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Alaska Air Group has confirmed plans to acquire Virgin America in a $4 billion deal.

The merger will create the fifth largest US airline.

The deal will enable Seattle-based Alaska to expand into lucrative hubs such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The two boards “unanimously approved” the deal, which will see Alaska acquire Virgin America for $57 a share.

However, Virgin founder Richard Branson said there was “sadly nothing [he] could do to stop” the deal.

It is the first US commercial airline merger since US Airways and American Airlines combined in 2013 to make the world’s largest carrier.

Virgin America, which accounts for about 1.5% of US domestic flight capacity, was listed on the US stock market in 2014 as an offshoot of London-based Virgin Group.Alaska Air to buy Virgin America

In a company blog, Richard Branson said: “I would be lying if I didn’t admit sadness that our wonderful airline is merging with another.

“Because I’m not American, the US Department of Transportation stipulated I take some of my shares in Virgin America as non-voting shares, reducing my influence over any takeover. So there was sadly nothing I could do to stop it.”

Richard Branson added that consolidation is a trend that “cannot be stopped”, with the four largest airlines now controlling more than 80% of the US market.

Alaska and its partner regional airlines, which in total account for about 5% of US domestic flight capacity, serve more than 100 cities in the US, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico.

If the deal gets approval from US government regulators and Virgin America shareholders, the companies expect to complete the transaction by January 1, 2017.

Brad Tilden, chairman and chief executive of Alaska Air Group, said: “With our expanded network and strong presence in California, we’ll offer customers more attractive flight options for non-stop travel.”

Virgin America shares surged 40% to $54.52 – just below the offer price – in early trading.

Alaska, which was reported to have beaten competition from rival airline Jet Blue for the company, fell 4.7% to $78.15.

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Virgin America airline shares surged more than 30% in the first day of trading on the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York.

Richard Branson owns nearly 25% of Virgin America, which is an offshoot of his London-based Virgin Group.

Virgin America started flying in 2007, and after several years of losing money, finally became profitable last year.

It reported profits of $10.2 million on revenue of $1.42 billion in 2013.

Virgin America sold 13.3 million shares that were initially priced at $23, raising about $307 million for the company.

The airline primarily operates long haul flights within the US, such as from New York to Los Angeles.

With a fleet of 53 planes within the US and Mexico, Virgin America is known for its flashy amenities, including mood lighting and wireless internet.

However, the airline offers fewer destinations than some of its competitors, and consequently carries only a fraction of the total passengers of rivals such as Southwest.

Overall, US airlines are flying high, as lower oil prices have recently led to an increase in profits.

The US recovery has also led consumers to purchase more airline tickets, keeping planes full.

One index of airline stocks hit a 13-year high recently, and analysts expect that upward flight path to continue.

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