Mainland flight capacity on pace to set new record

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Following a strong summer travel season, Hawai'i is on pace to set a new record of 5.9 million domestic airline seats this year, suggesting a recovery from the effects of Sept. 11, according to an analysis by the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau.

The previous record of 5.69 million domestic seats was set in 2000.

"Obviously it's good news," said Sharon Weiner, a member of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. "Having sufficient number of seats is an excellent sign of recovery for Hawai'i. Capacity is critical and usually capacity follows demand. So it indicates strong demand for Hawai'i, strong demand for the market."

The HVCB's projections are based on Official Airlines Guide flight schedules and underscore Hawai'i's growing reliance on Mainland tourists following the Sept. 11 attacks, which triggered a decline in Japanese visitors.

Although the figures do not measure actual passengers, they do suggest that airlines are directing more traffic to the Islands, said Chris Kam, director of market trends for HVCB.

"Airlines are interested in allocating their aircraft into markets where they can make money," Kam said.

Kam has yet to analyze the number of expected airline seats from Japan. He had previously predicted an 8.6 percent drop from last year, which he had called "a major decrease."

Bonnie Gutner, owner of the Travel Inc. travel agency in Kailua, said travelers clearly want to fly.

"We have ready, willing and able people to fly, but we can't find them seats," she said. "We've literally turned business away because they can't find a decent fare and a seat in both directions."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8085.