American, US Airways get go-ahead for merger

Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas

American Airlines is marking a merger milestone, and US Airways is one step closer toward extinction.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday granted the two airlines the authority to operate as a single carrier.

The FAA decision means that American Airlines Group Inc. can combine workforces, websites and reservations systems starting this fall, but passengers won’t notice much difference right away.

Eventually, the US Airways name will disappear and its planes will be repainted in American’s colors and logo. The company already has combined the two frequent-flier programs.