Alaska-Hawaiian airline merger clears DOT review

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are moving forward with their planned merger, approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, with a focus on maintaining the value of their airline reward systems and key routes. The $1.9 billion merger agreement requires the airlines to ensure that miles earned in their loyalty programs will not expire and can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio, while also preserving essential air support for rural areas and maintaining service levels for routes between the Hawaiian islands. Hawaiian Airlines’ stock rose nearly 4% following the announcement, as they work towards combining into a more than 360-airplane fleet offering over 130 destinations under a single platform.

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