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Hawaiian Airlines said it hopes to begin its interisland turboprop operation later this quarter, following nearly a year’s delay.
The state’s largest carrier welcomed the arrival at Honolulu Airport Monday afternoon of its first ATR-42 that will be used for daily nonstop flights from Honolulu to Molokai and Lanai. The aircraft has 48 passenger seats.
The aircraft livery was designed by Hilo artist Sig Zane and his son Kuha‘o and was flown in from Oregon on Monday after being painted in Idaho at Leading Edge Aviation.
Hawaiian spokeswoman Alison Croyle said Monday the company "is aiming for the first quarter" to launch the service.
‘Ohana by Hawaiian flights, which will be operated by Idaho-based Empire Airlines, initially were expected to begin last summer but were held up because the airline was not given clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration. Hawaiian said it will begin test runs this weekend so that crews can complete their training and demonstrate to the FAA that the airline is prepared to begin its operation.
Hawaiian said that once the process is complete, a schedule will be announced and ticket sales will begin. The airline said it will use three ATR-42s, with the second aircraft scheduled to arrive next week. That aircraft already has been painted, with the same design, and is in Idaho. The third aircraft is in Idaho as well but has not yet been painted.
In October, Hawaiian President and CEO Mark Dunkerley said it was "deplorable" that the FAA had delayed necessary certification for the turboprop operation because of what he was told was lack of resources.
‘Ohana will compete with Island Air and Mokulele Airlines, which both operate flights from Honolulu to Molokai and Lanai.
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COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES