Hawaiian Airlines sees big market

Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO Mark Dunkerley said that competitive pricing and value for money service will enable the airlines to entice the 200,000 strong market flying to and from Manila and Honolulu.

In an interview, Dunkerley said he is confident twice weekly flights of 1,000 seats can easily be sold. Hawaiian Airlines held its inaugural flight from Manila to Honolulu last April 17.

"We have complementary markets- we bring home the Filipino migrants from Hawaii and encourage more Americans and Filipinos in Manila to use the airline", he said.

Hawaiian Airlines is very familiar with the Philippines with its reservations and back office work outsourced and run in Baguio.

Hawaiian’s Manila flight is the first in Asia. It flies to Tahiti, Sydney and the US mainland.

It is the only airline based in Honolulu that still thrives after the twin failures of Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines.

Dunkerley’s gamble seems to be on a good start, with Filipinos in Hawaii welcoming the new service.

In our return flight, we sat next to a family of seven returning to Laoag after two years.

They said they were happy with the rates given them.

Workers of Filipino descent at the airport also eagerly asked about the service and questioned wether Filipino food was served.

The airline was savvy enough to offer chicken adobo for lunch.

Snacks were plentiful and water and juices were available during the 10-hour flight.

Its flight entertainment aside from new movies were Wowowee shows and a sitcom headed by Aga Muhlach.

Dunkerley said that the non-stop flights between Manila and Honolulu will be a big success, saying the airline is very much focused in managing details to make flights comfortable and enjoyable for passengers.

He said the current economic growth in the Philippines provides Hawaiian opportunities for a new market.

Hawaiian Airlines is the 11th largest commercial airline in the United States. It operates its main hub at Honolulu International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, and also operates a secondary hub out of Kahului Airport on the island of Maui.

Hawaiian has code sharing agreements with American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Korean Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Virgin Blue and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Hawaiian has never had a fatal accident in its entire history and is the oldest US carrier with such a distinction.

Hawaiian Airlines was the number one on-time carrier in the United States from November 2003 until November 2006, when rival Aloha Airlines took the number one spot, pushing Hawaiian to a close second.

Hawaiian announced last August its intent to fly to Manila and was able to get the license in six months. The Manila flight is the first major international expansion since it emerged from bankruptcy protection in June 2005.