HONOLULU — Hawaiian Airlines continues to soar. For the first quarter of 2017, the airline had an adjusted net income of $56 million, an increase of almost $13 million from last year. “The year has started extremely well,” said Mark
HONOLULU — Hawaiian Airlines continues to soar.
For the first quarter of 2017, the airline had an adjusted net income of $56 million, an increase of almost $13 million from last year.
“The year has started extremely well,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. “Strong demand, coupled with benign industry capacity growth in our geographies have given us a robust operating environment sufficient to more than offset the impact of the rising price of fuel.”
Hawaiian Airlines, which employs 137 at the Lihue Airport, has an average of 21 departures a day in Lihue.
During the first quarter, Hawaiian Airlines experienced growth in domestic, international and cargo flights. The amount of domestic flights saw double digit increases, said Peter Ingram, vice president and chief commercial officer.
The airline saw an increase in demand for flights to Japan and Australia, Ingram said.
At the end of last year, the company added two Boeing B717-200s, each with 128 seats. Those planes started service this year.
“We’re using them to add capacity in peak, mid-day period,” Ingram said.
Other first quarter highlights include being ranked No. 1 for on-time performance by the U.S. Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Report in January, being named airline of the year by Incheon International Airport for 2016 and expanding in-house pilot training by adding an A321neo simulator, according to a release from the airline.
As of March 31, the company had unrestricted cash equivalents and short-term investments of $740 million, ratified a 63-month contract with its pilots and offers several new routes.
“I’m encouraged we have strong operations, and it shows no sign of weakening in months ahead,” Dunkerley said.
