By Christina Mlynski
Fort Worth-based American Airlines officially announced itsbrmerger completion with U.S. Airways Monday, creating the world's largestbrairline.
The merged airline will take thebrAmerican Airlines name and will have a global network with roughly 6,700 dailybrflights to more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries. Additionally,brmore than 100,000 employees will join the company worldwide, according to anbrAmerican Airlines statement.
"Our people, our customers andbrthe communities we serve around the world have been anticipating the arrival ofbrthe new American," said Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines. "Webrare taking the best of both US Airways and American Airlines to create abrformidable competitor, better positioned to deliver for all of ourbrstakeholders. We look forward to integrating our companies quickly andbrefficiently so the significant benefits of the merger can be realized."
AmericanbrAirlines will now begin the process of combining two airlines. The merger willbrpossess the scale, capabilities and breadth to compete more effectively andbrproduce more profitability in the marketplace.
However, both airlines willbrmaintain separate websites as well as reservation systems and loyalty programsbrin the short-term.
The processbrto receive a single operating certificate — allowing the airlines to combinebroperations — will take 18 to 24 months, the airline explained. In thebrforeseeable future, it will be “business as usual,” as the airlines continue tobroperate separately.
Customers will experience the firstbrround of a combined airline in January, when both companies begin to offer somebrreciprocal frequent-flier benefits. For instance, customers will have thebrability to earn and redeem miles when traveling on either airline.
AmericanbrAirlines will have one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the industrybrplus a solid foundation for continued investment in technology, products andbrservices with firm order for more than 600 new mainline aircrafts. Additionally,brthere will be a co-location of ticket counters and gates in key markets.
Employeesbrof the new American Airlines will benefit from being part of a company with abrstronger financial foundation and competitive edge — creating greater careerbropportunities over the long-term. Alignment of benefits, work rules and paybrguidelines for employees of both airlines will be phased in over time, so thatbrall changes are carefully considered.
Thebrcombination of airlines is expected to deliver enhanced value to AmericanbrAirlines' stakeholders and U.S. Airways' investors. The transaction is expectedbrto generate more than $1 billion in annual net interactions by 2015.