The partnership between Aloha Airlines and United Airlines will lead to substantial cost savings for the local carrier, according to details of the newly formalized agreement.

Aloha also said it has added United Chief Financial Officer Jake Brace to its nine-member board of directors.

"Our enhanced relationship with United allows Aloha to tap the marketing strength of one of the world's largest and best-known airlines," said Aloha Chief Executive Officer David Banmiller.

United announced on May 2 that it was acquiring a minority stake in Aloha and plans to broaden its long-standing marketing ties with the local carrier.

Further details of that deal were released yesterday by the two airlines, which announced that they signed an agreement formalizing the partnership.

Aloha and United said they are looking at sharing airport facilities on the Mainland and in Hawai'i and are integrating ground services that are performed by third-party vendors.

They also said they will look at ways to lower their fuel costs.

The two carriers didn't provide an estimate of the amount of savings generated by the deal.

The two airlines also did not say how large United's stake would be in Aloha but have said previously that the Chicago-based carrier's holdings in the state's No. 2 airline could grow.

Aloha and United have been marketing partners since 1993 under a code-share agreement that lets passengers earn and redeem frequent-flier miles on both airlines.

United, which has served the Hawai'i market since 1947, is the nation's second largest carrier with more than 3,600 flights per day. It also offers more service to the Islands than other carriers.

The deal is the latest involving Aloha since it emerged from bankruptcy in February 2006. As part of its reorganization plan, California billionaire Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Co. and former football star Willie Gault invested about $100 million in Aloha.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.