The latest consolidation in the North American airline industry is official. Southwest Airlines and AirTran are one in a deal which cost Southwest an estimated $1.4 billion in cash and shares. Completed on 2 May, it was preceded by a most interesting April. Positive steps on the road to amalgamation – clearance from the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association to begin seniority negotiations with AirTran pilots and the nod from Department of Justice officials – were overshadowed by one really newsworthy incident at the beginning of the month and a lesser one toward the end.
As is normally the case, the two airlines, with a combined total of just under 700 aircraft, will operate separately until a single operating certificate is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Southwest folks hope that it will be achieved in early 2012 so aircraft and airline enthusiasts will continue to see AirTran aircraft around for a while.
Follow the two links below for more information:
(above) Two to one. Foreshadowing the latest airline acquisition, Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-3H4 N373SW taxies out at Orlando International Airport, Florida while AirTran Boeing 717-231 N921AT/790 holds for takeoff in February 2011. Although AirTran operates the largest fleet of 717s, at 86 aircraft, it is also a major 737-700 series customer with over 50 in service and more than 50 on order. Southwest has, for most of its existence, been an all-737 airline and its current fleet totals around 550 aircraft most of which are of the -700 series variety. At this point in time, Southwest Airlines will continue to operate the smaller 717s on routes requiring less capacity than the 737s offer.
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