New Turboprop Service for Moloka`i, Lana`i

Hawaiian Airlines launches Ohana by Hawaiian this summer to service Molokai and Lanai, Courtesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Hawaiian Airlines will launch ‘Ohana by Hawaiian later this summer to service Moloka`i and Lana`i by turboprop aircraft.

“‘Ohana by Hawaiian will launch daily service to Moloka`i and Lana`i this summer using 48-seat ATR42 turboprop aircraft,” said Hadden Watt, the operation’s managing director for Hawaiian Airlines, in a written statement.

“The flights will be operated out of gates 49 and 50 at Honolulu International Airport by contractor Empire Airlines.”

Watt estimates the new service will create up to 100 new Hawai`i-based jobs in various areas of air transportation. “Empire will be recruiting pilots, flight attendants and mechanics. The new service will also need contracted ground-handling and customer service positions on Moloka`i and Lana`i,” Watt said.

Reservations and sales for the new operation will be handled by Hawaiian Airlines, allowing ‘Ohana by Hawaiian flights to integrate seamlessly into Hawaiian’s well-established route network.