Hawaiian Airlines Takes Off For New Zealand
Hawaiian Airlines today launched non-stop service to Auckland, the latest addition to its expanding international
network. The first flight landed in Auckland at 6.55pm today.
The arrival of HA445 was followed by gate side festivities that included Hawaiian music and hula, a performance honoring
the Maori culture and a traditional Hawaiian blessing.
“We have been delighted by the interest in our new service, both here at home and in New Zealand,” said Mark Dunkerley,
Hawaiian’s president and CEO. “The deep cultural connections between our islands and the islands of Aotearoa make New
Zealand a natural destination for Hawaiian and for our singular brand of authentic Hawaiian hospitality.”
Among the VIP guests on the inaugural flight were seven crewmembers of the traditional sailing canoe Hokule`a, whose
groundbreaking 1985 voyage from Hawaii to Waitangi reintroduced the practice of celestial navigation to the Maori
culture. The group was led by Hokule`a and Polynesian Voyaging Society captain Nainoa Thompson.
With today’s inaugural, Hawaiian Airlines becomes the only U.S. carrier flying into Auckland. Hawaiian’s market research
indicates that non-stop service will release pent-up demand in New Zealand for a Hawai’i vacation. There are currently
30% fewer arrivals from New Zealand than in 1999 when the two destinations were served by more non-stop flights.
In addition, Hawaiian Airlines' trans-Pacific and interisland route networks allow convenient connections throughout
Hawai’i and in to 11 U.S. gateway destinations.
“Hawai’i is a perfect midpoint destination for the kind of extended vacation that New Zealanders prefer, and we are
ideally situated to offer dual-destination holidays and easy connections from Auckland to places like San Francisco, Las
Vegas or New York City,” commented Dunkerley. “And that works in reverse as well, making it easier than ever for U.S.
residents to enjoy the wonders of New Zealand.”
Auckland Airport General Manager Aeronautical Commercial, Glenn Wedlock, says it’s great to say aloha to Hawaiian
Airlines and welcome them to New Zealand.
“It is fantastic to have such a significant and fast growing US based carrier as Hawaiian Airlines arrive to help
develop and stimulate markets both outbound and inbound to Hawaii and the mainland United States. The demand is
certainly there and with holiday packages to Hawaii now around $1400 and airfare of $1599 to popular destinations such
as Las Vegas or $1799 to New York we are seeing great market response and we forecast traffic doubling on the route.
“In fact due to high demand for their impending service, Hawaiian has already increased the number of their flights from
three to four per week during the peak period, which is outstanding news for travellers. New campaigns have recently
been launched in the US market promoting to US consumers the new flights and we expect to see relatively untapped
inbound markets such as San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas and New York respond to a new and convenient way of visiting New
Zealand.”
Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive Kevin Bowler welcomes Hawaiian Airlines’ arrival and echoes these sentiments,
adding they are working together with the airline to promote travel to New Zealand.
“The United States is a vital market for New Zealand leisure and business travel, and is a key focus for our marketing
efforts given the significant potential for growth that exists. Tourism New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines and Auckland
Airport will be launching a new joint venture marketing campaign on 19 March, set to run for the next month, offering a
competitive fare for travellers from the West Coast of the USA to Auckland. In the coming days we will also be hosting
some of Hawaiian Airlines' key travel trade agents and travel bloggers, giving them an unforgettable 100% Pure New
Zealand experience.”
In celebration of the start of Hawaiian Airlines Auckland service, iconic tourist landmark the Auckland Sky Tower will
be lit in Hawaiian Airlines colours for three nights.
Hawaiian Airlines is operating three flights a week between Honolulu and Auckland using a 294-seat A330-200 aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines’ Flight HA 445 will depart Honolulu International Airport at 1:45pm every Monday, Wednesday and
Friday, cross the international dateline, and land at Auckland Airport at 9:55pm the following day. Flight HA 446 will
depart Auckland at 11:55pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, cross the international dateline, and arrive in
Honolulu at 9:45am the same day.
Travellers on Hawaiian Airlines enjoy an inflight experience not offered by any other airline. From the moment they
board, Hawaiian’s signature ‘Mea Ho‘okipa’ (translation: I am host) onboard hospitality engages them throughout the flight with its warm and friendly celebration
of the culture, people, and Aloha Spirit of the Hawaiian Islands.
The comfort, roominess and amenities of Hawaiian’s new A330 aircraft will add to the enjoyment of customers’ travel
experience on the new route. With high-resolution LCD touch-screen monitors in each seatback, the A330’s
state-of-the-art entertainment system lets customers choose from a wide range of movies, TV programmes, music, and video
games, while also offering a USB port for the use of their own personal media players. Customers sitting in Business
Class will also enjoy iPod compatibility.
As a full service leisure carrier, Hawaiian provides all of its passengers between New Zealand and Hawaii with
complimentary meals, drinks and blankets, as well as selected in-seat video entertainment on its A330 aircraft.
For more information or to make a booking please visit www.hawaiianairlines.co.nz, call reservations on 09 977 2227 or contact your favourite travel agent.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past nine years (2004-2012) as reported by the
U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian the highest of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.
Now in its 84th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i’s biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the
largest provider of passenger air service from its primary visitor markets on the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian offers nonstop
service to Hawai‘i from more U.S. gateway cities (11) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South
Korea, the Philippines, Australia, American Samoa, and Tahiti. New nonstop service begins this year between Honolulu and
Auckland, New Zealand on March 13; Sendai, Japan on June 25; and Taipei, Taiwan on July 9. Hawaiian also provides
approximately 160 daily jet flights between the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at
HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow updates on Twitter about Hawaiian (@HawaiianAir) and its special fare offers
(@HawaiianFares), and become a fan on its Facebook page (Hawaiian Airlines).
ENDS