Hawaiian Airlines planong lumipad sa Maynila simula Marso 2008

Hinihintay na lamang ng Hawaiian Airlines ang pasya ng US Department of Transportation para palawigin ang kanilang operasyon sa Asya – at kung papayagan ay sisimulan nila ang paglipad mula Honolulu patungo sa Maynila sa Marso 2008. ''This is exciting news for travelers, our community and our company,'' ayon sa pahayag ni Mark Dunkerley, president at CEO ng Hawaiian Airlines. Naniniwala si Dunkerley na magdudulot ng magandang oportunidad sa kanilang kumpanya at sa Pilipinas ang kanilang plano dahil na rin sa malaking populasyon sa Maynila at lumalagong negosyo rito. 'We see tremendous opportunity to increase travel on this route in light of the deep historical and cultural ties Hawaii has to the Philippines, Manila's large population of over 10 million people, its growing international business sector and substantial middle class with the inclination and means to travel,'' sabi niya. Pinuri ni Gov. Linda Lingle ang expansion program ng airline company. ''Hawaiian's flights will increase business, cultural and educational opportunities for Hawaii, provide additional international travel options and help bring our communities even closer together,'' pahayag ni Lingle. Plano ng Hawaiian airline na simulan sa apat o mahigit pa ang pagbiyahe bawat linggo sa Maynila. Sa pagsusuri ng paliparan, tinatayang 170,000 pasahero ang bumibiyahe sa Maynila at Hawaii sa mga nagdaang taon. Gagamitin umano ng airlines sa kanilang bagong ruta ang Boeing 767-300ER aircraft na may seating capacity na 264 pasahero. ''Hawaiian has grown in 2007 faster than any other airline in the U.S.,'' ani Dunkerley. ''We serve more mainland destinations on a nonstop basis than any other airline, and we're thrilled to be expanding our international operations into Asia with new nonstop service to Manila.'' - ulat mula sa AP