TGI STAFF The company that is overseeing the merger of Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines announced a plan Tuesday for guaranteeing Hawai’i residents limited amounts of seating on interisland flights. TurnWorks Inc. said that after merging, the airlines would dedicate
TGI STAFF
The company that is overseeing the merger of Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines announced a plan Tuesday for guaranteeing Hawai’i residents limited amounts of seating on interisland flights.
TurnWorks Inc. said that after merging, the airlines would dedicate 10 percent of its one-way interisland seats at $55 or less and an additional 20 percent at $60 or less for residents of the state. The rates would be guaranteed for the first five years following the merger.
In addition, the maximum one-way interisland coach fare for residents and visitors would be capped, not to exceed $76 for the first two years following the merger, TurnWorks said.
Greg Brenneman, chairman of TurnWorks, said “special deals” below $55 would be available to Hawai’i residents during off-peak hours.
All passenger coupons sold before the merger and existing cargo contracts would be honored.
The fare information is the first with specific prices since the proposed merger was announced last month.
Meanwhile, Brenneman talked Monday with employees of Aloha and Hawaiian in a meeting one employee described as “upbeat.”
Aloha spokesman Stu Glauberman said Brenneman, who will be president of the merged airline, also met Saturday with Kaua’i and Kona-based employees, Monday with Hilo workers and earlier with employees in Honolulu.
Glauberman said Brenneman will hold more meetings with employees in Honolulu today.
A group of about 100 Hawaiian employees is opposing the merger, which is subject to federal and state regulatory approval but is tentatively scheduled to be complete the first half of this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
