AirTran Stockholders Approve Southwest Merger

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AirTran Stockholders Approve Southwest Merger By Eddy Metcalf

		March 24, 2011 - AirTran Holdings, Inc. the parent company of AirTran Airways, announced on Wednesday that its stockholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. with and into AirTran at a special meeting held in Orlando. More than 98.6 percent of the votes cast and 77.5 percent of shares outstanding were voted in favor of the transaction. "We are grateful for our stockholders' strong vote of confidence in this merger," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "In approving the transaction, our stockholders recognized the value of bringing together AirTran and Southwest to create a platform for increased profitability and sustainable long-term value."

AirTran and Southwest announced the proposed merger on September 27, 2010. The companies are awaiting clearance on the proposed merger from the United States Department of Justice. The merger is currently expected to close by during the second quarter of 2011. Southwest will to integrate AirTran into the Southwest brand by welcoming AirTran its employees into the Southwest. The closing of the acquisition will not necessarily trigger changes in pay rates for AirTran Crew Members. The pay rates for Crew Members either presently covered by AirTran collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), or who will be covered by Southwest CBAs, will be determined by the applicable, respective CBAs, as modified by any transition agreement. With respect to other employees, a number of factors could impact any pay changes, including for example, whether or not the AirTran Crew Members move to the same position or an alternative position at Southwest, and when that role becomes available. On Tuesday flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), reached a tentative agreement with AirTran Airways. Mediated talks took place under the auspices of the National Mediation Board. The two-year agreement calls for pay increases and enhanced work rules. Specific terms will not be released until the over 2,000 Flight Attendants have had a chance to review the details. The tentative agreement will be sent out for membership review and ratification. The results will be counted on April 18. If ratified, the agreement would take effect May 1.

?AirTran Flight Attendants deserve a contract that reflects the contributions we have made to the success of our carrier,? said Alison Head, AFA AirTran President. ?While AirTran Flight Attendants look forward to the opportunities ahead with Southwest Airlines, we remained committed to negotiating improvements that advance our careers immediately. Over the past five weeks, AirTran Flight Attendants have been picketing across the country, sending a message that we would not rest until we had a new agreement in place. The company responded by coming to the table with responsible proposals.?

		In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 71 cities in 36 states. Other News Stories (For the latest news please checkout our home page) 54th Annual Avionics Convention Opened In Reno Nevada Going To The Bathroom On U.S. Commercial Aircraft Could Be Fatal After Two Years, Fired Pilot At Ryanair Gets Job Back New Orleans Control Tower Given Notice Of Workplace Safety Violations Air Force F-22 Breaks Sound Barrier On Camelina Based Biofuel Gulfstream G250 Completes Aircraft Natural Icing Tests Sikorsky Aircraft Opens New CH-53K Helicopter Assembly Plant In Florida To Date No Flight Restrictions In And Out Of Japan Airports Bombardier CSeries Aircraft Systems Testing Begins EASA Certifies Garmin G500H Glass Cockpit On The Eurocopter AS350 The Boeing 747-8 Makes A Successful First Flight Customs Officer Smuggled Drug Money And Guns Though ATL Airport O?Hare Airport To Receive Federal Funding For Airport Improvements Omniflight Completes Level 1 Of The FAA SMS Program Aircraft Maintenance In America Who Is Fixing My Plane? NTEU Tells Congress CBP Staffing Must Be Increased Bernard von NotHaus Convicted of Minting His Own Currency United Airlines Mechanics Secure Tentative Agreement With Airline NTSB Urges Pilots To Be Vigilant For Meteorological Evaluation Towers TSA 2012 Budget Proposal Is The Right Path For Agency FAA Warns Rotorcraft Pilots On The Use Of Garmin 400/500 With TAWS IATA, Japan Crisis To Have Impact On Global Air Transport Markets CSeries Aircraft Has Permanent Home At ICAO Headquarters Lobby Boeing To Construct Second Oklahoma City Facility Airbus Rolls Out The Biggest Carbon Fuselage Panel For A350 XWB Aircraft FAA Issues Residential ?Through The Fence? Policy Northrop Completes Third Flight Of X-47B Unmanned Aircraft Sonex Aircraft Accepting Deposits On Folding Wing Sport Aircraft Midwest Airlines Flight Attendants Win Major Victory U.S Travel Association Unveils Air Travel Security Screening System Airline Ramp And Fleet Service Workers Receive Support To Unionize Open Travel Enrollment For Hispanic College Students Lanzate Program