Hawaiian carrier Aloha Airlines is to cease passenger operations from the day March 31st, just over a week since the company filed for US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Aloha Airlines says that it is to shut down its inter-island and transpacific passenger flights, a decision which chief executive David Banmiller describes as marking an “incredibly dark day” for the island state.
It will not operate flights between Hawaii and the US West Coast tomorrow, nor services between Orange County, Reno and Sacramento, nor its Oakland-Las Vegas flights.
Honolulu-based Aloha says codeshare partner United Airlines and other carriers are to assist affected passengers. The airline will stop selling tickets immediately for travel beyond 31 March.
Its cargo and aviation services divisions will continue to operate while bankruptcy courts consider bids from potential buyers.
Aloha says the shutdown of its passenger operations will affect around 1,900 personnel.
“Despite the groundswell of support from the community and our elected officials we simply ran out of time to find a qualified buyer or secure continued financing for our passenger business,” says Banmiller. “We had no choice but to take this action.”
Aloha Airlines was founded in 1946. The carrier has a fleet of around 25 Boeing 737s, most of which are older 737-200 models. It also has several 737-700s owned by a variety of lessors.
Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: FlightGlobal.com
