Alaska Air Group announced on Wednesday, Diana Birkett Rakow will become the first female CEO of Hawaiian Airlines effective Oct. 29.
Birkett Rakow succeeds Joe Sprague, who will retire after a distinguished career in aviation.
Sprague was named CEO to guide Hawaiian Airlines through the process of obtaining a single operating certificate (SOC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with Alaska Airlines, and with that milestone on track to be completed next month, Birkett Rakow will take the helm.
Birkett Rakow will be based in Honolulu, the company’s second largest hub after Seattle, and will be responsible for the long-term performance and advancement of the Hawaiian Airlines brand and Alaska Air Group’s business in Hawai‘i, supporting the company’s guests and over 6,600 employees across the islands.
She will continue to report to Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group, and remain on the company’s Executive Committee.
Birkett Rakow’s role will also continue to include oversight of company-wide sustainability and venture investment strategies.
