American, US Airways,To Merge Dec. 9

The American Airlines and U.S. Airways merger was given final approval, and will come together as of Dec. 9 to form the world’s largest airline. A New York bankruptcy court that has overseen American’s two-year Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings approved the two airlines’ antitrust settlement with the Justice Department on Nov. 27. The combined airlines will be renamed American Airlines Group Inc., and as of Jan. 7 will begin integrating some functions, such as frequent flier miles. The only potential obstacle is a consumer lawsuit whose bid for a temporary restraining order was rejected by the bankruptcy court. That ruling could still be appealed.