Hawaiian Airlines to compete Air China on Beijing-Honolulu route

The competition on Beijing-Honolulu route is going to be more vigorous than before. Hawaiian Airlines won’t be the only carrier to offer nonstop flights between Honolulu and Beijing from next year. The airline is now bracing for tough times ahead.

Media reports recently said that Hawaiian Airlines will be into competition with Air China on Beijing-Honolulu route. Hawaii has so far been getting huge number of passengers from the U.S. west coast and Japan. However, China also holds greatest opportunities for growth here.

Air China has recently indicated that it is all set to begin thrice weekly flights between Honolulu and Beijing starting from January 21, 2014. The flights on this route are being introduced as part of the airline’s winter schedule. Air China currently has no other routes to Hawaii.

Hawaiian Airlines is scheduled to begin flights on Honolulu-Beijing route in April next year. The airline will also be offering thrice weekly flights similar to those being offered by Air China. However, Air China is clearly ahead in this race and is going to beat by three months the April debut of Hawaiian Airlines on this route.

Another Chinese carrier China Eastern Airlines would be joining in the competition with Hawaiian Airlines and Air China to offer flights between Honolulu and Shanghai. China Eastern Airlines is currently offering thrice weekly service between Honolulu and Shanghai and is planning to increase its frequency on the route to five times every week in December this year.