HA to Create LCC InterIsland Airline: Ohana.

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When ‘Ohana by Hawaiian begins operations, flightshttp://startsavin-a.akamaihd.net/ite...rrow-10x10.png will be operated out of gates 49 and 50 at HNL by contractor Empire Airlines.
The airline’s parent company, Hawaiian Holdings Inc., had already purchased two 48-seat ATR 42 twin turbo-prop airplanes. A design and brand identity had already been selected and it appeared that Hawaiian was ready to compete with Island Air, Mokulele and Makani Kai Air, the three interisland operators currently flying to MKK.
But then the process got stalled for a while, said Ann Botticelli, Hawaiian’s senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs.
According to Botticelli, the resources available to the Federal Aviation Administration were constrained as a result of the sequestration of the federal government. These delays in FAA oversight halted much of the preparation work being done by Empire Airlines, the Idaho-based airline that will be operating the flightshttp://startsavin-a.akamaihd.net/ite...rrow-10x10.png.

Some of the preparation by Empire included hiring pilots, flight attendants and mechanics for the new airline. A total of 100 new Hawaii-based jobs will be created with the start of this new service, according to Hawaiian Airlines, including ground-handling and customer service positions on MKK and LNY.