United Airlines is pausing pilot hiring in the spring due to aircraft delivery delays from Boeing.
20.02.2024 - 18:58 / travelpulse.com / Spirit Airlines / North America / U.S.Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines / Peter Ingram / Rich Thomaselli
One hurdle has been cleared in Hawaiian Airlines’ attempt to merge with Alaska Airlines.
And that is approval from its own stockholders.
The approval is just the first step for Hawaiian Airlines to be acquired by Alaska. The rest is up to the United States Department of Justice and other government regulatory agencies.
And we all saw what happened when JetBlue Airways tried to acquire Spirit Airlines.
A substantial majority of the holders of Hawaiian’s stock voted in favor of the merger, according to preliminary results from a special meeting. Hawaiian will file the final voting results, as tabulated by an independent inspector of elections, on a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Stockholder approval of our transaction with Alaska is an important milestone toward combining our airlines,” said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram. “Together, we will bring stronger competition to the U.S. airline industry, deliver more value to our guests and the communities that we serve, and provide greater job opportunities for our employees.”
There is still a way to go, however.
Hawaiian and Alaska expect to complete the transaction within 12 to 18 months of the announcement of the transaction, which occurred on December 3, 2023.
Still, this was an essential step, as one Hawaiian Airlines investor had filed a lawsuit to block the deal.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
United Airlines is pausing pilot hiring in the spring due to aircraft delivery delays from Boeing.
JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced the companies have agreed to terminate their July 2022 merger agreement.
Alaska Airlines announced a new partnership with Expedia designed to create a one-stop portal to book dream adventures, dubbed Alaska Vacations.
Choice Hotels International is asking Wyndham Hotels & Resorts stockholders to tender their shares into the exchange offer before its expiration on March 8.
Airlines are trialling new techniques to shave minutes off turnaround procedures as a way to cut costs.
Checking in a bag is becoming an increasingly expensive endeavor.
Breeze Airways is adding a new city — and state — to its growing route map. The Salt Lake City-based low-cost carrier unveiled plans Tuesday to launch service from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire, and with a handful of new routes.
Just in case this comes off as harsh, let me preface this by saying that I love children. I have two boys of my own, and I’m having a hard time letting them be adults as they turn 24 and 20.
Southwest Airlines and Omni Hotels & Resorts are teaming up to offer a special "Solarbration" sweepstakes ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.The sweepstakes—which can be entered now through March 11—will reward two lucky winners with a prize package that includes air travel on a flight predicted to be in the direct path of the eclipse.The flight options include Southwest Flight 1252, which departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:40 p.m. CT for Pittsburgh, and Southwest Flight 1721, which departs Austin at 12:55 p.m. CT for Indianapolis.Omni will do its part by putting the winners up in custom-designed guest rooms inspired by the celestial event. The special accommodations will be located at Omni Hotels in the departure cities of Dallas and Austin and the arrival cities of Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.In addition to roundtrip flights and accommodations for two nights, winners will receive exclusive solar eclipse viewing glasses and fun inflight experiences aboard their eclipse flights.
Milkshake Tourism is about to become a reality as Zaxby’s milkshakes return exclusively to Macon, Georgia, prompting the destination to launch its own shake-inspired tourism campaign.
Spirit Airlines has announced plans to suspend operations at New Hampshire's Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) on May 8, according to Boston.com.The budget carrier said the decision is due to "ongoing operational constraints related to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine availability and seasonal demand for our MHT flights.""This decision reflects our continuing efforts to make necessary strategic shifts to enable Spirit to compete effectively in the current environment," Spirit added. "We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience, and those with reservations for May 8 or later will be offered a refund. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is a great partner, and we look forward to returning with seasonal service next winter."Spirit operates nonstop flights to Orlando and seasonal service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from MHT. According to Reuters, the airline is the largest domestic operator of GTF-powered (geared turbofan) NEO aircraft and has been battling engine issues since last summer."MHT is grateful to Spirit Airlines for their service to the Manchester community for the last few years," the airport said in a statement. "We understand that difficult decisions have to be made in light of the Pratt and Whitney engine issue. It is important to note that this is a pause in service, not a withdrawal in service. MHT stands ready to warmly welcome Spirit back to the Manchester market when the time is right for them."
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is calling on travel agencies and advisors to contact their respective members of Congress to make their case as to why they shouldn't be on the hook for issuing airline refunds to clients."For the first time since 2018, Congress is reevaluating federal aviation policy through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization process. This is our opportunity to influence sound policy that recognizes the value of the travel advisor in the greater travel industry," the organization states. "Travel agencies sell 40 percent of all air tickets, and travel agencies are considered ticket agents under both federal statute and government regulations."ASTA points out that the House version of the FAA Reauthorization bill contains clear language that travel agencies are not responsible for providing airline refunds if they are no longer in possession of the client’s funds. However, the provision was left out of the bill passed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation earlier this month.ASTA is hoping to change that and is encouraging advisors to email their members of Congress—one House Representative and two Senators—through its grassroots portal.