by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Wed July 30, 2025
Alaska Air Group released information on the new leadership team that will oversee the combined operations of both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines in Hawai¡¯i following their merger.
The news comes after the FAA granted the two airlines permission to obtain a single operating certificate.?
The new appointments will be headquartered in Honolulu, the company¡¯s second-largest hub, where 6,500 people are employed. They¡¯ll be in charge of operations, but they will also support the airlines¡¯ integration, including the rollout of a brand-new combined loyalty program this fall and a single passenger service system, to debut in the spring. Planned changes are all part of the group's $1 billion merger and growth plan.
¡°Hawai?i will always be Hawaiian Airlines¡¯ home, and I¡¯m so proud to serve alongside our Honolulu leadership team and our 6,500-plus team members in the islands to build on Hawaiian¡¯s 95-year legacy of providing safe, reliable and enjoyable service to our communities,¡± said Joe Sprague, Hawaiian Airlines CEO.?
¡°We all look forward to continuing to deliver greater value to our kama¡®¨¡ina and visitors through our expanding, joint network with Alaska Airlines, a new combined loyalty program arriving in October, and much more in the months and years ahead.¡±
Jim Landers, Hawaiian Airlines¡¯ senior vice president of technical operations, will become head of Hawai¡¯i operations for Alaska Air Group, supporting the operations team for all Hawai¡¯i travel. The U.S. Navy veteran has worked for Hawaiian Airlines since 2013.?
Additionally, Alisha Onishi will become the managing director of marketing for Hawai¡¯i. Onishi, who joined Hawaiian Airlines in 2011, will lead its multi-brand marketing strategy and work to unify the airlines and improve guest experience.?
Daniel Chun, who has worked for Alaska Airlines in Hawai¡¯i for 14 years, will lead Alaska Air Group¡¯s combined community and cultural relations, government affairs and sales team in Hawai¡¯i as managing director of Hawai¡¯i public affairs and sales.?
Jonathan Goo, safety director, will use his 20 years of service to Hawaiian Airlines to provide important safety and oversight for operations within Hawai¡¯i.?
Lastly, Melodi Pieper, who has 26 years of experience working with Hawaiian Airlines, will lead the regional human resources team as the director.?
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