23 March 2010

Can Hawaii make strongest case for US-Japan air route?

US airlines are competing heavily for the potentially lucrative routes to Tokyo.

Competing for four gates or slots at Haneda International Airport near Tokyo are American, United, Delta, Continental and even Hawaiian Airlines.

The later cite's strong cultural and historical ties between Japan and Hawaii.

A Department of Transportation priority is to increase competition, "and we are the only carrier that can offer new competition," Hawaiian President and CEO Mark Dunkerley told Pacific Business News.

"In addition, while the other carriers are focused on providing more seats for US travelers going to Japan, Hawaiian is the only carrier focused on bringing Japanese visitors to the US and all of the economic benefits that flow from that," Dunkerley said.

"It’s no secret that our vision for Hawaiian includes the expansion of our business into Asia," Dunkerley said.

"At stake is a foothold in the world’s fastest-growing airline market. Last year, 647 million passengers flew Asia-Pacific routes, compared with 638 million in North America," says the Business News.

The International Air Transport Association forecasts Asia-Pacific traffic to grow to 868 million by 2013, compared with 734 million in North America.

The Transportation Department is expected to decide in April or May which airlines get the slots.

By David Wilkening