Hawaiian Airlines to expand interisland cargo service

Hawaiian Airlines, which already holds about 90 percent of the interisland passenger market, is expanding its cargo presence in the islands.

The state’s largest carrier said Tuesday it plans to acquire three ATR 72 turboprop aircraft in an all-cargo configuration to expand its interisland shipping service. The new service will begin in the first half of 2016 and initially fly between Honolulu and Kahului, Lihue, Kona and Hilo. It will be part of the company’s ‘Ohana by Hawaiian division and operated by Idaho-based Empires Airlines, which currently runs the 48-passenger ATR 42 turboprop service that began in March 2014.