The US Justice department has given the all-clear for the Alaska Airlines-Hawaiian airline merger.
The $1.9 billion deal cements Alaska’s place as the fifth largest US airline.
The Biden administration found no significant competition barriers to block the deal although it comes with some conditions.
The airlines must continue operating the same frequency of flights on routes with little outside competition and continue subsidized flights to remote communities in Alaska and Hawaii.
The airlines must also maintain the value of frequent-flyer rewards when the two loyalty programs are integrated.
Alaska Airlines says it expects to close the airline merger ‘in the coming days.’
The Transportation Department has to now formally approve the airline merger.
Alaska Air is the dominant partner in the deal but said it plans to preserve the Hawaiian Airlines name.
