Aloha Airlines Shuts Down Passenger Operations
Aloha Airlines announced today that it will be shutting down its inter-island and transpacific passenger flight operations. Aloha’s last day of operations will be Monday, March 31, 2008. On that day, Aloha will operate its schedule with the exception of flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and flights from Orange County to Reno and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas. Code-share partner United Airlines and other airlines are prepared to assist and accommodate Aloha’s passengers who have been inconvenienced.The airline, which had just emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2006, filed again for bankruptcy protection last week. On March 21 Aloha announced the bankruptcy court permitted them to continue operations. However no new investors were found for the passenger business and the Airline was forced to cease operation.
Seattle based Saltchuk Resources on Thursday offered to buy Aloha’s cargo operations for an undisclosed amount, but said it wasn’t interested in taking over Aloha’s passenger business.
Aloha has suffered since Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group Inc. launched a new interisland carrier called go! airlines in 2006, triggering a local airfare war.
Gov. Linda Lingle said she will ask a bankruptcy judge not to allow the airline to shut down until she is satisfied the airline “exhausted all possible avenues for continuing its operations.”
Link to Aloha Airlines shutdown FAQ
Hawaiian Airlines Assistance for Aloha Airlines Ticket Holders