It was a year ago this week that United Airlines announced its plans to buy US Airways. Now, some experts say the deal may not and should not happen, a local newspaper reported.

According to the Denver Post, United lost more money, more stock value and more passengers than nearly every one of its competitors last year. It has also lost its top position in the industry while its customers endured the worst service in company history, the paper said.

Experts are calling the proposed merger "a financial tar pit."

"I think they've taken their eye off the ball," ING Barings airline analyst Ray Neidl told the Post. "They should concentrate on their own business --- improving employee relations, customer service and bringing the traffic back. With the slowing economy, they have additional risks, and they need to address those."

But United's chief executive, Jim Goodwin, believes the $11.6 billion deal is a perfect fit.

According to the paper, Goodwin has staked his reputation on completing the merger and capturing US Airway's strong East Coat network and its 50 million passengers.

"The US Airways acquisition isn't dead," Goodwin told investors at a May 17 meeting in Florida. "Do we have issues to manage our way through? Sure. But we have had over 500 United employees working on this issue since last August."

United officials said that their recent problems stem from a combination of rising fuel prices and labor costs, disruptions by pilots last summer and a slowing economy.