US DEPT. OF JUSTICE GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO SOUTHWEST/AIRTRAN

The US DoJ yesterday confirmed that it has approved Southwest Airlines’ acquisition of AirTran Airways, clearing the way for a closing date of 2nd May 2011. DOJ’s antitrust division said in a statement that it has decided “not to challenge the acquisition after considering the consumer benefits from the new service.”. The DoJ “determined that the merger is not likely to substantially lessen competition. The merged firm will be able to offer new service on routes that neither serves today, including new connecting service from cities currently served by Southwest to cities currently served by AirTran” “low-cost carriers like Southwest