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| Photo: Alaska Airlines |
[Avionics Today 05-17-2016] Alaska Airlines and Virgin America have received a request for additional information from the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with Alaska’s proposed acquisition of Virgin America.
Alaska and Virgin America have been cooperating fully with regulators since the announcement of the proposed acquisition, according to a statement released by the two carriers. A second request, which is a standard part of the DOJ review process, extends the period that the parties must wait to close the transaction, until 30 days after Alaska and Virgin America have complied with the information request, or the waiting period is otherwise terminated by the DOJ.
Alaska and Virgin America have stated that they will respond promptly to the DOJ’s request. The two airlines believe they will obtain regulatory approval and complete the transaction no later than Jan. 1, 2017. The proposed acquisition is also subject to approval of Virgin America’s shareholders in addition to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.