Alaska Airlines is buying Hawaiian Airlines. Will the Biden administration let the merger fly?
Associated PressAnother proposed airline buyout is renewing debate over whether there has been too much consolidation in the industry — and whether consumers are paying the price. The Biden administration has taken a tough stance against mergers, and it is certain to take a close look at Alaska Air Group’s proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines for $1 billion in cash. Alaska Airlines parent Alaska Air Group announced Sunday that it will pay $18 per share for Hawaiian — a huge premium over Hawaiian’s closing stock price on Friday. SIZE OF THE DEAL Alaska Air Group, based in Seattle, valued the deal at $1.9 billion, which includes the assumption of Hawaiian’s $900 million in net debt. Hawaiian Airlines — only a quarter the size of Alaska Air by revenue — operates flights throughout the island chain and to the U.S. mainland and also relies heavily on traffic between Asia and Hawaii.