HA to keep expanding in Australia
Hawaiian Airlines will wait until 2014 before exploring the prospect of adding capacity between Brisbane and Honolulu despite a “terrific” first few months for the service.
Loads have hovered in the mid 80s since the three weekly flights launched last November, with encouraging yields, executive vice president and chief commercial officer Peter Ingram said.
“Overall we are really pleased with how the route is performing,” Ingram told Travel Today on a trip to Australia. “Brisbane has been a terrific start-up and we are really pleased with how it’s going.”
HA has made no secret of its intention to ramp up frequencies from Brisbane over time. It already operated 18 additional services between March and May.
But with the carrier’s 2013 fleet deployment already allocated, HA will have to wait until next year before examining any permanent increase in frequencies or upgauging from the current 264-seat B767 aircraft to a 294-seat A330.
“It is our long term aspiration to follow a similar path in Brisbane to what we have done in Sydney which is get the frequency to daily and on a bigger aircraft," Ingram said. "And we’ll do that as the market supports it and as our fleet availability supports it. It is something we’ll look at next year.”
HA is in the process of modernising its fleet, Ingram said, with its 767-300s being replaced with Airbus A330-200s, of which it currently has 13.
By the end of this year it will have more A330s than 767s and by the end of 2015 HA will operate 22 A330s and a maximum of eight of the smaller Boeing aircraft.
"We didn't take delivery of our first A330 until 2010 so we've been growing that fleet rapidly," he said.
The carrier will also continue to monitor further growth opportunities in Sydney, while Melbourne, in time, could become HA’s third Australian port, Ingram said.
“It is absolutely on the radar but we are always maintaining a long list of markets we are looking at and where there could be growth opportunities,” he said. “I’d love to have Melbourne. It’s on the list but not necessarily imminent.”
Sydney, meanwhile, has been able to sustain a “steady diet of increased” capacity increases over the past two and a half years with daily services and the larger A330 now operating on the route.
The market has now stabilised, Ingram said, with HA’s new Brisbane route and Jetstar services from Melbourne to Hawaii taking some of the business that had previously travelled through Sydney.
“But I don’t think we’ve seen the end of the growth,” he said. “We’d like to get to a point where we could increase frequency even further.”
Ingram declined to comment on the profitability of individual routes, only saying he was “really pleased with our Australian business”.
The carrier also reiterated its desire to deepen its relationship with Virgin Australia. The airlines codeshare between Sydney and Honolulu and interline on domestic Australian routes. The prospect remains of extending the codeshare agreement to Brisbane-Hawaii.
Ingram refused to be drawn on specific details but said talks are continuing “about a variety of things.”
“We enjoy the relationship we have with Virgin Australia and we would like to develop that further to our mutual benefit,” he said.
Meanwhile, the airline said it has yet to see a downturn in sales as a result of the weakening Australian dollar.
The airline has been “curious” to see if it would impact consumer’s holiday decisions but, so far, there has been “no evidence” of waning interest in Hawaii.
“One of things I have sensed in Australia is that the average Australian does not think they have got a devalued currency,” Ingram said.
At around 90c to the US dollar, the exchange rate is still historically high, he added.
HA will also continue to press home the benefits of entering the US mainland via Hawaii. Honolulu offers a less congested customs and border entry point than the “choke point” of Los Angeles, Ingram argued, with onward connections to 11 US destinations, including New York.
While close to 90% of HA’s passengers are travelling to Hawaii or a neighbouring island, supplementing that with additional revenue generated by through traffic to the US mainland remains crucial, Ingram said.
“This is a very competitive business. We make our profits on the margins, as all airlines do,” he said.
See tomorrow's Travel Today for part two of our exclusive interview with Peter Ingram.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airlines aviation ha hawaiian airlines peter ingramLatest News
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]