DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines Co. said Friday its proposed $1.4 billion purchase of AirTran Airways is likely to close in the second quarter.
The company had previously said the deal would close in the first half of 2011.
In a blog posted on the airline's website Friday, senior vice president Jeff Lamb said the company now has "a little clearer picture of the timeframe" for getting Justice Department approval for the deal, narrowing it down to the second quarter.
Last month, Southwest said federal antitrust regulators had requested more information about the deal.
By buying rival low-fare carrier AirTran, Southwest would expand to Atlanta and the Southeast, plus add AirTran's destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Dallas-based Southwest carries more U.S. passengers than any other airline.
Southwest shares rose 29 cents, or 2.3 percent, to close at $12.93.
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