The U.S. Department of Justice has approved Southwest’s $1.4 billion acquisition of AirTran Airways, The Wall Street Journal reports. Texas-based Southwest, which previously planned to complete the purchase by May 2, is now awaiting an order from the Transportation Department related to the transfer of routes. Following the completion of the deal, Southwest intends to secure Federal Aviation Administration certification to permit the two carriers to run as a single entity. The merged carrier will provide service on routes that neither AirTran nor Southwest currently serve.
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