Just last week, the carrier reduced its workforce by nearly 2,500 employees to offset COVID-19’s impacts on the airline. Hawaiian Airlines received a CARES Act lifeline worth up to $420 million from the U.S. Treasury earlier in late September. However, it wasn’t enough for the carrier to avoid cuts to its workforce on Oct. 1.
Hawaiian sought to preserve an air link to Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i. But low travel demand caused by COVID-19 and Hawaii’s travel restrictions triggered a labor provision in Hawaiian’s pilot contract affecting the carrier’s ability to provide ‘Ohana by Hawaiian service. The provision, which is common in the U.S. airline industry, prevents Hawaiian from offering ‘Ohana by Hawaiian flights when inter-island Boeing 717 and Airbus A321neo jet flights operated by Hawaiian’s pilots are severely reduced.
Hawaiian said it is now contacting customers affected by the service suspension. Cargo customers will be offered refunds or given the option to have their cargo transported between the islands with Hawaiian’s 717 and A321neo aircraft.
