Alaska promises Hawaiian a warm welcome as merger clears hurdle
22 / 08 / 2024
Photo: Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines has cleared a major hurdle after the Seattle-based carrier said on August 20 that the time period for the US Department of Justice to review the $1.9bn deal had expired, and no objections appeared to have been made.
A US judge had earlier this month dismissed a lawsuit filed in April by a consumer group attempting to block it on competition grounds.
Hawaiian Airlines’ shareholders approved the plan in February.
The two carriers announced the plan in December last year, under which Hawaiian would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. The latter pledged to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand, jobs and air services in the islands.
It also said that the merger would increase destinations served from Hawaii, the combined company aiming to expand the choice of passenger and cargo service options and access throughout the Pacific region, continental US and globally.
As far as cargo is concerned, Hawaiian would appear to be the senior partner, with up to 7% of revenue from the activity, while for Alaska Airlines, it is just 3%.
The airline plans to introduce the 10 aircraft over the course of the next 1.5 years.
Hawaiian Airlines started an A330-300P2F (passenger to freighter) contract business for Amazon in October 2023, having taken delivery of the first of ten converted freighters earmarked for the operation in July of that year. Hawaiian plans to introduce the 10 aircraft over the course of the next year.
Alaska Air Cargo currently operates three 737-700Fs and two 737-800BCF Boeing Converted Freighters.
