US Airways Group Inc. shareholders approved the carrier's plan to merge with AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, clearing another hurdle in the deal that would create the world's largest carrier, Reuters reported on Friday. Of nearly 132.8 million shares voted, 132.3 million were in favor of the merger, the company announced on Friday after its annual meeting in New York. US Airways said 257,757 shares were cast against the merger, and 256,523 abstained. The $11 billion merger deal was announced in February and the companies expect to complete it by the end of September. The new American Airlines will be based in Dallas-Fort Worth. The merger must still be approved by antitrust regulators. The U.S. Justice Department, along with attorneys general from 19 states, is considering whether the merger would harm competition. Some states involved in the probe worry that they could lose an airline hub because of the transaction. Others are concerned about potential curbs to service in smaller cities.
