An Alaska Airlines executive is being parachuted in to take charge of airport and in-flight operations at Hawaiian Airlines as the two carriers move closer to securing a single operating license.
On Monday, Shelly Parker was named as the head of guest operations in Hawaii for both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Shelly will be responsible for the airport and in-flight passenger experience, as well as being on the Honolulu leadership team.
Parker has spent nearly her entire career working for Alaska Airlines and its regional subsidiary Horizon Air. During her 43 years at the airline, she has worked in a wide range of departments, including reservations, airports, maintenance and engineering, cargo, and in-flight.
Most recently, Parker oversaw more than 2,000 Horizon Air flight attendants and airport agents in her role leading in-flight and airport divisions for the regional carrier.
Hawaiian Airlines is now part of the Alaska Airlines Group, which was created last September when federal regulators gave the green light for a merger.
Alaska Airlines is very much the controlling partner in this relationship and, despite reassurances from chief executive Ben Minicucci, there are concerns that the unique identity of Hawaiian Airlines could be seriously eroded as the merger continues.
The combined airline group is in the process of creating two primary hubs. The first is in Alaska Airlines’ traditional home of Seattle-Tacoma, where new long-haul operations will commence with the help of ex-Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The second hub is located in Honolulu, focusing on long-haul flights to and from Hawaii, as well as intra-Hawaii flights. Hawaiian Airlines will operate Airbus A320 series aircraft and widebody A330s, while Alaska Airlines will expand its presence with Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Last month, Jim Landers, Hawaiian Airlines’ senior vice president of technical operations, was named the head of Hawai‘i operations once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines secure their single operating certificate – currently expected to complete this fall.
He will be joined by Alisa Onishi, another Hawaiian Airlines veteran, as the managing director of marketing for Hawaiʻi. Other key roles in the Hawaii leadership team will also be held by managers with significant experience at Hawaiian Airlines.
