(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.