After 37 Years, Island Air Ceases Operations Friday
2017 has been a mixed year for airline profitability. The top 5 US carriers are racking up $5 billion in profits per quarter. Meanwhile, other airlines are shutting down. Already in 2017, we have seen the end of Monarch and Air Berlin while Alitalia entered bankruptcy yet again.
Now we have news of the death of another airline: Island Air. The United partner and American Airlines interline partner operated around 450 flights per week between the Hawaiian islands. Hailed as Hawaii's second-oldest airline, it originally launched in 1980 as Princeville Airways before being renamed Island Air in 1995.
The airline will cease operations at the close of business Friday, November 10. But, if you hold an Island Air ticket for a flight after that, you have options.
First, in an honorable way of gaining loyalty, previous competitor Hawaiian Airlines is honoring all Island Air tickets from November 11 to 17:
Starting Nov. 11 through 17, Island Air guests holding a confirmed reservation to/from/via Honolulu, Oʻahu (HNL); Kahului, Maui (OGG); Kona, Hawai'i Island (KOA); and Līhu'e, Kaua'i (LIH) can standby for Coach Class seating on Hawaiian's regularly scheduled flights between the same origin and destination cities on the ticketed day of departure.
For those who want a confirmed reservation, Hawaiian Airlines is offering a special $71 (taxes included) price for Island Air ticket holders for flights November 11-17.
United is offering assistance for those with ticketed revenue or award tickets through United for flights operated by Island Air:
If you have a ticket for a flight operated by Island Air after [November 10], please contact 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) or your local United Customer Contact Center so we can help rebook your travel or provide a refund.
United MileagePlus program is also honoring mileage claims for Island Air flights "up to 12 months after the date of their flight."
If none of those help, Island Air directs passengers as follows: "For inquiries on refunds, please contact your credit card company."
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