AirTran Airways shareholders voted yesterday to sell the airline to Southwest for $1.4 billion. More than 98.6% of shareholders voted, with 77.5% voted for the sale. The deal still needs to be approved by federal antitrust regulators before it can close the deal, which it expects to do in the next three months. The two airlines will continue to operate separately until the FAA allows Southwest to absorb AirTran, which is expected by early 2012. AirTran directors had unanimously endorsed the sale. Shareholders voted during a special meeting at an airport hotel near the company’s Orlando headquarters.

This content is restricted to site members.

If you are an existing user, please login below.
New users may register below.

Existing Users Log In