HONOLULU, March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hawaiian Airlines is moving
rapidly to help ensure the continuation of interisland air transportation
between Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii's Big Island at service levels equal to
what currently exists.
In response to Aloha ceasing flight operations, Hawaiian has taken
immediate steps to add more than 6,000 seats to its daily interisland
schedule; substantially increase its customer service staffing at airports
statewide; and establish a dedicated website page and toll-free phone number
providing updated information for displaced Aloha ticket holders.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO, reassured travelers the
airline would work around-the-clock to accommodate ticket holders displaced by
Aloha's closure. "We are maximizing our aircraft and resources to keep
interisland travel and cargo moving. Hawaiian can accommodate all of Aloha's
traffic. As Hawaii's flagship carrier, we recognize our special responsibility
to serve the people of these islands."
Dunkerley noted that Hawaiian is filling any empty seats on its regularly
scheduled service with Aloha ticket holders, while adding emergency flights
that will run earlier in the morning and later in the evening until the
backlog of stranded travelers is resolved.
"We will provide more than enough daily seat capacity to fill the void
left by Aloha's departure and satisfy the demands of interisland travel,"
Dunkerley said.
Exclusively for Aloha ticket holders, Hawaiian has created a special link
on its website, HawaiianAirlines.com, providing information about travel
aboard Hawaiian. Aloha ticket holders can also call 1-877-892-8896 to hear
recorded information.
For Aloha ticket holders needing to stay on schedule with their travel
itinerary, especially during the first few days, Hawaiian advises them to
purchase a reserved booking.
Aloha customers can purchase a reserved booking with Hawaiian online at
HawaiianAirlines.com, or by calling the reservations department at
1-800-367-5320.
Hawaiian is accepting Aloha tickets free of charge for Coach Class seating
on a first-come, first-served stand-by basis. On Monday, March 31, Aloha
ticket holders for only Hawaii to U.S. Mainland travel can standby for flights
on Hawaiian.
From Tuesday, April 1 through Thursday, April 3, Aloha ticket holders for
all interisland and transpacific travel can standby for flights on Hawaiian
for the ticketed day of departure only. Due to the expected high demand for
seats, stand-by travelers are not assured of receiving a confirmed boarding
that meets their desired travel schedule.
To qualify for standby travel, Aloha ticket holders must provide paper or
electronic ticket confirmation, provide a credit card receipt or proof of
transaction and be present at the airport ticket counter on the date of travel
shown on their ticket.
Hawaiian is also approaching the State's Airports Division to use Aloha's
ticket counters and boarding gates at Honolulu International Airport, as well
as selected boarding gates at airports in Kahului, Maui; Lihue, Kauai; and
Hilo and Kona on Hawaii's Big Island.
Dunkerley encouraged travelers to utilize Hawaiian's website at
HawaiianAirlines.com for the latest updates in travel information and flight
details.
Interisland travelers are also encouraged to take advantage of Hawaiian's
Web Check-In, airport kiosks, remote hotel check-in kiosks at the Ohana East,
Outrigger Main, Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Ala Moana Hotel, and
drive-thru check-in at Honolulu International Airport.
"As always, our goal is to get customers to their destinations on time, at
the best value, and accompanied by our industry-leading brand of service,"
said Dunkerley.
About Hawaiian Airlines
The nation's top-ranked airline for service in the 2007 Airline Quality
Ratings, Hawaiian has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of
the past four straight years (2004-2007) and in fewest misplaced bags for the
past three years (2005-2007) as reported by the U.S. Department of
Transportation. Consumer surveys by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and
Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii.
Now in its 79th year of continuous service in Hawaii, Hawaiian is the
state's biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the second largest
provider of passenger air service between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii.
Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than
any other airline (nine), as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and
Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the
Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
(Amex: HA). Additional information is available at
http://www.HawaiianAirlines.com.
SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines
CONTACT: Al Hoffman, +1-808-265-1776, hoffcomm@hawaii.rr.com, or Patrick
Dugan, +1-808-741-2712, Patrick.Dugan@MWC-Anthology.com, both for Hawaiian
Airlines