? I'll offer up the possibility of Virgin America, the start up airline struggling to start up backed by none other than Mr. Deep Pockets Richard Branson. (A) Branson has lots of money (B) Branson is struggling to find enough US funding to start a US airline because ironically he can't use his own money because of foreign ownership laws in the US!! Is he looking for a loophole via a merger with United?