Hawaiian Airlines Expands Inter-Island Fleet

Hawaiian Airlines has leased three additional Boeing 717-200 aircraft in response to increasing consumer demand.

With these aircraft joining the fleet, Hawaiian will be able to expand its inter-island service between Honolulu and Kahului, Lihue, Hilo, and Kona during peak travel periods, and further improve its operational reliability.

Along with acquiring the three additional aircraft, Hawaiian has purchased its existing fleet of 15 leased Boeing 717-200 aircraft in a refinancing transaction that reduces its fleet costs over the long term.

“With our increasing service to Hawaii from Asia, demand for our inter-island flights during peak hours of the day and during popular travel periods has never been higher. Adding these aircraft will give us the ability to serve more customers during these periods,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and chief executive officer. “At the same time, we are restructuring the ownership of our existing fleet to reduce our aircraft costs. With other costs rising quickly, this will help us keep fares affordable.”

Hawaiian expects to take delivery of the three additional aircraft in September, October and November.

Starting in October, Hawaiian will add approximately 20 flights per day between Honolulu and its other airports in Hawaii. The company expects to hire an additional 40-50 pilots, flight attendants and ground staff to support the increased flight operations.

Hawaiian has purchased the aircraft it previously operated under long term leases from Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC) with financing provided by BCC and entered into multi-year leases with BCC for the three additional 717s. Terms of the transactions were not released.

Hawaiian’s 717s seat up to 123 passengers, 8 in First Class and 115 in Coach.

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