DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to start, though, with the dwindling number of major airlines in the U.S. and what it may mean for the cost of flying. Two more carriers are reportedly about to join forces. The "Washington Post" reporting today that American Airlines will announce its plans to buy financially troubled TWA. We will talk about the effect on consumers in just a few minutes. But first, though, we're going to get the latest from reporter Melissa Tamplin of CNN affiliate WFAA. She is live at Dallas-Fort Worth, American Airline headquarters in Dallas. Good morning.</s>MELISSA TAMPLIN, WFAA REPORTER: Good morning, Daryn. We have not received any official word here from American officials, but if this buyout goes through, it will end one of the longest running names in airline history. TWA Airlines has filed for bankruptcy twice in the past 15 years. This would be a third time. Now, the "Washington Post" is reporting that American Airlines will announce on Wednesday that it will buy TWA, its assets and its 20,000 employees. As I mentioned, here at American's headquarters, the officials not saying anything officially at this point. As we've called in this morning, they have directed all of our media calls to a hotline, and this is what that hotline has to say. And so, as we've said, this is a big deal in the airline industry. Many people are saying this may be American's response to the buyout and merger between United Airlines and US Airways, which would tie up about 30 percent of the airline market. So big news here. We're expecting an announcement possibly on Wednesday. Reporting live in Dallas-Fort Worth, Melissa Tamplin. Back to you, Daryn.</s>KAGAN: Melissa, thank you very much.
American Airlines to Buy TWA