Alaska Air Group, Inc. today announced it has completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. and revealed the interim Honolulu leadership team that will guide Hawaiian Airlines operations from transaction close through a full combination of operations under a single operating certificate with two brands – Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Now that final clearance has been received from regulators, Alaska Airlines can close the transaction and shift focus to obtaining a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Until that time, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will operate as one organization with two separate airline operations, under two individual operating certificates. The interim Honolulu leadership team will lead the Hawaiian Airlines operation during this time.
Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group said: “This is a historic day for Alaska Airlines as we officially join with Hawaiian Airlines.
“Alaska and Hawaiian share tremendous pride in connecting communities with award-winning service, and we look forward to inviting more guests on board to experience what makes both brands unique.
“Among Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon Air, we have more than 230 years of history flying guests and serving communities.
“I know we will build on that legacy and become stronger together – providing the excellent operation guests have come to expect, expanding options to seamlessly travel nearly anywhere in the world, and securing the financial stability and value that inspires investment.”
When the combination was announced, it was shared that Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram would step down from his role following the transaction close. Current Alaska Airlines regional president of Hawai’i/Pacific, Joe Sprague, will be named chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines.
In this role, Sprague will be responsible for leading all aspects of Hawaiian Airlines’ operations until the FAA grants Alaska a single operating certificate.
In addition to Sprague, several senior executives from Hawaiian Airlines will comprise the interim Honolulu leadership team.
These leaders, who collectively have nearly 65 years of experience with Hawaiian Airlines, include:
EVP, Administration – Shannon Okinaka
SVP, Human Resources – Robin Kobayashi
SVP, Tech Ops (Maintenance & Engineering, Flight Ops and System Operations Control Centre) – Jim Landers
VP, Airport Operations and In-Flight – Lokesh Amaranayaka
Managing Director, Safety – Terry Hill
Director, Brand and Culture – Alisa Onishi
Additionally, the current regional VP of Hawai’i for Alaska Airlines, Daniel Chun, will serve on the Honolulu leadership team, overseeing community and cultural relations, government affairs and Hawai’i sales.
Current Hawaiian operations leaders Bob Johnson (VP, Flight Operations), Beau Tatsumura (VP, Maintenance & Engineering) and Tom Zheng (VP, Technical Operations Business Planning & Services) will continue to report to Jim Landers during this period. Justin Doane, VP, Labour & People Relations, will continue to support Hawaiian labour relations.
Sprague said: “We have a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to combine two incredible companies with aligned values and 90+ year legacies of serving and connecting local communities.
“I am deeply honoured to work alongside these strong leaders from Hawaiian Airlines to lead the airline’s people, operations, and brand through this transition while sustaining our commitments to safety and service”.
