Southwest reaches agreement with pilots on merger

Southwest Airlines announced it has reached an agreement with its pilots regarding the integration of AirTran pilots (Kansas City Business Journal/St Louis Business Journal/USA Today, 28-Feb-2011). The pilots, represented by Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, will be integrated into Southwest after the official legal closing of Southwest's USD3.4 billion acquisition of AirTran. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly announced at a hearing, the company's merger with AirTran is needed to help the carriers stay competitive, particularly at US' Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. The carriers announced they are hoping to complete the merger in 2Q2011.