Southwest Airlines recently shared more details in the carrier's service plans for Hawaii by announcing initial gateway cities in California that would offer nonstop service, pending required regulatory approvals.
Oakland Metropolitan Airport (OAK), San Diego International Airport (SAN), Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) would gain Hawaii service in the carrier's flight schedules following FAA authorization for Hawaii service.
Last week, Southwest announced its initial plan to serve four airports in the Hawaiian Islands: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu , Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) at Keahole on the leeward side of Hawaii Island.
In the latest of a two-year series of community meetings across the Islands to gain insight ahead of potential service, Southwest President Tom Nealon recently shared details of an announcement with tourism, civic, and government leaders and further shared the carrier's intention to eventually offer some inter-island flights as operations ramp up initially across four airports in Hawaii, according to a Southwest Airlines news release.
"The way we plan to serve Hawaii requires us to share these initial details now so that our facilities in the airports will be ready for all that we intend to offer," Nealon told a small gathering in Waikiki when then announcement was made. "We're on-track with our plans to sell tickets this year and are respectfully engaged in the process to receive FAA authorization to operate between the mainland and the Islands."
Visit www.southwest.com
Related Stories
Hawaii Island Visitors Bureau on Volcano: No Reason to Change Travel Plans
Stats: Hawaii on the Rise for Summer Travel This Year
Alaska Airlines Begins Removing Virgin America Presence
High-End Hawaii: The Destination's Latest Luxury Hotel News