DOT grants conditional approval for Alaska-Hawaiian airlines merger

Despite the merger, the carriers have decided to maintain each carrier’s brand as they operate under a single platform. (Credit: AFP)

The U.S. Transportation Department has cleared the $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines after the carriers agreed to certain conditions of the regulator such as preserve services on key Hawaiian routes and protect the value of their reward systems.

"... We have secured binding protections that maintain critical flight services for communities, ensure smaller airlines can access the Honolulu hub airport, lower costs for families and service members, and preserve the value of rewards miles against devaluation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.