The European Commission has cleared American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) to merge. AMR Corporation issued this statement:

AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., and US Airways Group, Inc. have announced that they have received clearance from the European Commission under the EC Merger Regulation for their proposed merger.

Tom Horton, chairman, president and CEO of AMR, and incoming Chairman of the Board of the combined company, said, “We are very pleased that the EU has approved the merger between American Airlines and US Airways.  This represents one of the final milestones on our path to becoming the new American Airlines.”

Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, and incoming CEO of the combined company, said, “The clearance by the European Commission is an important step toward closing this merger. The new American will benefit customers in the United States, Europe and across the world by enhancing connectivity within the oneworld alliance and creating more options for travel both domestically and internationally. We look forward to providing access to the best destinations in the world as the new American Airlines.”

As previously announced, AMR and US Airways agreed to combine to create the new American Airlines, a premier global carrier. Headquartered in Dallas/Fort Worth, the new American Airlines will become a highly competitive alternative for consumers to other global carriers and is expected to offer more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries.  The combined airline will offer customers more choices and increased service across a larger worldwide network and through an enhanced oneworld alliance. Together, American Airlines and US Airways are expected to operate a mainline fleet of almost 950 aircraft and employ more than 100,000 team members worldwide.

The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and confirmation of AMR’s Plan of Reorganization by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The companies continue to expect to complete the combination in the third quarter of 2013.

Top Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-823 N967AN (msn 29545) prepares to land at Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

American Airlines: 

US Airways: 

Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The final (U.S.) merger approvals will come down to the issue of DCA Slots. American-US Airways are fighting to preserve their dominating number of arrival and departure slots at Washington’s Reagan national Airport. US Airways’ Airbus A321-231 N556UW (msn 5244) banks after completing the “River Approach” into DCA.