The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted final approval for the $1.9 billion merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, marking the first major U.S. airline combination since 2016. The merger includes several conditions, such as preserving frequent flyer rewards, maintaining key routes, and ensuring protections for military families and service members. Joe Sprague, currently the regional president of Alaska Airlines, will lead Hawaiian Airlines as CEO during the transition period. The DOT's conditions also include competitive access at Honolulu airport and maintaining robust inter-island and mainland services. The merger is expected to close imminently, with both airlines operating under separate certificates until a single FAA operating certificate is issued, a process that could take up to 18 months.