http://www.ajc.com/business/southwest-plans-to-close-919429.html
Southwest plans to close acquisition of AirTran May 2
By Kelly Yamanouchi
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Southwest Airlines said it plans to close its acquisition of AirTran Airways on May 2.
Dallas-based Southwest and Orlando-based AirTran announced their plans to merge last September. The deal will bring Southwest to Atlanta and will eventually bring an end to the AirTran name. AirTran is the second-largest carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Dallas-based Southwest announced its plans to close the transaction in a press release on its first-quarter earnings Thursday morning. The company is still waiting for clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for the deal, but said it expects to receive all regulatory approvals by May 2.
"We look forward to that milestone day," said Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly in a written statement.
The deal has already received approval from AirTran shareholders, which was the only shareholder approval required for the deal. Once the deal closes, it could be two years before operations of the two airlines are fully combined.
Southwest plans to close acquisition of AirTran May 2
By Kelly Yamanouchi
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Southwest Airlines said it plans to close its acquisition of AirTran Airways on May 2.
Dallas-based Southwest and Orlando-based AirTran announced their plans to merge last September. The deal will bring Southwest to Atlanta and will eventually bring an end to the AirTran name. AirTran is the second-largest carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Dallas-based Southwest announced its plans to close the transaction in a press release on its first-quarter earnings Thursday morning. The company is still waiting for clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for the deal, but said it expects to receive all regulatory approvals by May 2.
"We look forward to that milestone day," said Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly in a written statement.
The deal has already received approval from AirTran shareholders, which was the only shareholder approval required for the deal. Once the deal closes, it could be two years before operations of the two airlines are fully combined.