Hawaiian Air scoffs at economy

Called it shrewd or call it stupid, but Hawaiian Air is continuing to make huge investments in an already shaky industry.

Hawaii's largest airline is getting another big-boy Airbus to add to its fleet after already purchasing two, which are to be delivered in 2010. These big-boys will be able to fly non-stop from the Big Island to every major airport in North America and parts of eastern Asia, making the inevitable layover in Los Angeles a soon-to-be thing of the past.

Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO, said, "These commitments to
increasing the size of our fleet and to bringing the new aircraft to Hawaii two
years earlier than planned deepen Hawaiian's already substantial investment in
our home state and its economy."

Now only if that home state economy would cooperate. According to recent reports, the state experienced a 10% drop in visitors during 2008, and those that are coming are spending less. That same report, offered by the state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (that's a mouthful), predicts further drops in '09.

As long as Hawaiian can weather the economic storm next year (no sure thing with airlines nowadays), it could be putting itself in a great position for the future. If the new big-boys can help the company reduce costs (and they just might with increased seating capacity and improved fuel efficiency that the Airbus is supposed to provide), the company could come out looking like geniuses. Currently, Continental is the only airline to fly non-stop to The Land of Pineapples.

Now only if they could do something about that 9.5 hour flight time from PTG v.2 HQ. Maybe a Mad Max triple feature?

Image from Hawaii Magazine