The airline’s chief executive, Ben Minicucci, said in an interview that closing its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines would allow it to expand, including on international routes.

Alaska Airlines said on Wednesday it had completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines after reaching an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Things are about to change for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines customers. On Wednesday, Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines in a historic merger. The acquisition is the largest merger between U.S.

The vast majority of non-union jobs – plus all of Hawaiian’s 6,000 union workers — will remain untouched by Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian, said Joe Sprague, a former longtime Alaska executive who succeeds Peter Ingram as Hawaiian’s interim chief executive.

The merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines is official, making it possible to share loyalty benefits between both carriers.

Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci noted recent improvements at Boeing after an incident involving a 737 MAX 9 jet. The airline has increased oversight of new planes, with staff auditing production at Boeing's factory.

Seattle-based Alaska Air Group Inc. has completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings Inc., closing a $1.9 billion deal announced last December that expands travelers' access to domestic and international destinations.

Alaska Airlines closed its $1 billion purchase of Hawaiian Airlines on Wednesday, a day after the federal government removed the last major regulatory obstacle to the deal. Alaska will also assume about $900 million in Hawaiian debt.

The US government’s move to secure consumer protections from Alaska Air Group Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. before blessing their merger marks a “new chapter” in how the US Transportation Department wields its powers,

Alaska Airlines announced on Wednesday that it has completed its $1.9 billion purchase of Hawaiian Airlines, giving it access to 29 international markets over 141 new destinations.