Alaska-Hawaiian merger DOJ review period expires, awaits DOT approval

The US Department of Justice's (DOJ) review period for Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines has ended. It follows three delays to the review period's conclusion. Alaska said on August 19, 2024, that the time period for the DOJ to ""complete its regulatory investigation"" of the merger had expired. ""This is a significant milestone in the process to join our airlines,"" said Alaska in a statement. ""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."" Hawaii governor Josh Green said: ""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."" The merger now awaits approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) of an interim exemption application. In July, the airlines submitted a joint application to the DOT requesting the ""de facto transfer of Hawaiian’s international route authorities"". The joint application requested an exemption to allow Hawaiian to “continue operations under its international authorities” following the acquisition. The filing added: “Following the transaction closing, Alaska and Hawaiian will be commonly owned and controlled, but will continue to operate separately until their operations can be merged under a single operating certificate. ""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,"" added Green. In an 8K filing, both airlines said they were ""working cooperatively"" with the DOT and will continue to do so. ""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,"" Alaska added.