footprint #2

NYTのNews Alertからです。再編が進む航空業界ですが、ＵＳエアウェイズとアメリカン航空（親会社ＡＭＲ）取締役会は両社の合併を了承しました。１４日にも正式発表される見通しで、実現すれば世界最大の航空会社が誕生することになります。

Boards of American and US Airways Are Said to Approve a Merger

Ending a yearlong courtship by US Airways, American Airlines agreed on Wednesday to merge with the smaller carrier, paving the way for the creation of the nation’s largest airline.

The boards of both companies met separately to approve the combination, according to two people with knowledge of the vote. A merger would bolster American’s domestic footprint, strengthen its presence in the Northeast and give it a bigger network to attract business travelers and corporate accounts.

The merger, the details of which will be announced Thursday morning, would create a rival with the size and breadth to compete against United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which have both grown through mergers of their own in recent years and are currently the biggest.

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/american-and-us-airways-said-to-vote-for-merger/?emc=na

通常「足跡」という意味で押さえられているfootprintですが、軍事関係では「プレゼンス」（http://d.hatena.ne.jp/A30/20121001/1349076129）、経済関係では「拠点」や「基地」などの意味で用いられることがあります。チェックしておきましょう。（UG）