Fitch Affirms Alaska Air Group at ‘BBB-‘, Rating Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has removed Alaska Air Group’s (ALK) ratings from Rating Watch Negative and affirmed the ratings at ‘BBB-’. The Rating Outlook is Stable. The rating action follows the Department of Justice’s decision, announced on December 6, to allow ALK’s acquisition of Virgin America to proceed, and Alaska’s settlement of a separate civil lawsuit, which was the last significant remaining hurdle to the completion of the acquisition. Fitch expects the transaction will now close in the next week. Fitch placed ALK on Rating Watch Negative in April of 2016 after the acquisition was announced. The resolution of the ratings watch