3 more charter flights set up for stranded passengers
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority has arranged for three more chartered flights to help travelers stranded by the sudden closing of ATA and Aloha airlines last week.
The state's tourism agency, working with Panda Travel and Hawaiian Airlines, has taken the unusual step of coordinating and subsidizing additional flights for "thousands" of displaced ATA and Aloha ticket holders.
Rex Johnson, president and CEO of the agency, said officials "have been working diligently to assist as many passengers, including local residents still on the Mainland, who have not been able to find an available seat."
The flights announced today have been arranged on Primaris Air, out of Oakland, Calif., with the help of Panda Travel. Earlier flights were added by Hawaiian Airlines, including one that leaves today and another on Wednesday.
On Friday, the state agency approved tapping a $5 million emergency fund to help subsidize travelers get back home from or to Hawai'i. The money will be used to subsidize the flights but the amount is varying according to the arrangements being made, Johnson said.
Last week, he said airlines records indicated about 9,000 passengers were trying to leave Hawai'i and another 1,300 on the Mainland trying to get back.
For the first Hawaiian flights, the one-way tickets cost passengers $200 and the state made up the other $112. He said the detailed cost breakdown for the newest flights was still being worked on today and was not yet available.
"We are grateful to both Hawaiian Airlines and to Jack and Daisy Tsui of Panda Travel for coming forward and working with us," Johnson said.
He said officials are working to determine how many people are still stranded here on on the Mainland.
The new flights are:
Passengers will need to show an ATA or Aloha Airlines ticket, record locator number and ticket number upon check-in at Hawaiian Airlines ticket counter. One-way tickets on these flights will cost $300 for coach) and $400 for business class.
Johnson said Primaris Air usually carries sports teams on its charters.
Reservations for these special flights must be made through Panda Travel today.
Panda Travel will require the following information from ATA and Aloha ticket holders to make reservations for these special flights:
Passengers will be required to fill out a tour participant agreement that will be available online through Panda Travel or upon check-in at Hawaiian Airlines ticket counters.
Johnson also thanked the state Legislature, the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau, the state tourism liaison, the Hawai'i Hotel and Lodging Association and the "visitor industry as a whole for all of their assistance and continued support during this difficult time."
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
