Hawaiian 767s Going “Green” With New Winglet Technology

HONOLULU – Nov. 04, 2009 - Hawaiian Airlines has completed its first installation of Blended Winglets on its Boeing 767-300 jets, the company’s newest and biggest “green” initiative that will significantly reduce fuel usage and carbon dioxide emissions of its aircraft.

Hawaiian is one of the first airlines in the world to install winglet technology on B767 aircraft after recent certification of the modification by the FAA. The company expects to have winglets installed on eight of its 767s by summer 2010.

“Installing winglets on these aircraft makes them among the most efficient, environmentally friendly aircraft in the world fleet,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO. “Being a leader in winglet technology for 767 aircraft means we’ll be among the greenest operators of this aircraft, and the first to benefit with lower fuel expense and greater payload.”

Standing 11-feet tall and extending upward from the end of each wing, the winglets improve the efficiency of the 767’s wings by smoothing out airflow across the upper wing near the tip. One result is reduced aerodynamic drag, which means less thrust is needed to fly the same speed. This translates into lower fuel use, with savings of between 700 and 800 gallons of fuel for every round trip between the West Coast and Hawaii, or an estimated 2 million gallons of fuel per year.

In addition to the long-term fuel savings, a key benefit of the new technology is its immediate effect on Hawaiian’s carbon footprint. Use of the winglets will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,250 tons per aircraft per year, or an estimated 18,000 tons annually once all eight aircraft are fitted.

Wings fitted with winglets also produce more aerodynamic lift, which will allow Hawaiian’s 767s to carry 10,000 to 15,000 additional pounds in payload on certain weight-restricted flights, which translates into greater cargo-carrying capacity.

Other benefits of the winglets include increasing the operating range of each aircraft, reducing engine maintenance costs, and improving take-off capabilities.

Hawaiian’s new fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft, which begin arriving in April 2010, will be fitted with winglets as factory-installed equipment.


About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian is the nation’s highest-ranked carrier for service quality and performance in 2008 in the 19th annual Airline Quality Rating study. Hawaiian has also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past five years (2004-2008) and has been an industry leader in fewest misplaced bags during that same period (#1 from 2005-2007, #2 in 2008) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii.

Hawaiian will mark 80 years of continuous service for Hawaii on November 11, 2009. Hawaiian is the state’s biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the largest provider of passenger air service to Hawaii from the state’s primary visitor markets on the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities (10) than any other airline, as well as service to the Philippines, Australia, American Samoa, and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides more than 160 daily jet flights within the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com.