Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are a step closer to finalizing their proposed merger after the airlines clear a regulatory review period with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In an update dated August 19, 2024, Alaska Airlines announced that the time period during which the parties were prohibited from closing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act has expired.
Under the HSR Act, companies are required to file pre-merger notifications with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Antitrust Division of the DOJ for certain acquisitions.
According to Alaska Airlines, clearing the HSR deadline is a “significant milestone” in the merger process.
During the HSR time period, Alaska said it worked closely with the Hawaii Attorney General to reinforce and expand its commitments for the future of Hawaiian Airlines and to consumers of the state of Hawaii. These include plans to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand and local jobs, as well as continuing strong service between, to, and from the Islands.
“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,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green said in a statement.
“I am confident that by the joining of these two airlines, a stronger company will emerge and offer more travel options for Hawaii residents and local businesses — and will enhance competition across the US airline industry,” Green added.
The Alaska-Hawaiian merger remains subject to other customary closing conditions, including approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) of an interim exemption application.
After this step, Alaska Airlines said it 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.