'Ohana by Hawaiian is scheduled to make their debut service from Honolulu International Airport to the islands Molokai and Lanai. President and Chief Executive Officer for Hawaiian, Mark Dunkerley, stated, "Frankly, we are in a situation where we believe that the existing operators don't deliver an adequate level of service. This is going to be a very small operation but nonetheless one which we think, allows us to fill a puka in our network." Currently Hawaiian Airlines takes controls 85 percent of the inter island market, and this new service to the smaller airports will only help secure its dominant position. 'Ohana will fly 48 seat ATR 42 aircraft which utilize twin-engine turboprops. They will offer three daily flights to Molokai and two flights per day to Lanai.
Island Air announced last month that they will no longer be offering service to the island of Molokai. CEO for Island Air, Paul Casey, stated, "The increased competition did not play a role in the decision. Based on Ohana's seat capacity to Molokai, we feel that the island will have adequate air service to meet its needs."
Peter Forman, an aviation historian, commented, "If 'Ohana by Hawaiian follows Hawaiian Airlines' tradition of reliability and on-time service, it will raise the bar for competitors in these less populated markets. What I foresee is a significant improvement at Island Air in coming years, so overall the level of service by both carriers will benefit the people of the neighbor islands."
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-9-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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