WASHINGTON- Alaska Airlines (AS) has posted a job opening for its first International Development Director, signaling the carrier’s intent to expand globally.
This move aligns with Alaska’s pending acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines (HA), set to finalize soon.
Alaska Airlines International Fleet
The new position, based at Alaska’s Washington headquarters, will spearhead the airline’s international growth strategy. Edward Russell, a prominent American transportation journalist, brought attention to this development through a social media post.
According to the job description, the International Development Director will serve as the primary expert in driving Alaska Air Group’s (AAG) global expansion.
The role focuses on delivering successful commercial outcomes and leading an international task force comprising key stakeholders.
This strategic hire indicates Alaska Airlines’ commitment to leveraging its impending merger with Hawaiian Airlines to broaden its international presence. The creation of this position suggests that Alaska is preparing for significant changes in its route network and market strategy.
The International Development Director will likely play a crucial role in integrating Hawaiian Airlines’ existing international routes and identifying new growth opportunities. This expansion could potentially include new destinations in the Pacific, Asia, and beyond, Simple Flying reported.
First International Development Director
Alaska Airlines seeks its first International Development Director, offering a salary range of $168,000-$260,700 annually, with potential total compensation reaching $319,854 including bonuses and equity.
The position requires 10 years of business strategy experience and willingness to travel globally up to 50% of the time.
The job posting, open until October 9th, 19:00 Pacific Time, indicates Alaska’s intent to expand its international presence following the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition. This move could leverage Hawaiian’s widebody fleet to create a long-haul network.
Currently, Alaska operates 23 international routes, with the longest being Los Angeles (LAX) to San José, Costa Rica at 2,731 miles. Eight of these routes exceed 2,000 miles. In contrast, Hawaiian Airlines serves routes over 5,000 miles, including Honolulu to Boston (5,095 miles) and Honolulu to Sydney (5,066 miles).
Hawaiian’s international network spans Australia, Japan, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and South Korea. The airline’s Boeing 787 fleet acquisition suggests potential for further expansion.
The merger with Hawaiian Airlines could significantly extend Alaska’s reach beyond its current network limitations. Alaska’s longest domestic route, Anchorage to Chicago (2,846 miles), falls short of Hawaiian’s international capabilities.
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