"New Zealanders are avid travelers and we believe the introduction of new nonstop flights with our winning brand of service will be welcomed in meeting pent-up demand for a Hawai’i vacation," said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO. "At the same time, our new service will offer Hawai’i residents easy access to the natural wonders and Maori culture of New Zealand."
Hawaiian will be the only U.S. carrier flying into Auckland.
Hawaiian’s new service will add more than 40,000 seats annually between Auckland and Hawai’i.
"Hawaiian Airlines’ entry into the New Zealand market is more positive news for Hawai’i's tourism economy, with the potential to bring in up to an estimated $50 million in annual visitor expenditures and $5.4 million in tax revenue," said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA).
According to HTA, the New Zealand market is a strong source of visitors for Hawai’i. In 2011, Hawai’i received 20,730 arrivals from New Zealand – an increase of 15.4% compared to 2010 – which were responsible for generating $38 million in visitor expenditures. Year-to-date through May 2012, arrivals from New Zealand have increased by 5.1% year-over-year.
Hawaiian will operate the Auckland-Honolulu flights using its fleet of wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, seating 264 passengers.
Flight schedules and the start of ticket sales for the new Auckland service will be announced at a later date.
Auckland will be the eighth new destination that Hawaiian has introduced or announced new service to since November 2010.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
