AirTran

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Southwest touts benefits of AirTran deal

Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines Co. said Thursday it expects to win over new customers and bring lower fares to unserved cities should its purchase of AirTran Holdings Inc. be completed.

“This really has the opportunity financially to be a hone run for our shareholders, our employees and customers,” Southwest Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning Bob Jordan told a media briefing at company headquarters in Dallas. Get the full story »

Southwest, AirTran announce fare sales

Both Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways announced short-term fall fare sales Tuesday.

Southwest’s sale, which ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time Thursday, offers one-way tickets for $30, $60, $90 and $120 to select destinations, based on the length of travel. There are blackout periods during the December holiday period. Get the full story »

JetBlue CEO: Southwest buy won’t affect growth

Southwest Airlines Co.’s plan to buy AirTran Holdings will not affect JetBlue Airways’ intent to grow organically, JetBlue’s chief executive said.

In a memo to employees obtained by Reuters, Dave Barger said JetBlue “would not be distracted” by the planned Southwest purchase of AirTran for $1.4 billion in cash and stock. Get the full story »

Southwest Airlines to buy AirTran

An AirTran plane takes off. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file

The proposed consolidation between Southwest and AirTran could lead to higher airfares at Midway Airport, especially to vacation destinations, according to one industry analyst.

“A lot of the rock-bottom fares from Midway to Florida were often initiated by AirTran,” said Joseph Schwieterman, a transportation expert at DePaul University, Chicago.

The merger would increase the pace at which Midway is becoming what Schwieterman called “a one-airline act.” Get the full story »

How AirTran-Southwest merger affects customers

By Sara K. Clarke, Orlando Sentinel | Orlando-based AirTran Airways said today it has agreed to be bought by Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, which is the busiest carrier at Orlando International Airport. What does this mean for customers and shareholders? Read on to see: Get the full story »

Air fares are up even without the fees, DOT says

If you think air fares have been rising, it’s not your imagination.

Figures just released from the government, though a bit dated, show that airline prices in the first three months of this year rose nearly 5 percent from a year earlier. And that doesn’t include baggage fees and other extras.

But average fares are 25 percent lower than they were in 1999 adjusting for inflation, the government says. Get the full story »