Every month, the HTA reviews its forecast of air seat capacity to Hawaii. With recent announcements of new routes and increased airlift to the Hawaiian Islands, the HTA anticipates even greater growth in air seats this year. Total scheduled air seat capacity is expected to surpass 10 million seats in 2012, 9.0 percent over last year and up from the 7.7 percent growth originally project in February 2012. By the end of the year, total air seat capacity to the state is expected to reach 99 percent of peak 2007 levels.
This latest projection is based on flights appearing in OAG and Diio airline schedules as of August 2012.
The U.S. Mainland continues to be Hawaii’s single largest air service market, accounting for 68 percent of scheduled seats to the state. Scheduled seats from the U.S. West region are expected to rise 5.7 percent, primarily due to the expansion of service by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. New flights by Allegiant Air, the latest carrier to enter the Hawaii market, are also contributing to the growth in air capacity from the U.S. West market. The carrier launched Hawaii service with flights from Las Vegas and Fresno in June, and will commence nonstop service to the state from Bellingham, Eugene, Monterey, Santa Maria and Stockton by the end of 2012.
Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural nonstop service from New York, and United Airlines’ new flight from Washington, D.C. are expected to grow U.S. East air seat capacity by 4 percent in 2012.
With these combined airlift increases from U.S. West and U.S. East markets, Hawaii is positioned to outpace all competing destinations for the U.S. Mainland in terms of air seats in 2012.
