Hawaii’s Mokulele Airlines appeals for state support

Mokulele Airlines (MHO, Kona) has appealed for state support to stem USD350,000 monthly losses due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, reports Maui News. Wholly owned by Southern Airways Express (9X, Memphis Int’l), the Hawaiian inter-island commuter airline is asking for state help either through subsidies, airport fee credits, or the lifting of an inter-island 14-day quarantine and pre-travel testing requirements, which, it says, are limiting air travel. Appearing before a recent state Senate Transportation Committee virtual meeting, Mokulele Airlines Chief of Staff Keith Sisson asked for a change in inter-island travel policies; or a temporary state subsidy to cover losses while pre-travel testing and quarantine rules remain in place; or that the state issues credits for future Department of Transportation (DoT) airport payments to relieve Mokulele’s USD50,000 monthly rent and landing fees and provide cash-flow relief. Mokulele Airlines is the sole provider of flights to Hana and Kapalua in Maui County, and Waimea in Hawaii County. The carrier is currently seeking landing rights at Hanalei/Princeville on Kauai. Other destinations served include Kahului, Molokai, Lanai City, Kona, Honolulu, and Kalaupapa. According to the company’s website, Mokulele Airlines operates a fleet of eleven Cessna (single turboprop) 208EX Grand Caravans. Sisson told the committee that parent Southern Airways Express has been filling in the deficit in the Hawaii operations since August 2020, but “we are running out of the ability to do that.” With Southern Airways Express’ support, the carrier had managed to hold the line on ticket prices. It had kept all its workers employed, though with reduced hours, and had maintained flights to all destinations with schedule adjustments. Sisson said Hawaii’s 14-day quarantine and pre-travel testing programme were confusing travellers as each county has its own rules for inter-island travel. Maui and Kauai counties require a pre-travel test to avoid quarantine, while Hawaii island requires an additional post-travel test; and Honolulu does not require a test at all. “People are confused, they are not booking,” he said. While quarantine requirements between islands in Maui County were lifted on October 15, travel restrictions were still in place for Lanai City until November 11, 2020.