The US Department of Transportation has approved an application for an interim exemption jointly submitted by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, putting their proposed merger within reach, the two US carriers say. "Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining conditions to closing, Alaska and Hawaiian expect to consummate the merger on or about September 18, 2024," Alaska says in a 17 September US Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Hawaiian's own SEC filing on the same day says virtually the same thing, with the exception being the reversal of the order of the two carriers' names. In December 2023, Hawaiian parent Hawaiian Holdings and Alaska parent Alaska Air Group agreed to combine under a $1.9 billion deal. Under terms of the deal, Alaska would acquire Hawaiian while retaining the latter carrier's brand. In August 2024, the US Department of Justice's antitrust division completed its review of the proposed acquisition of Hawaiian by Alaska without issuing an objection. Alaska said at the time that this marked "a significant milestone" in the merger's progress, which remained subject to Department of Transportation approval of an interim exemption application.
"Following that step, we will complete work to close the transaction, and proceed with integrating the two companies," Alaska said on 20 August. That step is now behind Alaska and Hawaiian.

Falko has completed the delivery of four Embraer 175 aircraft on lease to South African carrier Airlink. The lessor says the aircraft were delivered on behalf of its managed fund, Falko Regional Aircraft Opportunities Fund II. It adds that the first two deliveries concluded in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the final two deliveries in August and September this year. Airlink now operates E170, E175 and E190 aircraft from Falko's managed portfolio, it notes.

Air Canada has agreed to a tentative four-year agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), narrowly averting a potential strike before a deadline of 15 September. The carrier had said that if an agreement was not reached with the association representing more than 5,200 pilots at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, either party may issue a three-day strike or lockout notice. "The new agreement recognises the contributions and professionalism of Air Canada's pilot group, while providing a framework for the future growth of the airline," states the carrier in a 15 September statement. Air Canada did not disclose the terms of the new agreement pending a ratification vote by ALPA members, which is “expected to be completed over the next month”. Meanwhile, ALPA states: "If ratified, the [tentative agreement] will generate an approximate additional C$1.9 billion ($1.4 billion) of value for Air Canada pilots over the course of the agreement." "After several consecutive weeks of intense round-the-clock negotiations, progress was made on several key issues including compensation, retirement, and work rules," says Air Canada ALPA master executive council chair, Charlene Hudy. "This agreement, if ratified by the pilot group, would officially put an end to our outdated and stale decade-old, ten-year framework."