JAL flights to Kona are ‘a step in the right direction’

Japan Airlines’ first of three planned charter flights to Kona International Airport arrived Tuesday from Nagoya carrying 234 passengers.

Japan-based corporate travel provider Kintetsu International chartered the sold-out flights, including one arriving Thursday from Narita and one March 27 from Nagoya, each also carrying 234 passengers.

The flights "help to open up Kona as a strategic second international port of entry, expanding our accessibility for other markets," Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said in a statement.

Despite efforts by officials from HTA and other government and tourism-related entities, JAL discontinued daily nonstop service to Kona at the end of October 2010 while continuing to serve other Hawaii routes.

The decision was made as part of the Japan-based airline’s government-backed bankruptcy restructuring.

"We have been working with other airline carriers in hopes of establishing direct international flights and these charter flights are a step in that direction," McCartney said. The charter flights "will also provide another connection point to other neighbor islands and distribute the benefits of tourism across the state."

McCartney expressed hope that the charter flights will "lead to a regularly scheduled flight from Japan to Kona."

Regular international flights "are important for economic growth for Hawaii island," added Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi.

HTA estimates the charter flights will add $1.02 million to the state’s economy.

The HTA forecasts a 9.9 percent increase in scheduled air seats from Japan in 2012, according to its recent Airline Seat Capacity Outlook Report, citing rising seat-counts from Osaka and Nagoya as well as recently inaugurated service between Fuku­oka and Hono­lulu.

In addition to Japan Airlines, other airlines with regularly scheduled flights to Hawaii include All Nippon Airways, China Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines.

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