Green confident in Hawaii-Alaska airlines merger

by Kim Jarrett, The Center Square, Aug 20, 2024

(The Center Square) - Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said he is confident the merger of Hawaiian Airlines with Alaska Airlines will give Hawaii residents more travel options and enhance competition in the airline industry.

Alaska Airlines said Monday that the deadline for a regulatory review by the Department of Justice has passed.

"During the DOJ’s review, Alaska worked closely with the Hawaii Attorney General to reinforce and expand upon our commitments for the future of Hawaiian Airlines and to Hawaii consumers," the airline said in a statement posted on its website. "These include plans to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand and local jobs and continue providing strong service between, to, and from the Islands."

Green said his administration met with Alaska Airlines over the past several months.

“Alaska has reinforced commitments to our state and will maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand, preserve and grow union jobs in our Hawai‘i, as well as continue to provide crucial passenger and air cargo service to, from, and within the islands," Green said. “The merger will vastly expand the number of destinations throughout North America for Hawaii residents that can be reached nonstop or one-stop from the islands, and HawaiianMiles members will retain the value of their miles while gaining access to more destinations around the world.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation must approve the merger.

Alaska Airlines announced the purchase of Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion in December. The deal includes about $900 million of Hawaiian Airlines debt, the companies said at the time. Hawaiian Airlines would retain its brand name. 

Green said after the merger announcement that he would be watching it closely.

  *   *   *   *   *

DOJ review period under HSR Act expires; Alaska Airlines awaiting next steps with DOT

The time period for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to complete its regulatory investigation of the proposed combination of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines under the HSR Act has expired. This is a significant milestone in the process to join our airlines.

News Release from Alaska Airlines, August 19, 2024

The time period for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to complete its regulatory investigation has expired.

The proposed combination remains subject to other conditions including approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) of an interim exemption application.

The time period for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to complete its regulatory investigation of the proposed combination of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines under the HSR Act has expired. This is a significant milestone in the process to join our airlines. During the DOJ’s review, Alaska worked closely with the Hawai‘i Attorney General to reinforce and expand upon our commitments for the future of Hawaiian Airlines and to Hawai‘i consumers. These include plans to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand and local jobs and continue providing strong service between, to, and from the Islands.

The proposed combination remains subject to other customary closing conditions, including approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) of an interim exemption application. Following that step, we will complete work to close the transaction, and proceed with integrating the two companies, welcoming Hawaiian Airlines guests and employees into Alaska Air Group, and expanding benefits and choice for consumers throughout Hawai‘i, the Asia-Pacific region, continental United States and globally.

  *   *   *   *   *

GOVERNOR GREEN STATEMENT ON HAWAIIAN-ALASKA AIRLINE MERGER

News release from Office of the Governor, August 19, 2024

HONOLULU — Today, the proposed merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines cleared an important milestone. The regulatory review period for the U.S. Department of Justice has ended. The proposed merger remains subject to the receipt of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s approval of an interim exemption application.

“Over the past several months, my administration and I have worked with the leadership of Alaska Airlines to carefully review the potential impacts of a consolidation and we insisted that any changes expand travel options for our residents and preserve union jobs,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D.

“Alaska has reinforced commitments to our state and will maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand, preserve and grow union jobs in our Hawai‘i, as well as continue to provide crucial passenger and air cargo service to, from, and within the islands.”

“The merger will vastly expand the number of destinations throughout North America for Hawai‘i residents that can be reached nonstop or one-stop from the islands, and HawaiianMiles members will retain the value of their miles while gaining access to more destinations around the world.”

“I am confident that by the joining of these two airlines, a stronger company will emerge and offer more travel options for Hawai‘i residents and local  businesses — and will enhance competition across the U.S. airline industry,” Governor Green said.

“I appreciate the DOJ’s strong consideration of Hawai‘i’s unique needs during its review of the proposed merger. I look forward to this merger proceeding and the overwhelming consumer, employee and community benefits that will result from it.”

  *   *   *   *   *

COVERAGE:

WSJ: Alaska Air, Hawaiian Airlines Clear Key Antitrust Hurdle - WSJ

HNN: Hawaiian-Alaska merger decision moves to the U.S. Department of Transportation

SA: Hawaiian-Alaska airlines proposed merger clears main regulatory hurdle 

SA: Airlines’ merger clears major hurdle

VW: No Strings Attached: DOJ Greenlights Alaska Airlines Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines – What This Means for You

HNN: 'Not objecting is a huge deal': Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger moves forward as key deadline passes (hawaiinewsnow.com)  

LD: DOJ allows Alaska Air-Hawaiian merger deal to proceed | Legal Dive