Breaking: Justice department approves United – Continental merger

Just a couple of months after the airlines themselves approved their merger, United Airlines and Continental Airlines have received the blessing from the Department of Justice to form one airline.

The Department issued a statement that they had investigated the proposed merger and agreed to it after the two airlines were willing to give up some airport slots to Southwest Airlines for use at Newark Airport.

According to the New York Times, the next step is shareholder approval on September 17. If that hurdle clears, it’ll be several weeks till the two formally become one.

Next week, we’ll take a closer look what the merger means for passengers, and what kind of changes you can expect if you fly these airlines.