Alaska Airlines announced that it has agreed to acquire certain assets of Hawaiian Vacations, Inc., an Anchorage, Alaska-based tour company.
Alaska Airlines Vacations also announced it now directly offers a full line of Alaska-Hawaii vacation packages in conjunction with its daily Anchorage-Honolulu service starting Dec. 9.
"Hawaiian Vacations has served Alaskan customers well for 25 years, and we're looking forward to continuing that tradition," said Bill MacKay, Alaska Airlines' senior vice president for the state of Alaska. "Our new Hawaii packages offer the flexibility of flying any day of the week and the opportunity to earn or redeem Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for flights."
John Hardwick, Hawaiian Vacations' founder and president, said Alaska's acquisition of its current bookings, brand and Web presence will enhance the Hawaii vacation possibilities for Alaskans. "We owe thanks or 'Mahalo' to our employees who have served our customers so well, and know Alaska Airlines Vacations will do an excellent job serving customers in the years ahead," he said.
Under the agreement, beginning Jan. 13, 2008, Hawaiian Vacations will no longer market Hawaii vacation packages or charter flights.
Customers with Hawaiian Vacations reservations for travel starting Jan. 13 will be contacted by Hawaiian Vacations to arrange a transition to Alaska Airlines flights, the groups noted. Customers with reservations through Jan. 12 will not experience itinerary changes.
The acquisition is expected to close later this month, while the transition of operations is expected to be completed in February 2008. Alaska Airlines will provide information about airline career opportunities to Hawaiian Vacations' 19 Anchorage-based employees.
In May Alaska Airlines announced daily service starting Dec. 9 between Anchorage and Honolulu. Flights will depart Anchorage at 3:20 p.m. Alaska time and arrive in Honolulu at 8:40 p.m. Hawaii time. Return flights will depart at 10:10 p.m. Hawaii time and arrive at 5:30 a.m. Alaska time. Alaska also will offer daily flights between Seattle and Honolulu beginning Oct. 12 and between Seattle and Lihue on the island of Kauai starting Oct. 28.
More information for Hawaiian Vacations customers is available at http://wwww.hawaiianvacations.com or by calling (907) 261-2700 from Anchorage or (800) 770-2700 toll free from other locations, the groups noted in a release.
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