It's always tricky for an airline at OA hubs but CO doesn't really need ORD and MDW.

The service is being discontinued June 1. Don't ask me how I know this but the only A/C that CO would have available starting in June for MDW would have been XRJs that require 20% of the seats to be held. With fares to CLE already so low, it would have made even less sense to keep flying it.

I wouldn't read too much into regarding any potential merger with United. This makes sense with or without merger. And besides, I think Kellner will still get cold feet about a deal and try to figure a way to survive without one (at least with UA, which Tilton has run into the ground).