AirTran stockholders approve Southwest merger

AirTran Holdings reported 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 March 23rd in Orlando. More than 98.6% of the votes cast and 77.5% of shares outstanding were voted in favor of the transaction. 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 during the second quarter of 2011.