On Sunday, Alaska Airlines announced that it would buy its fellow fight purveyor Hawaiian Airlines for a total of $1.9 billion.
Ben Minicucci, the CEO of Alaska Airlines, spoke about the purchase during a news conference, noting that the merger would give customers in both states an expansion in domestic and international choices.
“This is a fantastic deal that brings two airlines that have amazing loyalties in our regions together,” Minicucci said.
The deal is projected to take at least nine months to be completed and will see both companies keep their brands. The decision was made by Minicucci and Hawaiian Airlines CEO and President Peter Ingram in order to preserve the legacy of both airlines and the communities they serve.
“In Alaska Airlines, we are joining an airline that has long served Hawai’i and has a complementary network and a shared culture of service,” Ingram said. “With the additional scale and resources that this transaction with Alaska Airlines brings, we will be able to accelerate investments in our guest experience and technology while maintaining the Hawaiian Airlines brand.”
Minicucci is expected to become the CEO of both airlines, as he called the move a pro-consumer, saying that it will allow for more domestic competition with other major airlines like Southwest, United, American, and Delta airlines.
“I am grateful to the more than 23,000 Alaska Airlines employees who are proud to have served Hawai’i for over 16 years, and we are fully committed to investing in the communities of Hawai’i and maintaining robust Neighbor Island service that Hawaiian Airlines travelers have come to expect,” Minicucci said. “We look forward to deepening this stewardship as our airlines come together, while providing unmatched value to customers, employees, communities and owners.”