Airline giant facing bankruptcy

Trading in United Airlines’ shares was halted in the US today after they plunged 59%, a day after the world’s second-largest carrier lost its request for government loan backing it said was needed to keep it out of bankruptcy.

Amid heightened speculation on Wall Street that a bankruptcy filing may be imminent, the New York Stock Exchange stopped trading in United’s shares because of ”news that’s pending that could materially affect the trading of the stock,” NYSE spokesman Ray Pellecchia said.