Aloha Plans to Stop Passenger Service

Written by Lisa Kubota - lkubota@kgmb9.com

March 30, 2008 06:42 PM

Aloha Airlines officials announced the company will stop all passenger service after 61 years in Hawaii. The shutdown affects about 1,900 employees who will lose their jobs. Monday will be the last day of passenger operations for interisland flights. Aloha's air cargo and aviation services will still operate. "This is an incredibly dark day for Hawaii. Despite the groundswell of support from the community and our elected officials, we simply ran out of time to find a qualified buyer or secure continued financing for our passenger business. We had no choice but to take this action," said Aloha's president and CEO David Banmiller. "It's kind of shocking to hear what's happening. I never dreamed that this would happen," said Aloha passenger Joyce Tihada. "I thought they would still be looking for a buyer. I didn't think it was so final," said Aloha passenger Judy Honda. There were reports of flight attendants walking off the job but those KGMB9 interviewed remained committed to their final flights. "We're going to check in for our flight going to Reno. We're going to take care of our passengers as we usually do," said flight attendant Alan Nakata. "We've been crying all morning but you know what? This is a positive flight. We went to flight attendant school together seven years ago and we're taking this flight together as a family," said flight attendant Monica Kalahui. Aloha dispatcher Kamuela Clemente is trying not think about the bills that will be piling up. "What am I gonna do? Do what I have to do and collect unemployment," he said. "I know there's gonna come a time where I have to face those issues, but yeah, how am I gonna feed my family now?" The airline blames unfair competition from go! Airlines which offered deeply discounted ticket prices after entering the market in June 2006. "That was the beginning, probably, of the end for us. We weren't able to match the low prices that they have, and in the meantime, fuel prices have gone up," said Clemente. Even with the announcement some are still hoping to save the airline from being grounded. "We'll do anything we can," said Aloha pilot Randall Cummings. "We've been discussing maybe even working for free for a month. We're doing whatever we can. We can come back." "I never thought this day would come. It's the furthest thing from your mind, actually closing down, especially after 61 years of service," said Clemente. Employees are still planning to hold a rally on Monday afternoon before Aloha's bankruptcy hearing.

Last Updated ( March 30, 2008 06:42 PM )