A DOT judge approved TWA’s purchase of Ozark.

John Vittoni, a Department of Transportation administrative law judge, recommended that the proposed merger of Trans World Airlines and Ozark be approved without conditions, rejecting Justice Department findings that the merger would harm competition. Vittoni conceded that the two airlines have a “very substantial” overlap of routes, especially in St. Louis, where the two control 76% of the gates. But he said it has not been shown that the merger would “substantially reduce competition in any relative market or to be contrary to the public interest.” Meanwhile, a federal judge ordered TWA to renew union dues collection from flight attendants, which has been suspended since a nine-week strike this past spring. TWA will appeal the ruling.