Hawaiian Airlines to apply to DOT to fly Tokyo-Kona route

Hawaiian Airlines announced its plans to launch service between Tokyo Haneda and Kona in Hawaii. The airline is set to file an application to operate direct service between the Japanese capital and Kona International Airport. The airline is in the process of filing its application with the United States Department of Transportation.

The airline that offers airline tickets to millions of leisure travelers to the exotic locale of Hawaii is interested to fill the slot in Tokyo, which is soon to be vacated by American Airlines. It plans to use the services of Airbus A330 aircraft that comprises 294 seats. The airline has been offering connections between Japan and the island of Hawaii from November 2010. It first launched operations between Haneda and Honolulu on the route. It soon expanded its network across Japan by offering flights from Honolulu to cities like Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Sendai. At present, the airline offers 6,700 seats per week between Japan and the Hawaiian Islands.

There is no direct service to Kona from any of the Japanese cities. Earlier Japan Airlines offered nonstop service between Narita International Airport and West Hawaii but discontinued it on October 29, 2010. Hawaii is a popular tourist destination for visitors from all parts of the world. Millions of travelers flock to the city from Japan each year.