Merger discussions soon broke down, however.
Previous merger discussions between the two companies collapsed in February.
During the merger discussions between KLM and Air France in 2003, Alitalia offered to join in.
The merger discussions eventually ended, likely in part because of Stoppelman's idiosyncratic vision.
In one case, merger discussions proceeded with the benefit of lawyers and common board connections.
Negotiations came after CF Industries and Yara International of Norway shelved separate merger discussions in October.
Last fall, Sony Pictures also had merger discussions with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Merger discussions with other railroads failed, and it began bankruptcy proceedings in March 1975.
Mr. Burgum said the merger discussions with SAP were discontinued soon afterward.
Microsoft and Yahoo had held unsuccessful merger discussions earlier that year.
Mr. Moscovici hinted that the French government had been aware of the merger discussions for some time.
