Alaska Airlines said it will launch daily service between Seattle and Kona Nov. 17.

The airline also announced it is expanding its seasonal service between Anchorage and Maui from twice to three times weekly from Oct. 31 to April 25, 2009. All flights will be available for purchase starting Thursday.

In addition, Alaska Airlines said it will offer year-round twice-daily flights between Seattle and Minneapolis starting Oct. 26.

The new routes "are part of a broader effort to trim capacity from underperforming markets and redeploy it in places where customer demand is high," said Andrew Harrison, managing director of planning for Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

To inaugurate its new service, Alaska Airlines is offering introductory one-way fares of $229 between Seattle and Kona. Customers must purchase their tickets by June 5, and travel by Feb. 12, 2009. Additional restrictions and blackout dates apply.

Seattle-Kona flights will depart at 8:40 a.m. Pacific time and arrive at 1 p.m. Hawai'i time. Return flights will depart at 2 p.m. Hawai'i time and arrive at 9:40 p.m. Pacific time.

Alaska Airlines will operate the new flights with Boeing 737-800s, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin.