Alaska Air, Virgin America received Justice Department request for more information

Alaska Air Group, which in early April announced a US$2.6b offer to acquire Virgin America, said it and its target have received a request for more information on the proposed transaction from the US Justice Department. The two carriers said the so-called “second request,” is a “standard part” of antitrust regulators’ review process and said they are cooperating fully with the Justice Department. The request for more information extends the period that the parties must wait to close the transaction, until 30 days after they have complied with the request or if the waiting period is otherwise terminated by the govt. Alaska Air Group and Virgin America said they are “confident” they will obtain regulatory approval to complete their transaction no later than Jan 1, 2017. <br/>