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Wednesday, 31st October 2012
In General Japan News,
Hawaiian Airlines opens new direct flight
Hawaiian Airlines is looking to expand further into Asia after it revealed a new non-stop flight operating from Sapporo.
Japan is the largest international market for Hawaii's visitor industry, and the new flight is hoped to cement this relationship. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) the flight will provide an estimated $61 million in visitor expenditures and $6.7 million in tax revenue.
Mike McCarthy, Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO, said: "The more cities we have that expand throughout Asia that come to Hawaii just helps to grow Hawaii's diversity and the global international market."
Last year around 1.2 million visitors flew into Hawaii from Japan spending a combined 2.1 billion dollars once they landed. It is thought that similar levels will be achieved in only half that time this year, with thousands of jobs being created as a result of the interest.
Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines CFO, said: "One of the things we have tried to do is to add service to areas of the market that have been under-served.
"There have always been lots of flights to Tokyo, and even a fair number of flights to Osaka, but Sapporo and Fukuoka are places that hadn't been served for a number of years."
Posted by Graham McPherson
Related news stories:
Hawaiian Airlines to press ahead with Japan plans (4th April 2011)
Airline announces job losses (15th September 2009)
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
