Category Archives: Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines 2021 Corporate Kuleana Report: Persevering through the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging stronger

Hawaiian Airlines today released its 2021 Corporate Kuleana Report, which outlines the carrier’s progress on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives during the most challenging period in its 92-year history as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are rising from this crisis not only with renewed optimism but as a better, more sustainable airline for our guests, our employees and the planet,” Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram wrote in the report’s welcome message. “As we progress through 2021, I am incredibly proud of our team’s accomplishments in the face of extreme adversity and encouraged for our future.”

Addressing climate change remains one of Hawaiian’s key ESG priorities. The airline has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through ongoing fleet investments, more efficient flying, carbon offsets, and industry advocacy for air traffic control reform and sustainable aviation fuel development and proliferation. Starting this year, Hawaiian has pledged to offset emissions from international flights above 2019 levels, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Hawai‘i’s hometown airline also defined steps it is taking to foster diversity and inclusion, calling it a “key driver of our success.” Evidence-based processes to minimize bias in hiring and promotional practices across Hawaiian have contributed to team diversity, with approximately 78% of its active workforce identifying as diverse based on ethnicity and 44% based on gender.

“We can always do better, and we are re-examining our practices to ensure Hawaiian Airlines remains a diverse, inclusive, equitable and desirable place to work, and where every team member is respected, valued and supported,” Ingram said.

The report chronicles how Hawaiian – Hawai‘i’s only locally based major carrier and one of its largest employers – endured the devastating impacts of the pandemic by preserving financial resources, supporting employees and communities statewide, and safely providing essential transportation.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, Hawaiian became the first U.S. airline to establish a network of dedicated drive-through testing sites near its key gateway airports once the state of Hawai‘i began exempting travelers from quarantine with proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

“We enhanced disinfection throughout our operations and adopted an in-flight face covering policy as an added layer of protection in our cabins, which were already extremely safe by virtue of their built-in airflow and filtration systems,” the report noted.

In addition to maintaining vital transportation for passengers and cargo to, from and within the islands throughout the pandemic, Hawaiian employees participated in numerous philanthropic efforts, which took on renewed importance in 2020. Among the highlights:

More than 1,500 Hawaiian Airlines volunteers donated approximately 6,500 hours to cultural and environmental conservation initiatives, and to care for Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable community members. The airline also partnered with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education in a summerlong Kōkua our Schools project to refresh seven public campuses before educators welcomed students back in the fall semester.

Hawaiian operated a complex humanitarian mission to fly 1.6 million masks to Honolulu from Shenzhen, China.

The airline supported Hawai‘i’s medical workers, including doctors, nurses, assistants and volunteers who took over 600 complimentary neighbor island flights in April and May 2020 to conduct COVID-19 testing and deliver care.
Hawaiian donated $472,000 worth of catering goods – ranging from new hand towels and condiments to soft drinks and packaged foods – to nonprofits in Hawai‘i and throughout the carrier’s U.S. mainland network, as well as hundreds of thousands of soft goods and inflight items to local humanitarian organizations and schools, such as Main Cabin blankets, pillowcases and amenity kits, and First Class slippers, mattress pads and pillowcases.

Hawaiian’s 2021 Corporate Kuleana Report includes metrics established by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

Hawaiian Airlines to resume Tahiti service

Hawaiian Airlines has announced the resumption of its Tahiti service following the launch of a pre-travel testing program between Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia that allows for quarantine-free travel within the two archipelagos. Beginning Aug. 7, Hawaiian will reinstate once-weekly nonstop flying between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Tahiti’s Fa’a’ā International Airport (PPT), utilizing its 278-seat Airbus A330 aircraft.

Hawaiian has served as the leading carrier for Hawaiʻi-Tahiti air travel since its inaugural service in June 1987. The airline suspended its PPT service flights in March 2020 due to the pandemic. The carrier’s resumption of flights is made possible by the new pre-travel testing program established by Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige and French Polynesia President Édouard Fritch — a result of low COVID-19 cases within the two destinations.

Both Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia will implement strict travel requirements for resident and visitor safety. Those traveling inbound from PPT to HNL must complete and upload a negative test result from the Institut Louis Malardé, a state-approved testing partner, to the state of Hawaiʻi’s Safe Travels program. Guests traveling outbound to PPT from HNL will need to provide proof of vaccination and have fulfilled the government of Tahiti’s COVID-19 entry requirements prior to travel. Those not compliant will be subject to a 10-day quarantine.

