Aloha Airlines milestones
| • | Logistics of airline merger may be difficult, painful |
| • | Making two into one |
| • | Hawaiian Airlines milestones |
Advertiser Staff
Advertiser library photo, 1946
1946
The first plane used by Aloha Airlines, then known as Trans-Pacific, was a war surplus DC-3.
Trans-Pacific Airlines' inaugural flight
1958
Dr. Hung Wo Ching takes over management, changes the carrier's name to Aloha Airlines.
1969
Replaces its fleet with Boeing 737s.
1972
Merger negotiations with Hawaiian Airlines break off.
1976
California-based International Air Service Co. buys an interest in Aloha, announces intent to take control. The bid fails.
1984
Sister carrier Aloha Pacific is formed and starts DC-10 service to Taipei.
Advertiser library photo, circa 1959
1985
Aloha got its current name in 1958. With the change came a new aircraft — the Jetprop F-27.
Taipei service halted. Aloha refocuses on interisland market and diversifies into air cargo service.
1986
Takeover attempt by Dallas-based CNS Partners fails, and Aloha's board decides to take the company private.
1987
Leveraged buyout completed, led by longtime board members Hung Wo Ching and Sheridan Ing.
Parent company switches from Delaware to Hawai'i registration and changes its name to Aloha Airgroup Inc.
1988
Adds two jets and 60 jobs in response to a rise in passenger business and interisland air freight.
1992
Suffers first financial loss since 1985 because of Hurricane 'Iniki.
1993
Enters code-sharing agreement with United Airlines.
Advertiser library photo, circa 1990
1994
Aloha planes underwent a cosmetic change in the 1990s when the tails got the bird of paradise that still graces the aircraft.
Glenn Zander takes over as president and chief executive officer.
1996
Decision to move to a fleet of Boeing 737-200s helps produce a net profit of $3.6 million.
1998
Reduces its number of daily one-way flights from 178 to 168.
2000
Begins service to Oakland, Calif., from Honolulu and Maui.
Loses $4.3 million because of rising fuel costs and aggressive Mainland expansion.
2001
Begins service to Orange County.
Trims interisland flights by 26 percent and lays off about 250 employees in response to a drastic drop in travel following terrorist attacks.
Dec. 19: Announces plans to merge with Hawaiian Airlines
