Hawaiian Air employees share in profits

HONOLULU — Hawaiian Airlines on Wednesday rewarded its more than 6,700 employees with $23.8 million in profit sharing — the company’s largest annual payment in its history — in celebration of a record-setting operational and financial year.

The employees also received bonuses based on the achievement of a range of business, consumer and community objectives. Combined, the profit sharing and bonus payments amounted to more than 5 percent of employees’ 2017 wages.

“Our profit sharing program recognizes that our team members across the company drive our success,” said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram. “We’ve been expanding for several years now, but 2017 truly was a remarkable year.

“We continued to grow our fleet and network, opened a state-of-the-art cargo and maintenance hangar, and enhanced our product and the travel experience with more lie-flat seating, new meals and uniforms. We introduced our warm Hawaiian culture and islands to a record 11.5 million guests and maintained our position as the most punctual U.S. carrier. All of this is due to the exceptional teamwork and dedication of our colleagues,” Ingram said.

In a year packed with accomplishments, the airline and its employees:

• Welcomed the Airbus A321neo aircraft to its fleet, and took deliveries of its 24th Airbus A330 and first ATR-72 all-cargo aircraft.

• Announced plans for a comprehensive partnership with Japan Airlines.

• Introduced new uniforms for over 5,000 front-line employees, and unveiled a refreshed brand and aircraft livery.

• Resumed flights between Honolulu and Maui’s Kapalua Airport, and inaugurated daily non-stop service between Lihue and Kona.

• Added 954 employees to its ohana.

Since its inception in 2009, Hawaiian’s profit-sharing program has distributed a total of $81.5 million.