Alaska Air Group has named Alaska Airlines senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability Diana Birkett Rakow the new CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, effective Oct. 29, the company announced late Wednesday.
Birkett Rakow will succeed Joe Sprague, who plans to retire, according to the company. Sprague was Alaska Airlines’ regional president of Hawaii and the Pacific when he was named CEO of Hawaiian in September 2024, upon the completion of Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian.
Birkett Rakow, who will be based in Honolulu and report to Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci, has spent eight years at the company leading its sustainability and government affairs efforts. Her new role will “continue to include oversight of company-wide sustainability and venture investment strategies,” the company said in a statement.
Minicucci said in a statement that Birkett Rakow “has proven herself over an established career as a leader who builds strong teams, delivers results and cares deeply about people and culture.”
Alaska continues to integrate Hawaiian operations into its platforms, launching a combined loyalty offering last month and preparing to transition Hawaiian to Alaska’s Sabre-provided passenger services system next year. Next up is securing a single operating certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which Sprague in a statement said was “imminent,” making this “a natural transition point” for a leadership change.
Sprague “will remain engaged through the transition to ensure continuity and support for employees and guests” and will remain a member Hawaiian’s board of directors, according to the company.
Recent Comments