Alaska Airlines (ALK) to acquire Hawaiian Holdings (HA)
Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK), and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Alaska Airlines will acquire Hawaiian Airlines for
As airlines rooted in the 49th and 50th
"This combination is an exciting next step in our collective journey to provide a better travel experience for our guests and expand options for
"Since 1929, Hawaiian Airlines has been an integral part of life in Hawai'i, and together with Alaska Airlines we will be able to deliver more for our guests, employees and the communities that we serve," said
Complementary Networks and Greater Choice for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines' Combined 54.7 million Annual Passengers
The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks is positioned to enhance competition and expand choice for consumers on the
- Preserving outstanding brands: The combined airline will maintain both industry-leading Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands while integrating into a single operating platform, enabling the remarkable service and hospitality of each to be enjoyed by passengers with continued excellence in operational reliability, trust and guest satisfaction for which both companies have been consistently recognized.
- An enhanced product offering for a wide range of consumers: The combination preserves and expands high-quality, best-in-class product offerings with price points to make air travel accessible to a wide range of consumers across a range of cabin classes, including greater choice between Alaska Airlines' high-value, low-fare options and Hawaiian Airlines' international and long-haul product on par with network carriers.
- Complementary networks expand travel options: Passengers traveling throughout the Continental
U.S. ,U.S. West Coast and across the Pacific will benefit from more choice and increased connectivity across both airlines' networks, with service to 138 destinations including non-stop service to 29 top international destinations in theAmericas ,Asia ,Australia and theSouth Pacific , and combined access to over 1,200 destinations through the oneworld Alliance. - Expanded service for Hawai'i: For Hawai'i residents, the combination will expand service and convenience by tripling the number of destinations throughout
North America that can be reached nonstop or one stop from the Islands, while maintaining robustNeighbor Island service and increasing air cargo capacity. - Strategic
Honolulu hub:Honolulu will become a key Alaska Airlines hub, enabling greater international connectivity forWest Coast travelers throughout theAsia-Pacific region with one-stop service through Hawai'i. - Increased loyalty program benefits: The transaction will connect Hawaiian Airlines' loyalty members with enhanced benefits through an industry-leading loyalty program for the combined airline, including the ability to earn and redeem miles on 29 global partners and receive elite benefits on the full complement of oneworld Alliance airlines, expanded global lounge access and benefits of the combined program's co-brand credit card.
Delivering Substantial Benefits for Employees and Communities in Hawai'i
As one of Hawai'i's largest employers, Hawaiian Airlines has a long legacy of commitment to its employees, who shaped the company over its 94-year history, and to local communities, culture, and the natural environment. As an integrated company, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will continue this stewardship and maintain a strong presence and investment in Hawai'i. The combined company will drive:
- Growth in union-represented jobs: Maintain and grow union-represented jobs in Hawai'i, including preserving pilot, flight attendant, and maintenance bases in
Honolulu and airport operations and cargo throughout the state. - Strong operational presence: Maintain a strong operations presence with local leadership and a regional headquarters in Hawai'i to support the combined airlines' network.
- Opportunities for employees: Provide more opportunities for career advancement, competitive pay and benefits, and geographic mobility for employees.
- Expansion of workforce development initiatives: Continue and expand access to workforce development initiatives, including Hawaiian Airlines' partnership with the Honolulu Community College Aeronautics Maintenance Technology Program and Alaska Airlines' Ascend Pilot Academy among others, to support future jobs and career opportunities in Hawai'i and beyond.
- Investment in local communities: Continue to invest in Hawai'i communities, combining and expanding the two airlines' commitments, and work with local communities and government to build a vibrant future for Hawai'i.
- Perpetuation of culture: Committed to promoting regenerative tourism in the Hawaiian Islands and investing in Hawaiian language and culture, continuing and building upon Hawaiian Airlines' existing programs.
Becoming an Even More Sustainable Combined Airline
Alaska Airlines is committed to building upon both Alaska Airlines' and Hawaiian Airlines' strong commitments to environmental stewardship, including Alaska Airlines' five-part path to net zero by 2040 and sustainability goals in areas of carbon emissions and fuel efficiency, waste, and healthy ecosystems. In 2022, Alaska Airlines made its largest Boeing fleet order in its 90-year history, focused on the Boeing 737-MAX aircraft, which are 25% more fuel-efficient on a seat-by-seat basis than the aircraft they replace, and continued to expand use of route optimization software to help dispatchers develop routes that save fuel, time, and emissions. Both airlines are actively working to advance the market for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in their respective geographies. These climate-focused efforts will continue, including continued investment in local sourcing.
Compelling Strategic and Financial Rationale, Generating Outsized Value Creation
The combination fits strategically with Alaska Airlines' sustained focus on expanding options for
- All-cash transaction of
$18.00 per share for a total equity value of$1.0 billion provides a compelling premium for Hawaiian Airlines shareholders. - Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
- Approximately
$235 million of expected run-rate synergies reflect a conservative estimate of the transaction's synergy potential; these exclude other identified upside opportunities that could be realized. - Expected to generate high single digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years (high-teens three+ years) post-close and mid-teens ROIC by year three, excluding integration costs, with returns above Alaska Airlines' cost of capital.
- No anticipated material impact on long-term balance sheet metrics, with return to target leverage levels expected within 24 months.
Conditions to Close
The transaction agreement has been approved by both boards. The acquisition is conditioned on required regulatory approvals, approval by Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders (which is expected to be sought in the first quarter of 2024), and other customary closing conditions. It is expected to close in 12-18 months. The combined organization will be based in
Advisors
BofA Securities and PJT Partners are serving as financial advisors and O'Melveny & Myers LLP is serving as legal advisor to Alaska Airlines. Barclays is serving as financial advisor and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation is serving as legal advisor to Hawaiian Airlines.
Microsite and Multimedia Assets
Additional information about the transaction is available at a new joint website at localcareglobalreach.com and investor materials can also be found at investor.alaskaair.com and news.alaskaair.com.
INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESS CONFERENCE
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines executives will discuss the transaction on a conference call. An investor presentation about the transaction will be referenced on the conference call and is being posted on the joint website referenced above.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will be joined by local leaders at a joint press conference in
