HONOLULU –- Hawaiian Airlines today reported a systemwide 86.1 percent load factor for March, its best monthly average to date at filling seats in 2005 and an improvement of 2.6 percentage points versus March of last year.
According to monthly traffic statistics published by Aviation Daily, Hawaiian finished third nationally in load factor for March behind JetBlue (90.0 percent) and Spirit (86.5 percent). Completing the top five after Hawaiian were Northwest (84.6 percent) and United (83.1 percent). The industry average was 80.2 percent.
Air traffic nationwide was bolstered in March by the Easter holiday and spring break vacation for schools and colleges.
Hawaiian also improved its Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs) by 3.7 percent while the number of passengers carried and Available Seat Miles (ASMs) remained essentially flat for the month.
Through the First Quarter, Hawaiian's load factor averaged 85.0 percent, representing a year-over-year improvement of 2.8 percentage points and placing it second nationally among airlines behind JetBlue (85.8 percent). Following Hawaiian to round out the top five were Spirit (81.4 percent), Northwest (79.8 percent), and United (78.2 percent). The industry average was 74.8 percent.
In addition, Hawaiian increased both its RPMs by 6.3 percent and ASMs by 2.8 percent for First Quarter 2005 compared to the year prior.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's number one on-time carrier, is recognized as one of the best airlines in America. Readers of two prominent national travel magazines, Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, have both rated Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii in their most recent rankings, and the fifth best domestic airline overall.
Celebrating its 76th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaii's biggest and longest-serving airline, and the second largest provider of passenger air service between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands, as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA). Since the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee in May 2003, Hawaiian Holdings has had no responsibility for the management of Hawaiian Airlines and has had limited access to information concerning the airline. Additional information is available at www.HawaiianAir.com.