Aloha Becomes First To Cut Flights
Airline To Furlough Some Workers
UPDATED: 9:26 pm HST September 17, 2001
Email
Print
HONOLULU -- In a move that appeared inevitable, Aloha Airlines became the first local carrier to announce a cutback in flights and the possible furlough of some workers.The announcement came as both of Hawaii's interisland carriers acknowledged that last week's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington have resulted in a drastic reduction in passengers. Aloha estimates that it has lost 25 to 30 percent of its interisland traffic.
"We consider this a serious financial situation," Aloha spokesman Stu Glauberman said. "We're looking for improvement, we hope it will improve, but at this time we have no guarantee it will improve anytime soon."The cuts in service will begin next Monday, Glauberman said. The airline will trim its interisland flights by 26 percent, from 150 daily departures to 113.Aloha will also eliminate jet service between Kahului and Kona, and Kahului and Hilo. Sister airline Island Air is expected to pick up some of the slack.As for Aloha's employees, Glauberman said that an unknown number of pilots, flight attendants and airport workers will be furloughed. There are no plans to cutback on the number of Aloha's mainland flights, though business will be closely monitored.
Aloha's chief competitor, Hawaiian Airlines, acknowledged Monday that it is also considering cutbacks."There have been discussions," Hawaiian Airlines spokesman Keoni Wagner said. "We are facing most of the same economic issues that the rest of the industry is at this point in time. But that would be a last resort position."Gov. Ben Cayetano met with Hawaiian CEO Paul Casey and Aloha President Glenn Zander Monday. Cayetano's spokesman said that he agreed to support federal legislation that would release all U.S. carriers from anti-trust regulations, which would let local airlines coordinate flight schedules and share demand as a way to cut expenses.Local representatives for national carriers Northwest and American said that they have received no orders to cut Hawaii flights or personnel. Virtually all major U.S. carriers are cutting flights by as much as 20 percent nationwide.
| Video |
Aloha's chief competitor, Hawaiian Airlines, acknowledged Monday that it is also considering cutbacks."There have been discussions," Hawaiian Airlines spokesman Keoni Wagner said. "We are facing most of the same economic issues that the rest of the industry is at this point in time. But that would be a last resort position."Gov. Ben Cayetano met with Hawaiian CEO Paul Casey and Aloha President Glenn Zander Monday. Cayetano's spokesman said that he agreed to support federal legislation that would release all U.S. carriers from anti-trust regulations, which would let local airlines coordinate flight schedules and share demand as a way to cut expenses.Local representatives for national carriers Northwest and American said that they have received no orders to cut Hawaii flights or personnel. Virtually all major U.S. carriers are cutting flights by as much as 20 percent nationwide.Copyright 2007 by TheHawaiiChannel.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
