Republic Airways

Mesa stockholders approved the combination in a vote last week.

Carrier says shareholder approval clears the way for a Nov. 25 closing.

The deal is expected to close later this week.

The two airlines expect the deal to close later this month.

Mesa Air Group, the parent company of Arizona-based Mesa Airlines, will soon ask its shareholders to vote on its planned merger with Republic Airways.

The unions representing pilots at Republic and Mesa have signed a “unity agreement” that will govern contract negotiations as the two carriers work to merge.

Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump’s choice to head the FAA, has retired as CEO of Republic Airways, the airline he has said led since 1999.

The Senate Commerce Committee held its hearing for Bedford on Wednesday, where he was pressed on whether legislators should raise the retirement age.

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration was previously investigated by the agency regarding his 2010 appearance on the CBS program “Undercover Boss.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating a near miss at LaGuardia Airport.