USAir and Piedmont sought a speedy merger OK.

Spokesmen for the two air carriers said the request was made to the Transportation Department after the Justice Department said it would not oppose the merger on competitive grounds and after agreements were reached on minimum service levels in New York and Massachusetts. A Transportation Department administrative law judge has been preparing for the hearings, which are scheduled to get under way next month. A decision by Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Hanford Dole is expected in September.