Quantcast

DOT considers conditions on Alaska-Hawaiian merger amid intensified lobbying

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
DOT considers conditions on Alaska-Hawaiian merger amid intensified lobbying
Research
Webp uefmsw7k0lt5f20uxuve40u9xjr0
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The Department of Justice has allowed the period to lapse for objecting and filing suit against Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. This indicates a deferral to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval, which is considering conditions it may impose on Alaska.

Deferring to DOT is standard in airline mergers. However, since the Trump administration's approval of the American Airlines and JetBlue partnership, which the Biden DOJ later sought to unwind, there have been complexities in such processes. A decision on that case’s appeal remains pending.

United Airlines has raised complaints with DOT regarding the merger. While United likely cannot stop the deal, it appears to be requesting that Alaska maintain existing partnerships with mainland-based airlines.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

United can operate flights between Hawaiian islands or partner with Southwest Airlines if desired. Despite sufficient competition and low fares on inter-island routes, United prefers overwater flights to Hawaii and selling connecting tickets between islands via Hawaiian at negotiated rates. They seek federal intervention to ensure this continues under Alaska's ownership.

In compliance with disclosure requirements for conversations about pending matters, Hawaii's Attorney General reported discussions with Mohsin Syed, Chief of Staff for DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Brian Stansbury, Deputy General Counsel for DOT. The State of Hawaii and its Governor have publicly supported the merger.

Alaska Airlines has reassured stakeholders about its plans for Hawaiian Airlines. However, Hawaii’s Attorney General seeks binding commitments from Alaska regarding these assurances.

Under the Airline Deregulation Act, state-level commitments are non-binding unless tied to explicit agreements like air service contracts. Nonetheless, DOT could mandate such commitments as a condition for merger approval.

Attorney General Lopez discussed with DOT officials the future commitments made by Alaska Airlines concerning Hawaiian Airlines and their enforceability. Lopez emphasized protecting Hawai'i residents' interests in this merger.

Hawaii's concerns include maintaining affordable inter-island travel and preserving flight frequencies when retiring Boeing 717s. They aim to avoid reduced flights or smaller planes that could increase fares. Additionally, there is concern over repurposing Hawaiian’s Airbus jets for non-Hawaiian routes by Alaska.

While discussions about aircraft types might seem trivial, they reflect deeper issues about ensuring current fleet operations remain focused on Hawaiian routes rather than being redirected elsewhere by Alaska post-merger.

With DOT yet to approve the deal, stakeholders are voicing their demands now. Support from Hawaii’s politicians has facilitated progress so far. It is anticipated that some promises made by Alaska will become binding commitments enforced by federal authorities.

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Etihad Airways has announced its support for DigiYatra, an Indian government platform that facilitates contactless travel through facial recognition technology.

Apr 21, 2025

EVA Air has announced on the social media platform X that it is promoting spring travel to Japan during the peak cherry blossom season, a major attraction for international tourists.

Apr 21, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines announced on X that it has suspended flights to Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu until May 6 due to runway rehabilitation work.

Apr 21, 2025

Emirates has announced a new donation matching initiative intended to boost support for its Emirates Airline Foundation.

Apr 21, 2025

Skywards Everyday has partnered with EmCan, a loyalty program by Emarat, to introduce a new two-way points conversion system for UAE customers.

Apr 21, 2025

The Daher TBM series, a staple of general aviation since 1988, has seen over 1,000 units produced across various models, with the TBM 960 as the latest iteration.

Apr 21, 2025