The two airlines' operating certificates were merged in September 2007.
New York issues an operating certificate to homes that meet its requirements, and may revoke a license for serious violations.
The flight was used to obtain the operating certificate for track tests.
The deal closed on May 2, 2011 and a single operating certificate for the combined carrier was achieved March 1, 2012.
As of the article's printing, the report noted that St. Basil had not even applied for an operating certificate.
On March 1, 2012, the company was issued a single operating certificate, technically becoming one airline.
Operations were not fully integrated until October 2008, when government approval was obtained to allow the airlines to operate under a single operating certificate.
In July 2008, the airline was forced to suspend operations after it lost its operating certificate.
Mesaba's operating certificate was surrendered on July 31, 2012.
On May 26, 2010 the operating certificate protecting the property from ever being used for waste disposal again.