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A federal judge in Oregon and a Washington state court judge both issued rulings Tuesday temporarily blocking the proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, halting fears of numerous Alaska store closures.

In Alaska, Kroger owns 11 Fred Meyer stores, while Albertsons owns 24 Carrs or Safeway stores as well as the Crow Creek Mercantile in Girdwood. As part of the merger, the companies were prepared to sell off 18 of the state’s grocery stores. 

Bridget Shaughnessy Smith is a spokeswoman for the Alaska Public Interest Research Group, a nonprofit that has lobbied against what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. She called the judges’ decisions a big win for the state. 

“The grocery store competition we have is crucial to keeping prices fair, preserving consumer choice and supporting the community wellbeing,” she said. “This decision is a win for all Alaskans who rely on accessible and affordable food options, and we hope that it will effectively put an end to this monopoly threat.”  

Alaska’s congressional delegation as well as a couple dozen state lawmakers also opposed the merger. 

Officials with Albertsons and Kroger argued that the merger was necessary for the businesses to compete with major retailers that also sell food like Wal-Mart, Costco and Amazon.

Shaughnessy Smith said she hopes the wide opposition to the merger will discourage the grocery chains from appealing the courts’ decisions. 

“We’re hoping that with the large amount of bipartisan opposition from all levels of government, as well as this decision from a federal court, that the companies will not pursue further legal action,” she said.

Congresswoman Mary Peltola applauded the judges’ decision in a statement Tuesday. 

“A blocked merger means protecting produce on our shelves, good-paying jobs in our communities, and preservation of our way of life,” she wrote.

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Alaska Airlines (ALK+11.71%) is launching a handful of new nonstop flights to Asia as it sets an ambitious incremental profit goal a few months after it merged with Hawaiian Airlines.

The Seattle-based airline plans to grow its profit by $1 billion through 2027, leaning on its $1.9 billion merger with Hawaiian to widen its access to routes across the Pacific Ocean and wide-body jets. Alaska expects to see commercial operations deliver an additional $800 million in revenue, largely as a result of new enhanced offerings.

Alaska said it would begin offering new nonstop daily flights between the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, beginning in May 2025, and flights to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport as early as next October. By 2030, it plans to serve at least 12 nonstop global destinations with long-haul widebody aircraft from Seattle.

“From our global gateway in Seattle, we can conveniently connect travelers from across our network as they head to Asia and beyond,” said Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci in a statement. “Hawaiian’s spacious widebody aircraft, along with its excellent onboard service and amenities, will make for a terrific trip from one side of the Pacific Rim to the other.”

Alaska forecasts pretax profit margins of between 11% and 13% for 2027, earnings per share of at least $10, and no margin dilution over the year following the merger closing.

It also raised its fourth-quarter guidance for adjusted earnings per share to between 40 and 50 cents, up from prior guidance of between 20 and 40 cents, according to a regulatory filing. Alaska cited strong close-in bookings for October and November and strong holiday demand, which is boosting December revenue. The company will present at its annual conference for investors on Tuesday afternoon.

Besides the new flights, Alaska is employing a host of new measures to try and enhance the consumer experience and generate revenue. Last month, the airline began testing out an artificial intelligence-powered schedule optimization tool to help it schedule its planes.

Alaska is also launching a “premium” credit card with Bank of America (BAC-0.63%) as part of its plans to boost its mileage plan, increasing its premium seat mix on its Boeing (BA+2.23%) narrowbody fleet, and expanding its Loung program. Planned lounges at airports in San Diego, Honolulu, and Seattle will join Alaska’s portfolio by 2027.

Despite Alaska and Hawaiian operating separately, Alaska Air Group is working on combining the carrier’s loyalty programs. For now, miles can be transferred between Alaska and Hawaiian accounts for free. A separate loyalty program for Hawaii’s residents, “Huaka‘i by Hawaiian,” has also been launched.

“We’re focused on strengthening the commercial levers that drive the greatest guest satisfaction, and ultimately preference,” Alaska Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison said in a statement. “Our guests will benefit from more premium seats, an enhanced loyalty program with even more ways to earn and redeem miles, and new global destinations to the places they most want to go.”