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Surveillance aircraft to join IAF at Aero India-2017

Aero India

The indigenously equipped small surveillance plane, AEW&CS, will be inducted into the Air Force during the first day of Aero India-2017.

DRDO chairman and Defence R&D secretary S. Christopher said on Saturday that the aircraft, built on the platform of the Brazilian Embraer plane, has achieved the initial operational certification. The radar on it will be indigenously developed. Its pair, the second AEWC&S, will be similarly equipped and inducted around June, he said.

This plane would also fly and demonstrate its capability during the show.

The DRDO is also ready to inaugurate its Advanced Test Range at Challakere in Chitradurga as soon as either of the Defence Ministers can find the time, he said.

Preliminary work has begun in the fifth-generation stealth fighter, the twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or AMCA, at the ADA, Bengaluru. An LCA version with higher thrust is being developed.

The AEW&CS has been developed at a cost of ₹2,400 crore, which is still within international costs of development, Dr. Christopher said.

The Rustom-2 / ‘Tapas’ MALE (medium altitude long endurance) UAV will reach its full capability by the end of the year. A policy is being readied on UAV capabilities that must endure up to 2025, he said.

Airlines

Alaska Airlines Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Airlines' Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) jointly announced today the execution of a definitive agreement, signifying Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines at a cash price of $18.00 per share. The total transaction value stands at approximately $1.9 billion, encompassing Hawaiian Airlines’ net debt of $0.9 billion.

The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks

This strategic union is poised to open up an array of additional destinations, providing consumers with increased choices in crucial air service options across the Pacific region, Continental United States, and globally.

The transaction is anticipated to establish a robust platform for growth and competition in the U.S., offering enduring employment opportunities, ongoing community investments, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Key Points:

  1. Acquisition Overview:
    • Alaska Air Group to acquire Hawaiian Holdings for $18.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, totaling approximately $1.9 billion.
    • Combined company aims to maintain the strong, high-quality brands of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
  2. Fleet Expansion and Network Reach:
    • Creates the fifth-largest U.S. airline with a fleet of 365 narrow and wide-body airplanes.
    • Enables access to 138 destinations through combined networks and over 1,200 destinations via the oneworld Alliance.
  3. Hub Development and Connectivity:
    • Honolulu to become a key hub for the combined airline, offering expanded services to the Continental U.S., Asia, and the Pacific.
    • Tripling the number of destinations from Hawai‘i to North America, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service.
  4. Commitment to Hawai‘i:
    • Strong commitment to Hawai‘i, ensuring robust Neighbor Island air service.
    • Aiming for a more competitive platform supporting growth, job opportunities, community investment, and environmental stewardship.
  5. Employee and Union Commitment:
    • Commitment to maintaining and growing the union-represented workforce in Hawai‘i.
    • Immediate value creation with at least $235 million of expected run-rate synergies.
  6. Investor Call and Timeline:
    • Investor conference call scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. HT.
    • Anticipated closing of the transaction within 12-18 months.
  7. Strategic and Financial Rationale:
    • Complementary networks to enhance competition and provide greater choice for consumers.
    • Preservation of both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ brands on a single operating platform.
    • Expected to deliver high single-digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years.
  8. Community and Sustainability Commitment:
    • Focus on growth in union-represented jobs and strong operational presence in Hawai‘i.
    • Commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning with Alaska Airlines’ five-part path to net zero by 2040.
  9. Synergies and Accretion:
    • Expected run-rate synergies of at least $235 million.
    • Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
  10. Conditions to Close:
  • Approval by regulatory authorities and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders.
  • Expected to close in 12-18 months, with the combined organization based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.
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