Why did Southwest merge with AirTran?

Why did Southwest merge with AirTran?

At the time it unveiled its acquisition of AirTran, Southwest outlined three major benefits it would derive from the purchase of its smaller rival – access to Atlanta, an ability to tap small markets and instant access to international markets in Latin America and the Caribbean operated by AirTran.

How much did Southwest pay for AirTran?

In the latest of a wave of mergers, Southwest Airlines agreed to buy AirTran Holdings for $1.4 billion in the first major merger among U.S. discount carriers.

What happened to AirTran Airways?

AirTran Airways, or simply AirTran, was a US budget carrier headquartered in Florida with its main hub in Atlanta. Operating mainly Boeing 717s and 737s, the airline would shuttle passengers around the US midwest and east coast. Operating for 21 years, AirTran ceased operations in 2014.

What Airlines did Southwest buy?

On May 2, 2011, Southwest Airlines closed on its purchase of all of the outstanding common stock of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), the former parent company of AirTran Airways (AirTran).

Does AirTran Airways still exist?

AirTran Airways has ceased to exist in an industry that has reshaped itself into something that would not be easily recognized when the Dallas carrier took its first flight about two decades ago. The trip, dubbed Flight 1, was a nod to the airline’s first flight in 1993, when it was known as ValuJet.

Did Southwest Airlines buy AirTran?

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that it has closed on its purchase of all of the outstanding common stock of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), the former parent company of AirTran Airways (AirTran).

Who owns AirTran Airways?

Southwest Airlines
AirTran HoldingsNew York Stock Exchange
AirTran Airways/Parent organizations

AirTran, which was acquired by Southwest in 2011, joins Northwest Airlines, which was bought by Delta, and Continental Airlines, which merged with United Airlines, in retirement. US Airways will disappear after it is folded into American Airlines — those two merged in December 2013 but still operate separately for now.

Is it true that southwest is buying AirTran?

Southwest Airlines (LUV) has announced that it’s going to buy AirTran (AAI). And, unlike the United/Continental merger, this is no merger of equals. It is a Southwest takeover through and through.

Why did Southwest Airlines merge with AirTran Airways?

Merging with AirTran also gives Southwest a major position at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the world’s busiest airport and the only major U.S. market not currently served by Southwest. For decades, Allen notes, Southwest has expanded largely through organic growth in small markets at airports on the fringe of major cities.

What is the market share of AirTran Airlines?

AirTran has a 22% domestic market share at Hartsfield-Jackson airport, with half of its flights originating and terminating there. The acquisition will give Southwest access to new customers by connecting passengers through the Southeast.

How many planes does Southwest fly with AirTran?

In a report, Hunter Keay, airline analyst at Stifel Nicolaus Capital Markets in Baltimore, Md., wrote that AirTran operates 87 B717 and 52 B737-700 aircraft. He expects Southwest to fly the planes under its own colors and its own interior seat configuration, eliminating AirTran’s first-class section.

Southwest Airlines (LUV) has announced that it’s going to buy AirTran (AAI). And, unlike the United/Continental merger, this is no merger of equals. It is a Southwest takeover through and through.

Merging with AirTran also gives Southwest a major position at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the world’s busiest airport and the only major U.S. market not currently served by Southwest. For decades, Allen notes, Southwest has expanded largely through organic growth in small markets at airports on the fringe of major cities.

AirTran has a 22% domestic market share at Hartsfield-Jackson airport, with half of its flights originating and terminating there. The acquisition will give Southwest access to new customers by connecting passengers through the Southeast.

In a report, Hunter Keay, airline analyst at Stifel Nicolaus Capital Markets in Baltimore, Md., wrote that AirTran operates 87 B717 and 52 B737-700 aircraft. He expects Southwest to fly the planes under its own colors and its own interior seat configuration, eliminating AirTran’s first-class section.