Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines extend review period of deal amid antitrust scrutiny

Hawaiian Holdings

30/07/2024 11:54

July 30 (Reuters) - Alaska Air Group  ALK.N  has agreed
to extend the review period for the proposed $1.9 billion
acquisition of rival Hawaiian Airlines  HA.O  amid antitrust
scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice, the carrier said
in a filing on Tuesday. 
    "Our airlines have mutually agreed with the DOJ on a brief
extension of the formal review period until August 15,"  Alaska
Air Group said. 
    The deal, announced last year, has been under antitrust
review and both carriers said in March they "have been working
cooperatively with the DOJ and expect to continue to do so".
    Shortages of new planes, jet engines and pilots have spurred
U.S. airlines to pursue growth through acquisitions, putting
them in the crosshairs of anti-trust regulators who have
generally been wary of mergers between smaller airlines. 
    The takeover would give Alaska Air control of more than 50%
of the market for flights to Hawaii, one of the world's top
holiday designations. 
    The airlines, in March, entered a timing agreement with the
DOJ, under which the carriers agreed not to consummate the deal
within 90 days after submitting antitrust-related information. 

 (Reporting by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna
Chandra Eluri)
 ((Kannaki.Deka@thomsonreuters.com;))