High Stakes Merger for Low-cost Airlines

Northwestern's Aaron Gellman says Southwest's buyout of AirTran could spell trouble for Delta

September 27, 2010 | by Brendan Cosgrove

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Southwest Airlines has announced that it is acquiring low-cost competitor Air Tran Airways in a $1.4 billion deal the companies hope to complete next year. In this audio commentary, Aaron Gellman, professor of management and strategy at Northwestern University's Transportation Center, discusses the impact of the acquisiton on the airline industry and the flying public.