She loved everything about her first visit to the Islands, including the service she received on Aloha Airlines yesterday.

"People were so warm and friendly," said the 38-year-old biotech scientist from Santa Clara, Calif. "I'm coming back again. And I'd fly Aloha again."

Aloha Airlines hopes its passengers continue to feel this way as it reorganizes its finances under Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection. The airline sought the protection yesterday, citing rising fuel costs and high operating expenses.

The Sept. 11 attacks, which sent the airline industry plummeting nationwide, also affected the state's largest provider of interisland air services. The prolonged slump in visitor arrivals from Asia and the increase in Mainland flights going directly to the Neighbor Islands had a compounding economic impact on Aloha.

But the carrier emphasized yesterday that the filing wouldn't affect its service, calling it the airline's top priority as it begins the first reorganization in its 58-year history.

Travelers shouldn't notice any difference in service or flights. Aloha will continue to operate all its scheduled flights and air-freight cargo service. Tickets and coupons will still be honored. The AlohaPass frequent flier program will not be affected. Refund and ticketing policies will remain the same.

News of Aloha's filing didn't seem to concern Aloha's passengers at Honolulu International Airport yesterday, most of whom hadn't heard about the carrier's financial problems.

"I don't think it'll affect service," said Joey Itagaki, 21, of Moanalua, who had just gotten off an Aloha flight from Kona. "But if it goes under, then it'll affect (interisland) service overall."

He said his family flies Aloha regularly. Since his stepdad works at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo, his parents fly interisland at least once a month.

His only concern is for the employees. His mom used to work for the airline in its accounting department.

"I know she still has friends working there," he said.

His girlfriend, Randene Ako, hadn't heard about Aloha's Chapter 11 filing. And she didn't think it really mattered to travelers.

"I'll still fly Aloha," said the 19-year-old student at Leeward Community College.

Parab said the main concern she had about Aloha's filing was for the employees who may be affected by the carrier's financial troubles and what it says about the economy.

"And as a consumer, I worry," she said, "because in a way it's about economic conditions overall."

Travelers yesterday seemed more concerned about any changes to the carrier's service, flight schedule and ticket prices — more important factors in choosing an airline, they said.

On her fifth vacation to Hawai'i, Susan Nottingham said she doesn't think the filing will make much of a difference in her decision to choose an interisland carrier. She arrived on an 18-minute flight from Kahului yesterday with no complaints, other than the noisy cabin.

"I'd fly (on Aloha) again," said the housewife from Cincinnati, waiting in the baggage claim with her three children. "As long as the price is right.