Hawaiian Rolls Out Daily Osaka Flights

Hawaiian Airlines announced that it began service to a new destination in Asia with the inauguration of daily service between Honolulu and Osaka, Japan.

According to a release, to celebrate the launch of its new route, Hawaiian treated the inaugural flight passengers to performances of Hawaiian music, hula and a Japanese cultural dance honoring Osaka's beauty. Passengers also received fresh flower lei and participated in a traditional Hawaiian blessing before boarding the aircraft.

"Demand for our services in Japan has returned to pre-tsunami levels, and we are grateful for the enthusiastic response we are receiving from the people of Osaka. This new daily service reflects our confidence in the Japan market and in the important Kansai region in particular," said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO.

Hawaiian's daily, nonstop service from Osaka adds approximately 100,000 new air seats annually to Hawaii from Japan, the state's second-largest market for visitors, and continues an expansion into Asia that is helping to boost Hawaii's visitor industry and economy. Hawaiian introduced service to Tokyo's Haneda Airport in November 2010 and Seoul's Incheon International Airport in January 2011.

"Congratulations to Hawaiian Airlines on its launch of direct service between Honolulu and Osaka's Kansai International Airport," said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA). "The new direct flight from Western Japan follows two other milestone flights into the Asia market for Hawaiian Airlines, from Honolulu to Haneda, Japan and Incheon, South Korea.

"The HTA estimates the Osaka route will generate up to $120 million in visitor spending and $18 million in tax revenue annually. Together, all three routes will provide up to $350 million in visitor spending and $38 million in tax revenue annually for Hawaii's tourism economy," said McCartney.

Hawaiian noted that its new service to Osaka offers travelers in the region an authentic Hawaii travel experience. Its "Hawaii Starts Here" inflight service program showcases Hawaii's culture, people and tradition of hospitality. At the same time, it also offers new pan-Asian cuisine, Japanese entertainment options, and onboard products designed for the enjoyment of Japanese travelers.

Hawaiian's Flight #449 will depart Honolulu International Airport daily at 2:20 p.m. and arrive at Kansai International Airport at 6 p.m. the next day. Return Flight #450 will depart Osaka daily at 9:30 p.m. and arrive in Honolulu at 10:50 a.m. the same day. (Osaka is 19 hours ahead of Honolulu and the flight crosses the International Dateline.)

More Information:

HawaiianAirlines.com

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