What impact will today's merger of U.S. Airways and American Airlines have on Akron-Canton Airport ? Airport Vice President Kristie Van Auken says the merger could benefit the airport in the future since U.S Airways already has several flights daily from Akron-Canton.

" Akron-Canton is lucky to have U.S. Airways flying here with five daily trips. They've been here for over 40 years, so in the short term we expect zero change, but over the long term we're hoping that as U.S. Airways and American combine that there could be more opportunities for CAK," says Van Auken.

Van Auken says the merger could also extend the airport's reach. " It just gives you better access really to the globe. At this point we've got great east coast access on U.S. Airways, but this could maybe open up Dallas for us. It could open up maybe even Miami, and some other really great cities."  

The merger will create the world's largest airline and Van Auken says mergers are the future of the airline industry to meet constantly escalating fuel prices and other challenges to airlines bottom lines.