The merger of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines has just cleared a major hurdle

The merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines has moved one step closer to completion after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) allowed its review period to pass without taking action.

According to Alaska Airlines, the process for the planned merger can now move forward and must next be approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Reuters reported that the Department of Transportation said on Tuesday that it was reviewing the possible takeover.

“This is an important milestone in the process of joining our airlines,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “During the Department of Justice’s review, Alaska worked closely with the Hawaii Attorney General to reaffirm and expand our commitments to the future of Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaii consumers. This includes plans to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand and local jobs, and to continue to provide strong service between, to and from the islands.”

Alaska first announced its plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines late last year. The sale was valued at around $1.9 billion. Unlike other mergers, however, Alaska announced it would retain the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands and integrate both into a “single operating platform.”

Following the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision not to take action to block the merger, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the merger of the two airlines would create a “stronger company” and ultimately “provide more travel options for Hawaii residents and local businesses.”

“The merger will greatly increase the number of destinations across North America that Hawaiians can reach nonstop or with one stop from the islands… I appreciate that the Department of Justice has taken Hawaii’s unique needs into strong consideration when reviewing the proposed merger,” Green said in a statement. “I look forward to this merger process and the overwhelming benefits to consumers, workers and the community that will result.”

While that merger was approved, other proposed mergers have had less luck. Earlier this year, a federal judge blocked a proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, ruling that it was illegal because it violated antitrust laws. Weeks later, the two airlines officially abandoned their merger plans.

And last year, a U.S. court similarly ordered JetBlue and American Airlines to end their alliance. JetBlue ultimately decided not to appeal the decision.