Reports: American Airlines Unions Will Back Takeover Bid By US Airways

DALLAS (AP) — Unions at American Airlines plan to support a potential takeover offer by rival US Airways, according to two people familiar with the situation.

The unions believe that combining with US Airways would give American the best chance to grow and preserve jobs, said the two, who spoke on condition that they not be identified because no decision has been announced.

An announcement from the unions is possible as early as Friday morning, they said.

A spokesman for American, which is based in Fort Worth, says that the company is focused on its own plan to reorganize under bankruptcy protection, which he calls the best option for the airline's 73,000 employees.

US Airways, based in Tempe, Ariz., declined to comment.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.