Hawaiian Airlines flight HA481 will depart HNL at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7 and arrive at PPT at 9:30 p.m. Flight HA482 will depart PPT at 11:30 p.m. the same evening and arrive into HNL at 5:15 a.m. the following day.

Meanwhile the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (N780HA) has been painted by Boeing at North Charleston, SC site pending delivery.

Looking back: A photo from the past:

Hawaiian Airlines ends ‘Ohana by Hawaiian service, ATRs to leave Hawaii

Hawaiian Airlines announced on May 27 that it will not restart its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger service between Honolulu and Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i as well as its statewide ATR freighter cargo service.

Freighter service with ATR 72 aircraft was suspended in November 2020 and passenger service with ATR 42 aircraft was halted January 14, 2021.

Above Photo: Konstantin von Wedelstaedt.

Service between Honolulu and Kapalua was suspended in March 2020. The severe decline in Neighbor Island travel demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and state and county quarantine measures triggered a labor provision that led to the temporary suspension of passenger and cargo flights. Hawaiian decided to permanently end service following an in-depth assessment of the overall operation and its long-term viability.

Hawaiian would have incurred significant costs and faced numerous obstacles in restarting service with its current fleet of aircraft. The soonest flights could have resumed was at the end of this year.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian was operated by Idaho-based Empire Airlines as a third-party feeder carrier. When service was at its peak, Empire employed 82 pilots, flight attendants and maintenance personnel in the state of Hawai‘i as well as 15 at its home base in Idaho. All 97 employees were dedicated to the ‘Ohana operation.

Contractor Worldwide Flight Services employed a staff of 28 to provide ground handling services. All other ‘Ohana by Hawaiian operations were managed by Hawaiian employees, who will be reassigned to other areas of the company.

Hawaiian has begun moving its ATR fleet to the U.S. mainland for storage and eventual sale. The company lent some of its ground support equipment to Mokulele Airlines, which is providing service between Honolulu and Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i.

Hawaiian launched ‘Ohana by Hawaiian flights in the spring of 2014, followed by all-cargo service in the summer of 2018.

Videos:

Top Copyright Photo: Ohana by Hawaiian-Empire Airlines ATR 72-212 (F) N810HC (msn 423) HNL (Ivan K. Nishimura). Image: 943082.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian aircraft slide show:

Hawaiian Airlines ramps up its hiring efforts ahead of summer travel season

Hawaiian Airlines is seeking qualified candidates to fill more than 400 positions ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer travel season.

Hawaiian saw a rebound in demand in the first quarter and has been rebuilding its network and workforce to accommodate steadily growing interest in travel to its home state. The need for team members on Maui is particularly acute, and Hawaiian is offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus to attract experienced applicants for most jobs on the Valley Isle.

“We aspire to be the employer of choice,” said Robin Kobayashi, senior vice president of human resources at Hawaiian Airlines. “We offer rewarding career opportunities along with generous travel privileges. As businesses recover from the pandemic, the need for qualified workers is increasing. It is imperative that we remain competitive, and we hope our sign-on bonus for positions on Maui generates a lot of interest.”

Hawai‘i’s hometown airline currently employs about 6,850 people, more than 90 percent of whom are based in the state. Most new positions are in airport operations and include guest service agents, ramp agents, operations managers and aircraft mechanics in Honolulu, Maui, Hilo, Kona, Līhu‘e and in select cities on the U.S. West Coast; the majority are part-time positions. Full-time job opportunities at the company’s corporate office in Honolulu are in IT, marketing, human resources and sales.

Although Hawaiian recalled nearly all furloughed employees, it is hiring to backfill vacant positions and to fill openings that support new routes. The company recently launched nonstop services between Honolulu and Orlando, Austin and Ontario, California, and added flights connecting Maui to Long Beach and Phoenix.

“We’re looking for team members who can help us deliver the exceptional service and guest experience that Hawaiian is known for,” added Kobayashi.

For a complete list of job openings, position descriptions, qualifications, and benefits, visit www.hawaiianairlines.com/careers.

Top Copyright Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-243 N386HA (msn 1302) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 952315.

Hawaiian aircraft slide show:

Hawaiian loses $60.7 million in the first quarter

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2021.

