Alaska Airlines acquires Hawaiian Airlines. What it could mean for the Boise Airport
Alaska Airlines, the Boise Airport’s lead air carrier, wrapped up its planned purchase of Hawaiian Airlines on Wednesday, opening the door further to possible flights to Honolulu.
Alaska, based in Seattle, announced its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian in December. The U.S. Department of Transportation lent its approval this week, and the deal faced no challenges from federal regulators, The New York Times reported. The acquisition took about 10 months to complete.
“Together, this is a powerful combination that will unlock growth and benefits for everyone who depends on us,” Ben Minicucci, Alaska’s CEO and president, said in a video statement released Wednesday.
The Boise Airport offers nonstop flights to 28 different destinations. Alaska Airlines flies to 16 of those cities.
Alaska earlier this year announced the addition of two new Boise flights that it will operate during the winter months — to Bozeman, Montana, and Orlando, Florida, which will be the airport’s longest flight to the East Coast.
Starting in December, Treasure Valley air travelers can fly nonstop to Bozeman on a new route that will operate five times a week and run until at least March 2025.
Alaska will begin flying between Boise and Orlando, starting in January next year. The airline will offer the route three times per week until the end of March.
Orlando — the second East Coast route in and out of Boise — was a priority destination for the airport. Honolulu remains another, and the chances of securing the nonstop flight to Hawaii’s capital may have just gone up with the completion of Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
The airline had no new route details to share at this time, Alaska spokesperson Ray Lane told the Idaho Statesman on Wednesday by email. But the prospects are exciting to local airport officials.
Four airports in Hawaii are listed among the top-50 final destinations for Boise Airport passengers, according to airport data. They include Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue and Kona.
“We are pleased to hear about Alaska Airlines’ successful acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines,” Boise Airport Director Rebecca Hupp said in an email to the Statesman. “The Boise Airport is optimistic about the potential for new routes and services that this development may bring to our community.”
She acknowledged that it’s still early in the process of Boise’s potential for landing a nonstop flight to Hawaii through Alaska. Even with a renewed push, the decision on a new route is up to the airline, Hupp said.
As part of the acquisition, Hawaiian shareholders will receive $18 per share, up from a share price of about $5 when the deal was first announced, The Seattle Times reported.
“Alaska and Hawaiian share tremendous pride in connecting communities with award-winning service, and we look forward to inviting more guests on board to experience what makes both brands unique,” Minicucci said in a statement.
This story was originally published September 18, 2024 at 3:33 PM.
