Statement Regarding Aloha Airlines Attributable to Rex Johnson, President, Hawaii...

Statement Regarding Aloha Airlines Attributable to Rex Johnson, President,
Hawaii Tourism Authority
HTA Responds to Aloha Airlines Announcement

HONOLULU, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is
saddened to learn that Aloha Airlines will shut down its interisland and
transpacific passenger operations after Monday, March 31, 2008. Aloha
Airlines and its generations of employees have had a long and noble history of
serving Hawaii's residents and visitors, and its many contributions to our
community will be missed. Our hearts go out to the company's employees and
their family members who are affected by the closure.
According to Aloha's announcement, on March 31, 2008, Aloha will operate
its schedule with the exception of flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and
flights from Orange County to Reno and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas.
Aloha's code-share partner United Airlines and other airlines are prepared to
assist and accommodate passengers who have been inconvenienced. Aloha also
announced that its air cargo and aviation services units will continue to
operate as usual while the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeks bids from potential
buyers.
Given concerns over the potential of Aloha's closing following its March
20 bankruptcy filing, the State Legislature, Hawaii Visitors and Convention
Bureau (HVCB), Governor's Tourism Liaison, HTA and the Hawaii Hotel and
Lodging Association (HHLA), have been coordinating with airlines and hotels
who have been hard at work on contingency plans to minimize the impact of the
shut down on visitors and residents.
Hawaii's primary interisland carriers have informed HTA that they are
ready to increase their capacity to compensate for the loss of seats resulting
from Aloha's closure. This will be achieved by expanded daily schedules and
the addition of aircraft. It is anticipated that transpacific carriers serving
Aloha's regional markets on the U.S. mainland will be able to absorb the void
left by Aloha.
Aloha Airlines' ticket holders with departures after March 31, can check
HVCB's Web site www.gohawaii.com/alohaairlines for information on how
to contact other airlines serving Aloha's markets. It is recommended that
passengers get in touch with these airlines to determine seat availability and
booking instructions before going to the airport. Aloha Airlines updates are
also linked to HTA's Web site www.hawaiitourismauthority.org and all of
HVCB's island chapters' Web sites (Oahu Visitors Bureau, Kauai Visitors
Bureau, Maui Visitors Bureau, and Big Island Visitors Bureau).
Various hotels statewide are offering special considerations to stranded
passengers for extended or emergency accommodations. Visitors should confirm
with individual hotels what assistance is available.
Over the next few days, there will no doubt be travel inconveniences
caused by Aloha's departure. However, for the long term, we anticipate that
there will be minimal disruption to Hawaii's interisland and transpacific air
service. Hawaii residents and visitors should be able to continue interisland
and domestic travel with only minor adjustments to their plans.
This is a very difficult time for Aloha Airlines, its employees, and our
state. HTA is committed to working with all stakeholders and involved parties
and to provide assistance, when possible, as the situation continues to
develop.
Neighbor Island Web Sites:
Kauai Visitors Bureau: www.kauaidiscovery.com
Maui Visitors Bureau: www.visitmaui.com
Oahu Visitors Bureau: www.visit-oahu.com
Big Island Visitors Bureau: www.bigisland.org

SOURCE Hawaii Tourism Authority

Sharon Freitas, Director of Communications of Hawaii Tourism Authority,
+1-808-973-2272, or Darlene Morikawa, Director of Public
Relations|Communications of Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau,
+1-808-924-0259