HAWAIIAN Airlines is considering one-stop flights from Australia to the US East Coast and says it could further expand its operations as it moves to build its fleet.
The airline announced last week that it would acquire up to 24 new long-range widebody Airbus planes to replace its current fleet of 18 aircraft. It signed memoranda of understanding with Airbus and Rolls Royce to acquire six A330-200s and six A350XWBs with purchase rights on an additional six of each plane.
The agreement also paves the way for the airline, one of three US carriers servicing Australia, to lease A330s from 2009. Hawaiian chief executive Mark Dunkerley told The Australian that the fact both aircraft were bigger and had greater range than the airline’s existing Boeing 767s would open up a range of new markets.
He said this could include other ports in Australia. He said the airline was “extremely pleased” with the response to its three weekly services between Sydney and Honolulu.
“It was a big investment for us, starting Australia as our new international destination going on three years ago,” he said.
“Since then we’ve been very pleased about how we’ve seen the business build there.
“And with new aircraft arriving with greater capability, it gives us the prospect of being able to expand in the Australian market, which I hope we’ll be able to do.”
Mr Dunkerley said the airline was also looking at increasing frequency to Sydney, but for now there were issues with aircraft availability.
“One of the great things about this order is it gives us the prospect of actually increasing our fleet count as well as the capability of each individual aircraft,” he said. “And that maywell encourage us to build our services in Australia.”
Hawaiian currently links Australia to nine US gateway cities on the West Coast and also provides services to American Samoa, Pago Pago and Tahiti as well as within the Hawaiian islands.
The airline’s focus on the region was underscored by the recent appointment of Gary McKoy to the newly created position of senior manager, Pacific region.
It has made no secret of its desire to start non-stop services to the US East Coast and to expand into Asia, recently announcing it would start services to The Philippines from March.
Mr Dunkerley said a non-stop service from Honolulu to the US East Coast would provide Australians with an attractive alternative.
He said: “I think you’ll be able to divide your trip more evenly between the two admittedly long legs to the East Coast of the US.”
Source: The Australian
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December 9, 2007 at 5:23 am