Release #: HAL 24.01
February 16, 2024

Statement from the Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Council Following the Hawaiian Holdings Shareholder Vote

HONOLULU—Today, the shareholders of Hawaiian Holdings Inc. voted to approve the agreement and plan of merger negotiated with Alaska Air Group Inc. Hawaiian Airlines announced that the proposed Alaska merger deal was supported by a majority of shareholders. 

The stock purchase offer made by Alaska, which shareholders have now approved, acknowledges the tremendous brand value of Hawaiian Airlines. This brand value was both created and fostered by its employees, including the Hawaiian Airlines pilots who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA). 

“Regardless of the outcome of the proposed merger, Hawaiian’s pilots will remain focused on what we’ve done for 95 years: providing safe and reliable service for our passengers and cargo throughout the Hawaiian Islands and across the globe,” said Capt. Larry Payne, chair of the Hawaiian Master Executive Council (HAL MEC). 

If this merger is completed, the HAL MEC expects that both the Hawaiian and Alaska pilots’ contributions to building two strong, legacy brands will be recognized with a legacy pilot contract containing substantive improvements for both groups. The HAL MEC is adamant that any gains realized by this merger will be shared with the combined pilot group. 

The HAL MEC represents more than 1,100 Hawaiian Airlines pilots who fly more than 150 daily flights between six Hawaiian Islands and connect Hawaii to 15 U.S. gateway cities, American Samoa, Australia, the Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Tahiti. 

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 77,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org