Hawaiian Airlines celebrated the graduation of 72 new flight attendants on Thursday, marking the third graduating class this year. This surge in new hires comes as the airline, now part of Alaska Airlines Group Inc., continues to integrate operations following the acquisition completed in September. The airline industry is experiencing a rebound in demand, and Hawaiian Airlines is actively scaling its workforce to meet increasing passenger numbers and expand its service offerings.
The Star Advertiser reports on this recent graduation, indicating the airline's focus on bolstering its customer service capabilities. The merger with Alaska Airlines presents opportunities for expanded routes and increased flight frequency. Hawaiian Airlines is looking into leveraging Alaska Airlines' network, which opens up over 100 additional destinations in North America for travelers from Hawaii, as Aloha State Daily notes.
The acquisition deal, valued at $1.9 billion, is designed to combine the strengths of both airlines. As highlighted by several Star Advertiser reports, the merger aims to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand while injecting new resources and infrastructure. This includes tripling the number of destinations accessible nonstop or with one stop from Hawaii. This will enable Hawaiian to compete more effectively in the broader market and enhances convenience for both residents and visitors. According to a report by Star Advertiser, both brands are intended to remain separate.
As Hawaiian integrates with Alaska, stakeholders will see some changes. The U.S. Department of Transportation has granted approval for the airlines to operate international routes under a single certificate, marking a crucial step, as discussed by Star Advertiser. Additionally, the newly established Hawai‘i Community Advisory Board (HICAB) aims to honor the significance of the Hawaiian Airlines brand while also reinforcing Alaska Airlines' expanded role in Hawaii, as mentioned by Star Advertiser. This represents a move towards ensuring the brand’s legacy continues.
