Emirates said to seek Etihad takeover to create world’s largest airline 

Online news outlets are suggesting Emirates is looking at taking over ‘unprofitable’ Etihad, in a move that would create the world’s biggest carrier by passenger traffic.

Journalists claims that talks, which are at a preliminary stage, would see Dubai-based Emirates acquire the main airline business of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad, which would keep its maintenance arm.

An Emirates spokeswoman said the company doesn’t comment on speculation, as did a spokesman for Etihad.

The piece notes that were a transaction to go ahead, the enlarged airline operation would be bigger than that of American Airlines Group, which has a market value of $19.2bn.