United Airlines is voicing strong concerns over the impending merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, citing potential negative impacts on its own partnerships with Hawaiian. In a recent letter sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), United warns that the $1.9 billion merger could jeopardize its strategic relationship with Hawaiian Airlines, potentially disrupting services and network collaboration.
The merger, which the U.S. Department of Justice approved last month, is set to create a significant shift in the airline industry, especially for travelers in the Pacific region. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, both known for their routes across the Pacific Ocean and their strong presence in the Hawaiian Islands, aim to enhance their collective market reach, combining resources and expanding services.
However, United Airlines argues that the merger could reduce competition and harm its existing code-sharing and interlining agreements with Hawaiian, particularly on trans-Pacific flights. These partnerships allow United passengers to access a broader network of destinations via Hawaiian Airlines, including key routes between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, as well as international destinations.
United’s letter expresses apprehension over the possibility of losing these vital connections, which could lead to decreased service options for customers, higher prices, and less competition on key routes. The airline is urging the DOT to scrutinize the merger carefully and consider how it could reshape the competitive landscape, not only between the merging airlines but also with others that rely on cooperative agreements.
Despite these concerns, the merger has been largely praised by industry analysts, who see it as a way for Alaska and Hawaiian to strengthen their market positions and offer more robust competition against the industry’s larger players, including United, Delta, and American Airlines.
Both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines argue that the merger will benefit consumers by providing expanded routes, enhanced customer experiences, and more efficient operations. They have dismissed United’s concerns as self-serving, emphasizing that their focus is on improving air travel options for customers in the Pacific and beyond.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has yet to respond publicly to United’s concerns, but the final regulatory hurdles for the merger are still under review. If approved, the merger could be completed by the end of the year, reshaping the competitive dynamics of air travel in the Pacific.
