Visitors to Hawaii double in two years

Visitors to Hawaii double in two years since Hawaiian Airlines’ entry into Auckland

Added capacity from Hawaii’s largest carrier makes its islands and mainland USA even more accessible to New Zealanders

AUCKLAND – Hawaiian Airlines today celebrates its two year anniversary in the New Zealand market, providing Kiwis with three-times weekly direct service to Honolulu and onward connections to 11 mainland US destinations.

Lured by the promise of sun, surf and sand, 63,000[1] New Zealanders touched down in Honolulu in 2014. This is an increase of 26 per cent on the 50,000 New Zealanders who travelled to Hawai’i in 2013 and an increase of more than 150 per cent since the carrier launched the Auckland to Honolulu route two years ago.

Hawaiian Airlines currently operates three-times a week from Auckland to Honolulu, connecting to New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, San Diego, Phoenix, Seattle and Portland without the need for travellers to change carriers. The airline’s connections to mainland USA has also contributed to a 24 per cent increase in visitors to New Zealand from North America since the end of 2012.
Gai Tyrrell, Hawaiian Airlines Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand, says the carrier’s entry into New Zealand has provided leisure and business travellers more options for getting to the US and has been thrilled with the growth in passenger numbers.

“As we celebrate Hawaiian Airlines’ two year milestone of our Auckland route, we’re delighted that more than twice as many New Zealanders are visiting the Hawaiian Islands. Hawai’i has something for everyone; great weather, beautiful scenery, Polynesian culture and excellent resorts. Combined with the improved accessibility we’ve provided, Kiwis are responding well to what’s on offer,” says Tyrrell.

“Beyond Hawai’i, we’re carrying more New Zealand holiday-makers and business travellers through to our 11 mainland US destinations. Hawaiian Airlines’ generous baggage allowance, convenient connections and the allure of a stop-over in the Aloha State seem to be a big draw card. The introduction of our Extra Comfort economy seating has also proven popular with New Zealand travellers looking for a cost-effective to upgrade their journey, and has exceeded our expectations.”

Darragh Walshe, Country Manager New Zealand of Hawaii Tourism Oceania, says Hawaiian Airlines has invigorated the New Zealand market and has made Hawai’i, for Kiwis, a viable regular holiday destination.

“Hawaiian Airlines has definitely stimulated interest in Hawai’i and that has translated into increased tourist numbers in the past two years. It’s also making Kiwis more aware of Hawai’i’s neighbour islands and spurring people to venture beyond O’ahu,” says Walshe.

New Zealanders can connect to six neighbour island destinations with Hawaiian Airlines including Maui, Kauai, Moloka’i, Lanai’i and both Kona and Hilo on Hawai’i Island.

ENDS

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