Statement Regarding Aloha Airlines Attributable to Rex Johnson, President, Hawaii Tourism Authority

HONOLULU, Mar. 31 /PRNewswire/ --

HONOLULU, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is saddened to learn that Aloha Airlines will shut down its interisland and transpacific passenger operations after Monday, March 31, 2008. Aloha Airlines and its generations of employees have had a long and noble history of serving Hawaii's residents and visitors, and its many contributions to our community will be missed. Our hearts go out to the company's employees and their family members who are affected by the closure.

According to Aloha's announcement, on March 31, 2008, Aloha will operate its schedule with the exception of flights from Hawaii to the West Coast and flights from Orange County to Reno and Sacramento, and Oakland to Las Vegas. Aloha's code-share partner United Airlines and other airlines are prepared to assist and accommodate passengers who have been inconvenienced. Aloha also announced that its air cargo and aviation services units will continue to operate as usual while the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeks bids from potential buyers.

Given concerns over the potential of Aloha's closing following its March 20 bankruptcy filing, the State Legislature, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), Governor's Tourism Liaison, HTA and the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association (HHLA), have been coordinating with airlines and hotels who have been hard at work on contingency plans to minimize the impact of the shut down on visitors and residents.

Hawaii's primary interisland carriers have informed HTA that they are ready to increase their capacity to compensate for the loss of seats resulting from Aloha's closure. This will be achieved by expanded daily schedules and the addition of aircraft. It is anticipated that transpacific carriers serving Aloha's regional markets on the U.S. mainland will be able to absorb the void left by Aloha.

Aloha Airlines' ticket holders with departures after March 31, can check HVCB's Web site http://www.gohawaii.com/alohaairlines for information on how to contact other airlines serving Aloha's markets. It is recommended that passengers get in touch with these airlines to determine seat availability and booking instructions before going to the airport. Aloha Airlines updates are also linked to HTA's Web site and all of HVCB's island chapters' Web sites (Oahu Visitors Bureau, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Maui Visitors Bureau, and Big Island Visitors Bureau).

Various hotels statewide are offering special considerations to stranded passengers for extended or emergency accommodations. Visitors should confirm with individual hotels what assistance is available.

Over the next few days, there will no doubt be travel inconveniences caused by Aloha's departure. However, for the long term, we anticipate that there will be minimal disruption to Hawaii's interisland and transpacific air service. Hawaii residents and visitors should be able to continue interisland and domestic travel with only minor adjustments to their plans.

This is a very difficult time for Aloha Airlines, its employees, and our state. HTA is committed to working with all stakeholders and involved parties and to provide assistance, when possible, as the situation continues to develop.

Neighbor Island Web Sites: Kauai Visitors Bureau: http://www.kauaidiscovery.com Maui Visitors Bureau: http://www.visitmaui.com Oahu Visitors Bureau: http://www.visit-oahu.com Big Island Visitors Bureau: http://www.bigisland.org