David Banmiller, the former CEO of Aloha Airlines, stated that he felt vindicated that go! Airlines has announced that they will be closing their Hawaii operation. Banmiller commented, "I personally don't think they ever belonged in Hawaii. It was a decision that I never thought was in the best interest of their shareholders, and has now a few years later proven to be true. Unfortunately, their provocative and misguided entrance into the marketplace, as we predicted, led to the unfortunate demise of Aloha Airlines. Our pleas to both government officials and the media fell on deaf ears."
According to Banmiller, there were 8.5 million passengers taking interisland flights back in 2008 when Aloha Airlines was around. Now, there are 6.5 million passengers. Banmiller added, "Two million passengers disappeared because they couldn't afford the trip. Everything we predicted years ago has come to fruition. We said go! would ultimately leave, fares would dramatically increase and people wouldn't be able to afford to fly. And everybody we talked to just nodded and listened and unfortunately did nothing to assist us. Yes, I do feel vindicated, although it is of little comfort to all those terrific employees, many with Aloha for their entire adult life."
go! Airlines will cease their operations in Hawaii on April 1, 2014.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-19-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