First Quarter 2021 – Key Financial Metrics
	GAAP	YoY Change	Adjusted	YoY Change
Net Loss	($60.7M)	$83.7M	($190.6M)	($156.6M)
Diluted EPS	($1.23)	$1.91	($3.85)	($3.11)
Pre-tax Margin	(42.2)%	(10.9) pts.	(132.4)%	(124.4) pts.

“We reached an important inflection point during the first quarter on our path to recovery with an encouraging rebound in demand, despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impose on our business. Bookings in North America improved materially as we began to realize the pent up demand for leisure travel after a year of lockdown,” said Peter Ingram , Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO. “I am grateful to my colleagues who continue to connect people with aloha in the face of historic uncertainty. I am more optimistic each day about our progress as we rebuild our network and capitalize on the resilience of Hawai’i as a post-pandemic vacation destination.”

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

First Quarter 2021

Financial Results

For the first quarter of 2021, the Company reported a net loss of $60.7 million , and adjusted net loss of $190.6 million .

The Company reported total revenue of $182 million , down 72% compared to the first quarter of 2019, on 49% lower capacity. After a slow start to the year, the Company experienced a rebound in close-in demand in North America in March 2021.

The Company reported total operating expenses of $255.4 million , and operating expenses excluding non-recurring items of $402.7 million , down 33% compared to the first quarter of 2019.

Routes and Network

Throughout the first quarter of 2021, the State of Hawai’i continued its Safe Travels program, which allows guests to avoid quarantine with evidence of a negative COVID-19 test, subject to certain additional county-specific requirements.

The Company continued to rebuild as well as expand its network primarily in North America . During the first quarter, the Company operated an average of 51% of its first quarter system 2019 capacity, comprised of 73%, 38% and 12% of North America , Neighbor Island and International 2019 capacity levels, respectively.

In March and April of 2021, the Company launched four new North America routes. Starting in the summer of 2021, the Company will expand frequencies on the less than daily routes.

Daily service between Kahului , Maui (OGG) and Long Beach (LGB), which started March 9, 2021 .
Twice weekly service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), which started March 11, 2021 .
Five-times-weekly service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Ontario International Airport (ONT), which started March 16, 2021 .
Twice weekly service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), which started April 21, 2021 .

In April 2021 , the Company announced it will initiate four-times-weekly service between Kahului , Maui (OGG) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) starting in May 2021 .

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had:

Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.9 billion , up $1.0 billion from December 31, 2020
Outstanding debt and finance lease obligations of $2.1 billion , up $852 million from December 31, 2020
Air traffic liability of $687 million , up $154 million from December 31, 2020

The Company further enhanced its liquidity position during the first quarter of 2021, including:

In February 2021 , Hawaiian completed a private placement by Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property, Ltd., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Hawaiian, and HawaiianMiles Loyalty, Ltd., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Hawaiian, of an aggregate of $1.2 billion principal amount of 5.75% senior secured notes due 2026.
In March 2021 , the Company completed an at-the-market equity offering (“ATM program”) of shares of its common stock. The Company issued an aggregate of 5.0 million shares through the ATM program, raising net proceeds of $109 million , of which $68 million was raised in the first quarter of 2021.
As of March 31, 2021 , the Company has received $147.3 million in grants and $20.2 million in loans pursuant to the Payroll Support Program Extension Agreement (the “PSP Extension Agreement”) with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

In February 2021 , the Company repaid in full the $45 million loan from the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Economic Relief Program pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). This debt extinguishment resulted in the recognition of a non-operating loss of $4 million.

In February 2021 , the Company repaid $235 million of borrowings under its revolving credit facility, of which the full amount is available to the Company.

In the second quarter of 2021, the Company expects to receive approximately $25.1 million pursuant to the PSP Extension Agreement and approximately $179.7 million in Payroll Support Program funds pursuant to a Payroll Support Program 3 Agreement (“PSP3”) with the U.S. Department of Treasury under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

As of March 31, 2021 , the Company had $2.1 billion in liquidity, including the undrawn portion of its revolver. This figure does not include the $205 million of additional PSP Extension Agreement and PSP3 funding that the Company expects to receive in the second quarter. The Company is confident it has the liquidity to weather the remaining near-term effects of the pandemic and is not currently looking to raise additional capital.

Guest Experience

The Company continues to adapt its policies and services to better meet the needs of its guests. In April 2021 , the Company announced that HawaiianMiles – the currency of its award-winning loyalty program – will no longer expire. This policy comes in addition to the elimination of change fees and the extension of status for Hawaiian’s elite members.

