The airline’s chief executive, Ben Minicucci, said in an interview that closing its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines would allow it to expand, including on international routes.

Alaska Airlines said on Wednesday it had completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines after reaching an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci noted recent improvements at Boeing after an incident involving a 737 MAX 9 jet. The airline has increased oversight of new planes, with staff auditing production at Boeing's factory.

The two airlines have closed the $1.9bn deal but will remain operationally separate until final government approvals are attained.

The US government’s move to secure consumer protections from Alaska Air Group Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. before blessing their merger marks a “new chapter” in how the US Transportation Department wields its powers,

Alaska Airlines closed its $1 billion purchase of Hawaiian Airlines on Wednesday, a day after the federal government removed the last major regulatory obstacle to the deal.

The merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines is official, making it possible to share loyalty benefits between both carriers.

That's according to the company's new CEO, after the merger with Alaska air became official early Wednesday morning.

A few top Hawaiian Airlines executives are out of a job now that Alaska Airlines has acquired Hawaii’s largest air carrier, but they are being well compensated with “golden parachute” benefits totaling close to $25 million.

PBN met with Hawaiian Airlines' new CEO to discuss his first week on the job and what's on the horizon. After Peter Ingram stepped down as Hawaiian Airlines CEO and president, former Alaska Airlines’ regional president of Hawaii/Pacific Joe Sprague was appointed to CEO on Sept 18.