Makani Kai Air to offer Kahului-Kona flights

Makani Kai Air will begin flying between Kahului and Kailua-Kona on Aug. 1.

The airline said Monday it will offer four daily round trips at a $49 introductory airfare each way on the 45-minute route using its nine-passenger Cessna Grand Caravans.

Reservations must be made online at www.MakaniKaiAir.com by Aug. 31, and travel must be completed by Sept. 30.

“The people of Molokai and Maui are the reason that we’re growing,” said Richard Schuman, owner of Makani Kai Air. “Many of our customers have asked us to open up a Kahului-Kona route, and we believe that the move makes sense.”

Once the introductory promotion is finished, the regular airfare will be set at $75 for every seat on every flight every day.

“Our fixed-fare strategy is winning converts,” Schuman said. “People appreciate the fact that they can plan ahead knowing the airfare won’t change. It will remain the same on weekends, holidays or any other time.”

Makani Kai Air began serving Princeville on Kauai with direct flights from Honolulu on May 1.

The parent company also operates Magnum Helicopters, often featured in the CBS shows “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii Five-0.”

The aviation company now operates seven Cessna Grand Caravan turbine aircraft, two Piper Chieftain twin-engine airplanes, a Eurocopter AS-350 A-Star and three MD-500 helicopters.