Continental Airlines has won regulatory approval for its switch between rival airline groups SkyTeam and the Star Alliance as it moves towards a closer tie-up with United Airlines.
The US Department of Transportation gave the country’s fifth largest carrier the go ahead to move this autumn from the SkyTeam alliance of Air France-KLM and Delta to the Star Alliance of United Airlines and Lufthansa.
The move will allow Continental to integrate extensive parts of its operation with United without falling foul of anti-cartel laws.
The approval marks the latest stage in consolidation of the world’s major long-haul carriers into three groups – with British Airways in danger of being left behind.
BA’s transatlantic alliance with American Airlines continues to await regulatory approval after twice being rebuffed. BA’s proposed merger with Iberia has also stalled, although a change at the head of the Spanish carrier last week was expected to get things moving.