Hawaiian Airlines Seeks Swift Approval for Japan Flights

Hawaiian Airlines. (PRNewsFoto/Hawaiian Airlines, Chad Slattery)

Hawaiian Airlines Inc. has asked US Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to immediately approve its application to provide split service between Honolulu, Kona and Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

The airline had filed an application with the US Department of Transportation in April, seeking authority to operate two nonstop routes between Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, and Hawai’i.

In a motion filed yesterday afternoon, Hawaiian Airlines pointed out that it was the only applicant for the single available night-time frequency to serve Haneda Airport that will be available to US airlines when a February 2016 agreement between the US government and Japan takes effect later this year.

The Honolulu/Kona service would be the second Haneda route operated by Hawai‘i’s flagship airline, joining the successful Honolulu-Haneda daily service Hawaiian inaugurated in November 2010.

The airline has also sought confirmation that it will continue to operate its existing service during the daytime hours under the latest agreement.

“It is long-standing DOT practice to grant an airline a route when no other airlines are competing for the same limited opportunity,” noted Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “When you couple the lack of other applicants with our demonstrated knowledge of the Japanese market, it is clear that granting Hawaiian the right to operate this lone night-time slot from Haneda to Kona and Honolulu is in the best interest of the United States and the traveling public.”

In its motion, Hawaiian pledged to initiate service to Honolulu four times a week on or about Oct. 30, 2016—the first day the amendment takes effect.

Service from Haneda to Kona three times a week would commence on or about Oct. 30, 2016, but at least 90 days following the DOT’s grant of the authority.

Gov. David Ige has been joined by the state’s congressional delegation and Hawai‘i Island Mayor Billy
Kenoi in supporting service between Tokyo and Kona.

Information on how to support Hawaiian’s application can be found at www.action.hawaiianair.com.

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Hawaiian Airlines Seeks to Expand Tokyo Service