Less than a day after getting federal approval, Alaska Airlines has already closed its $1.9 billion deal to buy Hawaiian Airlines.
Alaska made the merger a done-deal the same day the U.S. Department of Transportation allowed it to, and was ready to name the new top management team.
The merger passed review by the Justice Department Antitrust Division on Monday, and then on Tuesday, DOT notified the two carriers it has granted an exemption necessary to the deal. The exemption lets the carriers fulfill all their obligations regardless of which airlines is performing the service.
For example, it allows the new joint operation to execute international routes that currently fly under the imprimatur of Hawaiian Airlines. Resolution of this red tape issue allowed Alaska Air to execute its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings.
