Hawaiian Airlines Plans 252 Nonunion Layoffs After Alaska Merger

Hawaiian Airlines is cutting 252 non-union, noncontract jobs as part of ongoing merger-related workforce reductions following its acquisition by Alaska Air Group. These layoffs, expected to begin around September 18, mark the third round of job cuts since the $1.9 billion acquisition, with affected employees receiving retention bonuses, severance packages, and job placement assistance. Despite the reductions in noncontract roles, unionized positions have grown from about 5,000 to more than 5,600, with plans to hire over 800 Hawaii-based employees this year, including pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics. The airline emphasized that while interim roles are ending, many nonunion employees have received long-term or extended positions within the combined company to support integration efforts. The workforce reductions are part of efforts to streamline operations and operate as a single carrier under Alaska Air Group, though Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines will maintain separate brand identities. The company encourages affected workers to apply for other open positions within both airlines.