Virgin America-Alaska Air merger set for completion
The much delayed takeover of Virgin America by Alaska Air could be completed within days.
Newly filed court documents by Virgin’s legal team say: "Alaska believes that Department of Justice review will likely be completed by the end of November."
The filing was a response to a lawsuit brought by a group of consumers and travel agents seeking to block the merger.
Seattle-based Alaska Air Group’s proposed $2.6 billion acquisition of Virgin America has been held up since the justice department raised concerns over anti-trust issues and extended its review period.
Bloomberg reports Alaska Air is close to reaching a settlement with anti-trust officials and looks likely to be completed by the end of the month.
This could mean it has agreed to offload one or more of its codeshare agreements with other carriers.
If and when the deal is approved Alaska Air will become the largest carrier on the US West Coast as well as boost its presence in the lucrative transcontinental market with slots at New York area airports and Washington DC.
The proposed merger will net Sir Richard Branson a £630 million windfall, according to the Sunday Times.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026