Hawaiian / Alaska Merger Moves One Step Closer

With the US Department of Justice (USDOJ) clearing the merger between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, the next step is approval from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT). The USDOJ had until today to make any ruling against the merger during its review period, but since none was issued, the merger is now in the hands of the USDOT. No timetable was set by the USDOT as to when they will render a decision.

Six days ago, a US District Court judge dismissed a class-action consumer lawsuit meant to block the merger. Several consumers claimed that the merger would raise airfares of the routes both airlines serve.