NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee's top five airports will continue to be served by a merged US Airways and American Airlines for the next five years under an agreement with the state.

The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday announced it reached an agreement to allow the two entities to become the world's largest airline after agreeing to scale back its presence at Reagan National Airport in Washington and in other big cities.

Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced that a settlement of the state's challenge to the merger means the company agreed to continue to fly to Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities for five years.

Cooper said the company's giving up of slots at major airports could lead to more low-cost carriers flying to Tennessee.