What will merger mean for GR airport?

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - What would a merger between Southwest Airlines and AirTran mean for West Michigan?

24 Hour News 8 was told it will be at least one year until Southwest starts making any decisions, such as if the airline will pick up where AirTran left off and continue to fly out of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Since AirTran announced the merger, the airline will keep its eye on the skies in West Michigan, said Dick DeVos, the chair of the Regional Air Alliance of West Michigan -- which helped bring discount airline AirTran to Grand Rapids.

Details of the merger all depend on how much money Southwest stands to gain.

"Southwest's commitment has been that they're going to honor all of the AirTran markets, and so we're very encouraged by that," DeVos said. "It's going to give us a chance to tell our story."

When asked if Southwest will definitely stay in Grand Rapids, AirTran CEO Bob Fornaro couldn't reveal too many details.

"Well, Southwest has said they plan on staying in all areas," he told 24 Hour News 8. "Our deal is not approved and we're not allowed to talk about marketing until the deal closes."

Fornaro expects the deal to be approved by March, and to finalize in a little less than two years.

Flights on the airline exceeded his expectations this year, he said, so he believes Southwest stands to profit if the company remains in West Michigan.

Ultimately, that decision is up to Southwest, so there are no definite answers available yet.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this developing story.