Hawaiian Airlines saw encouraging signs of improvement in some of its international markets in the 2022 first quarter (Q1), and it expects further gains to occur in the second quarter.
Hawaiian Airlines estimates the latest surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron coronavirus variant will delay the rebuilding of its international network by a few months.
Hawaiian Airlines views the restart of its Australian flights as a major step in its international recovery, although CEO Peter Ingram warns the omicron coronavirus variant could still cause more setbacks in the slowly recovering Asia-Pacific region.
Hawaiian, which provides the only regularly scheduled air link between the two island chains, paused flights for 17 months at the request of the American Samoa government.
The third CRAF call-up in 41 years will include three aircraft each from American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines and Omni Air; two from Hawaiian Airlines and four from United Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines is terminating its Ohana turboprop operation, confirming that the service will not return after months of suspension due to the coronavirus crisis.
A strong rebound in demand from U.S. mainland markets is providing a major boost for Hawaiian Airlines, but for full recovery the airline still needs similar improvement in international and inter-island markets.
Hawaiian Airlines is the latest U.S. operator to cite growing momentum in bookings, and as a result the company’s outlook for the first quarter has improved.