Southwest Airlines – AirTran Airways merger

This redirect is about the merger between Southwest Airlines and AirTran Holdings. For other uses, see Southwest Airlines – AirTran Airways merger (disambiguation).

Development

The Merger

On September 27, 2010, Southwest Airlines announced it would acquire Orlando-based AirTran Airways for a total cost to Southwest of $1.4 billion. The acquisition would give Southwest a significant presence at many of AirTran’s hubs such as Atlanta (the largest U.S. city without Southwest service), Milwaukee, WI, and expanded service in Baltimore, MD and Orlando, FL. With the merger, Southwest will now have international service to several leisure destinations such as Cancún and Aruba. Southwest will integrate AirTran's fleet of Boeing 717s and Boeing 737-700 series aircraft into Southwest Airlines brand and livery. The airlines plan to have the acquisition completed and finalized within the next two years; until then, operations for both carriers will remain as separate airlines.

Second Request

On November 9, 2010 Southwest Airlines and AirTran Holdings said that each received a request for additional information from the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice. The action is often referred to as a “second request.” Both companies are in the process of gathering information to respond to the second request and will continue to work cooperatively with the DOJ as it reviews the transaction.