Lawsuit Against Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Merger Dismissed

Lawsuit Against Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Merger Dismissed

A U.S. judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by eight airline passengers from Hawaii, California and other states sought to block Alaska Airlines’ plan to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion. Plaintiffs said the merger be a bad deal for consumers as it would cut routes and raise prices.

Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Hawaii said in his decision today that the airline passengers who brought the case had not shown they have legal standing to sue over the merger.

The merger, announced last year, still faces U.S. regulatory review by the U.S. Justice Department. The two airlines have agreed with the agency to extend the review period through August 15, 2024, when a decision is expected.

The news was first reported by Reuters.