Continental and UAL shareholders approve combo; deal expected to close by Oct. 1

Continental, UAL shareholders approve combo

Shareholders at Continental Airlines Inc. and UAL Corp. approve a deal to form the world’s biggest airline.

Continental officials announced preliminary results of voting during a shareholder meeting Friday in Houston. United shareholders approved it at a meeting near Chicago.

The votes clear the way for the $3 billion stock swap to close in about two weeks.

It likely will be some time before passengers notice much difference when they fly Continental or United. The combined airline will be called United and based in United’s hometown of Chicago, run by Continental’s CEO.

Associated Press Writers Juan A. Lozano in Houston and Don Babwin in Elk Grove Village, Ill., contributed to this report.