Hawai'i Tourism Authority Responds to Aloha Airline's Announced Closing

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sunday, March 30, 2008 (08-09)
Statement Regarding Aloha Airlines
Attributable to Rex Johnson, President, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
HTA Responds to Aloha Airlines Announcement
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) is saddened to learn that Aloha Airlines will shut down
its interisland and transpacific passenger operations after Monday, March 31, 2008. Aloha
Airlines and its generations of employees have had a long and noble history of serving Hawai‘i’s
residents and visitors, and its many contributions to our community will be missed. Our hearts
go out to the company’s employees and their family members who are affected by the closure.
According to Aloha’s announcement, on March 31, 2008, Aloha will operate its schedule with
the exception of flights from Hawai‘i to the West Coast and flights from Orange County to Reno
and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas. Aloha’s code-share partner United Airlines and
other airlines are prepared to assist and accommodate passengers who have been
inconvenienced. Aloha also announced that its air cargo and aviation services units will continue
to operate as usual while the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeks bids from potential buyers.
Given concerns over the potential of Aloha’s closing following its March 20 bankruptcy filing,
the State Legislature, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), Governor’s Tourism
Liaison, HTA and the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association (HHLA), have been coordinating
with airlines and hotels who have been hard at work on contingency plans to minimize the
impact of the shut down on visitors and residents.
Hawai’i’s primary interisland carriers have informed HTA that they are ready to increase their
capacity to compensate for the loss of seats resulting from Aloha’s closure. This will be
achieved by expanded daily schedules and the addition of aircraft. It is anticipated that
transpacific carriers serving Aloha’s regional markets on the U.S. mainland will be able to
absorb the void left by Aloha.
Aloha Airlines’ ticket holders with departures after March 31, can check HVCB’s Web site
www.gohawaii.com/alohaairlines for information on how to contact other airlines serving
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Aloha’s markets. It is recommended that passengers get in touch with these airlines to determine
seat availability and booking instructions before going to the airport. Aloha Airlines updates are
also linked to HTA’s Web site www.hawaiitourismauthority.org and all of HVCB’s island
chapters’ Web sites (O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, Maui Visitors Bureau, and
Big Island Visitors Bureau).
Various hotels statewide are offering special considerations to stranded passengers for extended
or emergency accommodations. Visitors should confirm with individual hotels what assistance
is available.
Over the next few days, there will no doubt be travel inconveniences caused by Aloha’s
departure. However, for the long term, we anticipate that there will be minimal disruption to
Hawai‘i’s interisland and transpacific air service. Hawai‘i residents and visitors should be able
to continue interisland and domestic travel with only minor adjustments to their plans.
This is a very difficult time for Aloha Airlines, its employees, and our state. HTA is committed
to working with all stakeholders and involved parties and to provide assistance, when possible,
as the situation continues to develop.
Neighbor Island Web Sites:
• Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau: www.kauaidiscovery.com
• Maui Visitors Bureau: www.visitmaui.com
• O‘ahu Visitors Bureau: www.visit-oahu.com
• Big Island Visitors Bureau: bigisland.org
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For more information, contact:
Sharon Freitas Darlene Morikawa
Director of Communications PR/Communications Manager
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau
(808) 973-2272 (808) 924-0259