In the first quarter, the Company joined the State of Hawai’i Pre-Clear Program, allowing its guests in both domestic and participating international markets ( Japan and Korea) who are entering the state of Hawai’i to validate their pre-travel testing status at their departure airport and avoid lines upon arrival in Hawai’i.

Starting June 1, 2021 , the Company will bring back more of its signature onboard services, including drink service, complimentary Koloa Breeze cocktails, and a curated assortment of alcoholic beverages and snacks for purchase, in addition to the complimentary meals it has served throughout the pandemic, while maintaining the highest standards of safety for its guests and guest-facing team members.

The Company continues its enhanced cleaning procedures and guest-facing protocols to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Understanding that health and safety are still critical concerns for our guests, the Company will continue to focus on effective measures such as:

Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of counters and self-service check-in kiosks in airports.
Ensuring hand sanitizers are readily available for guests at airports it serves.
Requiring guests and guest facing employees to wear a face mask or covering, with guests required to wear masks from check-in to deplaning (except when eating or drinking on board).
Performing enhanced aircraft cleaning between flights and during overnight parking.

Awards and Recognition

The Company maintained its #1 national ranking for On-Time Performance for the 17th consecutive year in 2020 as well as in January and February of 2021, as reported in the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Air Travel Consumer Report.

Second Quarter 2021 Outlook

The Company expects to continue to rebuild its network in the second quarter, and expects significant sequential improvement in revenue compared to the first quarter, primarily driven by strength in North America. The Company expects a sequential increase in operating expenses, excluding non-recurring items, driven by the increase in capacity as compared to the first quarter.

The table below summarizes the Company’s expectations for the second quarter ending June 30, 2021 , expressed as an expected percentage change compared to the results for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 , as applicable.

Item	Second Quarter 2021 Guidance	GAAP Equivalent	GAAP Second Quarter 2021 Guidance
ASMs	Down 30 to 33%
Total Revenue	Down 45 to 50%
Operating Expenses, excluding non-recurring items (a)	Down 20 to 24%	Operating Expenses (a)	Down 35 to 39%
Interest Expense	$30 million
Adjusted EBITDAR (b)	($70) million to ($20) million
Effective Tax Rate	~21%
Fuel Price per Gallon	$1.75


(a) See Table 4 for a reconciliation of GAAP operating expenses to operating expenses excluding non-recurring items.
(b) The Company is not providing a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDAR to GAAP net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as it is unable, without unreasonable efforts, to calculate certain special and non-recurring charges, which could have a significant impact on the GAAP measure.

Statistical information, as well as a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Full Year 2021 Outlook

The Company expects its capital expenditures for the full year of 2021 to be between $50 and $60 million.

Top Copyright Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-243 N386HA (msn 1302) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 952315.

Hawaiian aircraft slide show:

Hawaiian Airlines lands in the Lone Star State

Hawaiian Airlines on April 22 celebrated the inauguration of its twice-weekly nonstop service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) (above) and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Hawai’i’s hometown carrier introduced its in-house music and dance group, The Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders, to the “Live Music Capital of the World” as it welcomed guests aboard its first flight to Hawai’i.

Flight HA81 departs Austin on Thursday and Sunday at 10:10 a.m. with a 1:30 p.m. scheduled arrival in Honolulu, allowing guests to check in to their accommodations and begin exploring O’ahu or connect to any of Hawaiian’s four Neighbor Island destinations. The flight from Honolulu to Austin, HA82, departs on Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m. and arrives at 10:10 p.m.

Hawaiian will increase AUS-HNL service to three weekly flights from May 28 through Aug. 13 to meet summer travel demand.

In recognition of the inaugural service coinciding with Earth Day, Hawaiian encouraged guests heading to Hawai’i to travel pono – responsibly – by gifting them a reusable utensil kit, part of the airline’s new eco-minded collection of products that that launched this week.

Above Copyright Photo: Fernandez Imaging.

Top Copyright Photo: Fernandez Imaging.

Hawaiian Airlines begins ticket sales for nonstop Phoenix-Maui Flights

Hawaiian Airlines has begun ticket sales for nonstop service between Phoenix (PHX) and Maui (OGG). Hawaiian’s four-times-weekly flights – the only daytime service connecting Phoenix and Kahului – will be offered May 21 through Aug. 15, making it convenient for Arizonans to visit the Valley Isle in time for the Memorial Day holiday and the summer travel season.

