SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- Asiana Airlines Inc., the country's second-largest carrier, said Wednesday its shareholders have approved its merger with larger rival Korean Air Co., wrapping up nearly six years of the latter's acquisition process.

Asiana held an extraordinary shareholders' meeting to vote on the merger, with an overwhelming majority of shareholders voting in favor of the deal with the national flag carrier, a company spokesperson said.

In November 2020, Korean Air announced plans to acquire Asiana in a deal valued at 1.8 trillion won (US$1.6 billion), a move that would create the world's 10th-largest airline by fleet size.

"A mega-carrier to be created through the merger will be the first step toward writing a new history in South Korea's aviation industry," Asiana Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Song Bo-young told reporters on the sidelines of the shareholders' meeting.

Regarding the integration of the two airlines' mileage programs, Song said the company is making preparations and awaits a decision from the Fair Trade Commission.

The two airlines signed a merger agreement in May, and the merged entity, to be named Korean Air, is scheduled to launch on Dec. 17.

The Asiana Airlines name will no longer be used.

Also Wednesday, Korean Air plans to hold a board meeting to finalize the merger with Asiana.

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr

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