Hawaiian, Aloha React to Go!

After they matched Go!'s latest fare sale, Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines returned fire on the Mesa division that provides interisland service in Hawaii. Under the sale, one-way fares start at $19 for travel through February 27, 2007 on selected flights. Hawaiian Airlines, which is at legal odds with Mesa, said in a statement that the market knows $19 won't be the long-term price of interisland air travel. "If it wasn't clear to everyone before," said Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, "it should be now that Mesa is trying to eliminate competition in Hawaii." For his part, Aloha's president and CEO, David Banmiller, characterized the latest fare sale as a direct attack on the livelihood of Aloha's employees and their families. He said that Aloha is in Hawaii for the long term, and will no longer accept Go!'s tickets when the carrier's flights are canceled or delayed. Additionally, Banmiller said, Aloha will not accept bags from Go! passengers whose luggage can't be carried by Go!