Mokulele begins 14 flights a day

November 18th, 2008

We blogged a few weeks ago about a  Indianapolis-based Republic Airways was planning to form a partnership with Kailua-Kona-based Mokulele Airlines in order to provide more passenger seats for Hawaii’s interisland travelers and to create competition for Hawaiian Airlines in the market.

Well, they’ve done it, spurring hopes for lower fares and more options.  Starting November 19th, Mokulele will begin flying 14 flights a day between Honolulu and Lihue, Kauai, and between Honolulu and Kailua, Kona, using 70-seat Embraer E170 jets operated by Republic.  Service to Maui and Hilo is to start in January.

Republic Airways also will provide $150 million in financing, which will include a line of credit and spare engine parts for the new service.

It’s expected that some 200 of the employees who were laid off when Aloha Airlines folded will now be hired by Mokulele.

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, this could be good news for you, too.  Maybe prices will be more favorable for interisland travel, and we now have more options for booking convenient travel arrangements for you.

Entry Filed under: Oahu