Summary
- Hawaiian Airlines is open to being acquired by one other airline, but its most important focus is on an acquisition from Alaska Airlines.
- The merger between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines would bring a couple of three-times increase in destinations served from Hawaii, making it the carrier with probably the most destinations within the region.
- If the merger is approved, the Alaska Airlines Group’s fleet, which incorporates regional operator Horizon Air, will surpass 300 planes.
As reported by Beat of Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines is open to being acquired by one other airline. This was revealed in an SEC filing obtained by the media outlet.
Open to other offers, too
Just a few weeks ago, the world was stunned by the announcement of an acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines by Seattle-based Alaska Airlines. If approved, the acquisition can be value $1.9 billion and can see the 2 airlines proceed to operate under their respective brands and fleets. The regulatory process will take quite a while and will face opposition from the US Department of Justice, as is the case with the pending merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
In response to the recent SEC filing, Hawaiian is open to being acquired by one other airline, but its focus is on an acquisition from Alaska. Hawaiian was asked if it could be open to other offers and what it could do if Alaska backed out of the pending deal, and its response was,
“(We) may consider other unsolicited offers for Hawaiian Airlines with the most effective interest of our shareholders in mind. Nonetheless, we’re focused on the agreement we reached with Alaska Airlines, which we consider is the most effective path forward for our company.”
Hawaiian added that it believes its acquisition is different from other industry mergers and that combining complementary networks will bring more consumer advantages. Currently, the plan is to maintain individual brands across each airline, however it is unclear if personnel may also remain separate. The Association of Flight Attendants issued a press release shortly after the acquisition announcement, stating its first priority was determining if a merger would improve working conditions for crew members, which the airline promised.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy Flying
Mergers and acquisitions in the US have happened just a few times, forming the legacy carriers United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines, but not with out a fight from the federal government. Presently, it’s unclear what the federal government’s stance is on this merger. If blocked, the 2 airlines may have to barter with the federal government and relinquish specific routes and/or gates with a purpose to meet requirements.
A little bit of background
In response to a presentation to investors shortly after the acquisition was announced, only 3% of the airline’s networks overlap. The merger of the 2 will bring a couple of three-times increase in destinations served from Hawaii, way over some other carrier. The merger would also mean that Alaska Airlines would now not be a sole-Boeing operator of narrowbodies, as Hawaiian Airlines has Airbus A321s in its fleet. Moreover, widebodies can be integrated into the Alaska Airlines Group.
Today, Hawaiian Airlines operates several Airbus A330 widebodies and is about to receive its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in just a few weeks. The Dreamliner will make its revenue debut in April 2024. If approved, the acquisition would bring the Alaska Airlines Group fleet, which incorporates regional operator Horizon Air, to greater than 300 planes.
Evaluation: Winners and Losers From Alaska Airlines’ Acquisition Of Hawaiian Airlines
Which industry players are in a stronger position because of this of the merger?