Merger milestone: American Airlines and US Airways finish combining cargo-handling operations

American Airlines and US Airways say they have finishes combining their cargo operations.

American Airlines Group Inc. said Monday that it was the first time that operating divisions at the two carriers have become fully combined.

The combined cargo unit will have annual revenue of more than $800 million.

The airlines merged last December and expect to get Federal Aviation Administration approval to combine passenger operations next year.

Shares of Fort Worth-based American Airlines rose $1.13, or 3.4 percent, to $34.51, as oil prices dipped and airline stocks extended their rally into a third day. The company's shares were up 32 percent this year at the beginning of the session.