Flight HA57 will depart Phoenix at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday , arriving in Kahului at 10:25 a.m. The flight from Kahului to Phoenix, HA58, departs at 10:40 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with a 7:25 p.m. arrival.

Hawaiian’s summer Phoenix – Maui flights complement Hawaiian’s daily nonstop service to Honolulu, which the carrier originally launched in 2002. Hawaiian today operates the most nonstop flights between the US. Mainland and Maui , including via Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento.

Hawaiian Airlines launches Ontario-Honolulu service

Hawaiian Airlines on March 17 inaugurated five-times-weekly nonstop service to Honolulu (HNL) from Ontario (ONT), giving Inland Empire travelers a convenient way to experience the carrier’s award-winning hospitality on their way to a Hawai‘i vacation. Hawaiian’s Ontario-Honolulu service – which will be offered daily starting May 24 to meet summer demand – expands options for Greater Los Angeles residents who have enjoyed the airline’s nonstop flights to the Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles (LAX) and Long Beach (LGB).

The Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders performed for guests at Ontario International Airport

Guests boarding Hawaiians’ inaugural flight to Honolulu received flower lei and were treated to Hawaiian music and dance. Flight HA73 departs Ontario at 9:05 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a 12:20 p.m. scheduled arrival time in Honolulu, giving guests ample time to settle into their accommodations and begin exploring O‘ahu or to connect to any of Hawaiian’s four Neighbor Island destinations. The flight from Honolulu to Ontario, HA74, departs at 1:05 p.m. and arrives at 9:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Jeff Helfrick, vice president of airport operations at Hawaiian Airlines and Keoni Martin participate in a blessing of HA73

Hawaiian, the nation’s most punctual airline for 17 straight years, will service the ONT-HNL route with its modern Airbus A321neos, a quiet and fuel-efficient aircraft with 16 luxurious leather recliners in First Class, 44 Extra Comfort seats and 129 Main Cabin seats.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hawaiian connects Hawaii nonstop with Florida

Hawaiian Airlines has made this announcement:

Floridians yearning for a Hawai‘i vacation can now conveniently travel from the Sunshine to the Aloha state with Hawaiian Airlines’ new, twice-weekly nonstop service between Orlando (MCO) and Honolulu (HNL). Hawai‘i’s hometown carrier this morning welcomed guests with flower lei, and Hawaiian music and dance as they boarded the first scheduled commercial flight connecting Florida and Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian will increase MCO-HNL service to three weekly flights from June 1 through Aug. 10 to meet summer travel demand.

Dancers and musicians performed at the inaugural ceremony for HA85 at Orlando International Airport

Prior to the start of Hawaiian’s service, Orlando was one of the largest U.S. travel markets to the Hawaiian Islands without nonstop flights. A sought-after destination for Hawai’i residents visiting its world-renowned attractions, Orlando becomes Hawaiian’s third Eastern gateway city – along with New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS).

Flight HA85 departs Orlando on Tuesday and Saturday at 8:15 a.m. with a 2:05 p.m. scheduled arrival in Honolulu, allowing guests to check in to their accommodations and begin exploring O‘ahu or connect to any of Hawaiian’s four Neighbor Island destinations. The flight from Honolulu to Orlando, HA86, departs on Thursday and Sunday at 5:15 p.m. and arrives at 7 a.m. the next day. Hawaiian’s increased seasonal summer schedule will include additional departures from MCO on Thursdays and from HNL on Tuesdays.

HA85 departed MCO with a water cannon salute to mark the inaugural service

Hawaiian Airlines starts Long Beach-Maui service

Hawaiian Airlines on March 10 began nonstop service between Long Beach (LGB) and Kahului, Maui (OGG), welcoming Southern California travelers onboard with flower lei and the convenience of a second daily flight to Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i’s hometown airline became the first carrier to connect Long Beach to the Hawaiian Islands when it started Honolulu service in the summer of 2018.

Photo credit: Long Beach Airport

Hawaiian’s Airbus A321neo departing Long Beach Airport for Maui’s Kahului Airport.

Flight HA72 departs Long Beach daily at 8:35 a.m. with a 12:35 p.m. scheduled arrival time on Maui, giving guests ample time to settle in their accommodations and enjoy their first afternoon on the Valley Isle. The flight from Maui to Long Beach, HA71, departs at 12:45 p.m. and arrives at 8:05 p.m.