Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he thinks there’s “room” for some mergers in the U.S. aviation industry.

“President Trump, he loves to see big deals happen,” Duffy said during an interview on CNBC April 7. 

The comments come as airlines are grappling with higher jet fuel prices due to the U.S.’ ongoing war with Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for oil transports. The situation could lead to airlines that are better positioned to absorb the higher costs acquiring those that are struggling. 

U.S. airline mergers have to be reviewed and approved by the Transportation Department, as well as the Department of Justice. Duffy said the government would look at a number of factors when considering potential tie-ups, including the impact on competition — both domestically and globally — and ticket prices. 

“Is there room for some mergers in the aviation industry? Yeah, I think there is,” he said. 

However, Duffy added that he wouldn’t “pre-commit to anything.”

He also said if there is a merger between two larger airlines, they’ll have to “peel off” some of their assets because the U.S. doesn’t want to see one carrier with too much market share, which could drive up consumer prices. 

Duffy, who was speaking at a Boeing Co. plant in South Carolina, also said the U.S. planemaker is having a “comeback story” after taking steps in the right direction with training and manufacturing capabilities. “They’re in a great place,” he said. “This is the greatest export of any company in America.”