Now that Southwest Airlines is flying to Atlanta, its next step is getting federal approval to start bringing AirTran Airways' jets into its fleet.
That's expected about March 1.
Dallas-based Southwest also must take steps to enable passengers to connect their travels on Southwest and AirTran.
The company, which launched its first flights to Atlanta on Sunday, still operates the Southwest and AirTran flight schedules separately, meaning it does not sell tickets connecting between AirTran and Southwest flights. That link between the AirTran and Southwest routes won't happen until later this year, according to Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly.
Meanwhile, Southwest and AirTran are awaiting the go-ahead from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin combining the two carriers' operations. Even then, AirTran will continue to fly in slowly shrinking form, as Southwest gradually converts AirTran planes and takes over AirTran flights.
The transition is expected to be completed by 2015.
"We have a lot of work to do in integrating AirTran into Southwest," Kelly said.
Kelly predicts Southwest will ultimately have 175 to 200 daily flights out of Atlanta -- on par with what Southwest and AirTran together operate now. But that's fewer than the 220 daily departures AirTran operated when Southwest announced the acquisition in 2010. Kelly said he still expects Southwest could carry more passengers, even with fewer flights.
One key connection for frequent fliers is expected in coming months. In the second quarter, Southwest aims to allow frequent fliers to convert AirTran credits to Southwest points. It hasn't yet announced how that will work, however.
On Monday, Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed applauded Southwest's arrival at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Southwest, meanwhile, moved to up its profile in the community by announcing an online essay and video contest for $150,000 in grants for nonprofits in Georgia. More information is at southwest.com/luvgrants.
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