Southwest, AirTran merger OK’d by FAA

3/2/2012

BLADE STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

ATLANTA — Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways have the official go-ahead from the federal government to combine their operations.

The two carriers received approval for a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday. Dallas-based Southwest last year closed its deal to acquire Orlando-based AirTran.

But Southwest warned the integration will take years to complete.