Aloha cuts ticket prices

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Aloha Airlines reduced Mainland and transpacific air fares immediately and cut its lowest, one-way, interisland rate by $10 for flights in the fall.

The new prices are designed to keep passengers flying though the notoriously slow fall travel season, said Aloha spokeswoman Stephanie Ackerman.

"Fall is always slower than summer," Ackerman said. "For the summer, we're doing great. You probably couldn't find too many seats in this month. But as you go into the fall there will be more seats available at these sale prices."

Passengers can buy tickets at the new rates until July 22. But tickets for Aloha's $59 one-way rate for interisland travel are good only from Aug. 18 to Nov. 16. Transpacific and Mainland travel can occur from now until Nov. 16.

In some cases, Aloha cut Mainland fares by more than $100. A one-way ticket from Maui to Las Vegas, for instance, dropped from $356.70 to $239 yesterday.

The new prices require roundtrip travel and do not include various taxes. All tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines typically match each other in fare changes. Hawaiian spokesman Keoni Wagner said yesterday that Hawaiian is still evaluating the offer.

"Aloha and Hawaiian historically are very, very close (in pricing) for obvious competitive reasons," he said.

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