The proposed $1.9bn merger of Alaska and Hawiian has moved closer to reality, following the Justice Department concluding that it had no anti-trust grounds to challenge the deal.
Announced in December last year, the deal will see both carriers retain their brands and points of difference, with the advantage for passenger that Hawaiian will join the Oneworld alliance.
Welcoming the deal, Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii said: “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”.
Airline mergers are not automatically given the go-ahead. JetBlue and Spirit abandoned plans for a tie-up earlier this year, following problems obtaining regulatory approval.