Airline asked to mobilize
By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawaiian Airlines is in discussions with the military about flying troops in a buildup for a possible war with Iraq.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
The airline is one of 11 nationwide that the Department of Defense has asked to mobilize.
Hawaiian Airlines is one of 11 U.S. carriers asked by the Defense Department to mobilize in case planes are needed in a war. Hawaiian has designated four planes.
The fleet is made up of commercial and passenger cargo planes used to move people and equipment in emergencies.
The defense department has activated the fleet only once before in the 51-year history of the program, during the Persian Gulf War. Hawaiian flew about 350 missions during that war.
Hawaiian has designated two 767 aircraft and two DC-10 aircraft to the fleet, said spokesman Keoni Wagner. But Wagner said talks were still under way on the timing of the aircraft deployment.
When there are not enough volunteered aircraft for military service, the Defense Department has the authority to call up 78 reserve aircraft, including 47 passenger planes and 31 cargo planes.
Airlines have 24 to 48 hours to provide the aircraft.
Aloha Airlines also is a part of the reserve fleet, but was not called up for this first of three stages of mobilization.
Separately, Hawaiian Airlines has instituted a fuel tax on interisland flights, effective Feb. 4, shortly after competitor Aloha Airlines reinstated a fuel surcharge.
Hawaiian's fuel prices have increased 50 to 60 percent compared with the same period last year, Wagner said.
Advertiser wire services contributed to this report.
Correction: Aloha Airlines is not part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. A previous version of this story contained incorrect information.
