Alaska Air Group will open new routes from Seattle to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon in 2025 using Hawaiian Airlines' widebody fleet and upped its financial targets as it eyes greater synergies from the acquisition. Alaska states in a 10 December announcement that it has a vision of "seamlessly blending two route networks to optimize connections and deepen relevance for guests" following the 18 September close of its acquisition of Hawaiian. The carrier has started to take bookings on daily nonstop Seattle-Narita services that will start in May 2025, while the Incheon services will start in October. Diio schedules data shows that both routes will be operated by Airbus A330-200s. Hawaiian has 24 of that type in service plus two Boeing 787-9s, and has orders for seven more of the latter type, Fleets data shows. Alaska plans to expand its Seattle network to at least 12 international widebody destinations by 2030. The group says Alaska and Hawaiian now operate over 1,400 daily flights to over 140 cities and can take people to over 1,200 destinations worldwide with global partners and the Oneworld alliance. In 2025 it expects capacity to be up 2-3%. The company will invest in improving airport lobbies and lounges at its hub. Planned lounges in San Diego International and Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International airport will join the portfolio, followed by a new flagship international lounge in Seattle by 2027. Alaska also reiterated plans announced in July to increase its premium seat mix on its 737 fleet to 29%, with plans to expand premium cabins on the widebody fleet being developed. Cirium fleets data shows that Alaska has 79 737 Max jets in service and 154 passenger-configured 737NGs, plus seven more in storage. Alaska will also launch a new loyalty platform and a "premium credit card offering" that is projected to drive an incremental pre-tax profit of $40 million in two years' time. It has set 2027 financial targets of $1 billion in incremental profit, earnings per share (EPS) of at least $10, pre-tax profit margins of 11-13%, no margin dilution in the year following the merger, and has doubled "synergy estimates" to at least $500 million. For next year, Alaska expects to grow EPS by 30% to at least $5.75 and produce positive free cash flow while investing in the fleet, balance sheet and repurchasing around $250 million in shares.

South African Airways has disclosed that a pilots' strike, which began on 5 December, has been suspended. This resolution follows successful negotiations between SAA executive management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA). The carrier says it has offered an additional 1% salary increase, resulting in a total salary increase of 9.47% for SAA pilots. It adds that as part of the agreement that broke the deadlock in wage negotiations, talks on a continuous enterprise improvement programme will continue over the next eight weeks.

FlyModernArk has announced a strategic initiative to relaunch SA Express Airways, bringing together a consortium of aviation professionals, including former SA Express experts. The project aims to restore the airline as a key regional carrier in Southern Africa, FlyModernArk says. The revitalisation plan focuses on operational excellence, strategic partnerships, and economic impact, with the goal of recreating an airline that previously generated approximately R500 million ($28.1 million) in annual net profits. The consortium is currently in advanced discussions with regulatory authorities and partners, with specific launch details to be announced later. The effort emphasises rebuilding the airline's reputation as a reliable and efficient regional connector.