Alaska Airlines Officially Acquires Hawaiian Airlines for US$1.9 billion
Alaska Airlines has finalized its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. As part of the deal, Alaska has agreed to keep Hawaiian's key routes intact and implement consumer protections for the next six years. In August, the Justice Department decided not to block the merger between Alaska, the fifth-largest domestic airline in the US, and Hawaiian, the tenth-largest airline. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci stated that the acquisition will enhance competition, benefit consumers, and provide broader access to both networks, including Hawaiian's wide-body aircraft. Minicucci emphasized that deploying aircraft strategically across their combined network is part of their plan to deliver optimal results. The company expects to achieve operating-level synergies of at least $235 million by the third year. The Department of Transportation has confirmed that Alaska and Hawaiian have committed to safeguarding frequent flyer rewards, maintaining existing service on crucial routes, ensuring network access, and providing customers with continued access to services.

https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/alaska-airlines-resmi-akuisisi-hawaiian-airlines-senilai-us-19-miliar
 

India ready to keep buying cheap Russian oil
India's oil minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, has said that India is willing to continue buying oil from authorised Russian companies because of the low prices offered. This comes as Western sanctions against Russia have limited the prices it can charge for crude oil. Puri mentioned that if a supplier is not subject to sanctions, India will buy from the cheapest source. European countries and Japanese companies also buy oil from Russia, so India is not alone. As one of the world's biggest energy consumers, India imports 88% of its oil needs. Puri predicts an increase in energy consumption, particularly in the use of natural gas and renewable energy sources. As the world's third largest consumer and importer of oil, India aims to increase its annual refining capacity from 252 million tonnes, or 5.04 million barrels per day (bpd), to 300 million tonnes per annum (6 million bpd) and is even considering raising it to 400 or 450 million tonnes.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/india-siap-untuk-terus-beli-minyak-murah-rusia

Japan Exports Slow Sharply, Machinery Orders Shrink, Impact on Economic Recovery

Japan's export growth fell sharply in August, the first decline in three years, as shipments to the US contracted. In addition, machinery orders unexpectedly contracted in July, posing a challenge to Japan's struggling economy. This slowdown in exports is worrying as it undermines Japan's efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth, especially amid a potential slowdown in the US and a weakening Chinese economy, both important trading partners. Economists predict that Japan's exports will continue to suffer as global economic growth remains sluggish and growth in the US and China is expected to slow next year. In addition, the boost to exports from the weakening yen has faded as the Japanese currency strengthened in August. While total exports rose by 5.6% year-on-year in August, this was below market expectations of a 10% increase and down from July's 10.3% growth. In particular, exports to the US fell by 0.7%, the first monthly decline in almost three years, driven by a 14.2% slump in car sales.

https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/ekspor-jepang-melambat-tajam-pesanan-mesin-menyusut-berimbas-pada-pemulihan-ekonomi