Problem is, fuel prices and economic angst regularly disrupt that flow. Consider 2008, a very, very bad year for Honolulu International Airport. On March 31, iconic Aloha Airlines stopped passenger service, cutting a considerable slice of lift to the mainland — as well as interisland. Three days later, low-fare ATA went under, further slashing mainland seats. Now comes word that US Airways is ending its ambitious East Coast Boeing 767 nonstop from Charlotte this September 7th.
Ouch!
But ... after a precipitous plunge in both visitorship and airline seats, things seem to be leveling out. Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism reports arrivals by air were up 2.9 percent during the third quarter of 2009. Consider: for all of ‘09, arrivals dropped 4.4 percent; 10.4 percent in 2008.
Further fueling feelings that things are about to get better is the planned acquisition by Allegiant Travel Company (the parent of low-fare Allegiant Air) of a half-dozen Boeing 757-200s, this to launch nonstop service over the next two years from select small cities on the mainland to Hawaii. More proximately, Continental just began Orange County, California — HNL flights, and Alaska Airlines says it will start plying the Portland — Honolulu route come September 20.
Every little bit helps.
But the biggest boost of all may well come from homegrown Hawaiian Airlines. The carrier is acquiring as many as 15 long-range Airbus A330s, not just to replace its 767-300s, but — perhaps — to better forge routes farther afield into the mainland. By 2017, Hawaiian hopes to bring on board a half-dozen Airbus A350XWB-800s. That will enable the airline to ply nonstop routes as far as 8,300 nautical miles, into the distant areas of Asia, Australasia and Europe.
Nearer term, even absent the A350s (XWB, by the way, stands for “extra wide-body”), Hawaiian is bidding to offer nonstop service from Honolulu to close-in Tokyo Haneda Airport. Betting is, the government will award them the route authority.
Competitive Insight
Even before the arrival of those far-ranging Airbus widebodies, Hawaiian Airlines is the Big Kahuna at Honolulu International. It conjured up a commanding 46.818 percent of the available 12,048,686 seats at the mid-Pacific airport last year, according to OAG and the Hawaiian Tourism Authority. No one else came close. (See Graphs)
Hawaiian’s ascendance is pegged to lots of things: the demise of arch-competitor Aloha, cutback by mainland-based US carriers during the recession — and the fact that Hawaiian continues to get better every day.
For those looking to strike a deal to the islands, here’s a rundown of who lofted what percentage of Honolulu’s air seats last year:
While most airports release the percentage market share each carrier enjoys on each route, Honolulu International declines to do so. However, based on OAG’s compilation of calendar year 2009 seats, these are HNL’s top five nonstop domestic destinations — that is destinations in the US, even though they cross the Pacific:
1. Los Angeles International (LAX): five carriers plied this busy mainland corridor: United, Hawaiian, Delta, American and Continental.
2. San Francisco International (SFO): United, Hawaiian, American and Delta divvied up HNL — SFO in 2009.
3. Seattle/Tacoma (SEA): Alaska did a good job of ferrying flyers to and from Honolulu over its Sea-Tac hub. Hawaiian and Delta are also in this market.
4. Las Vegas (LAS) is a busy route for one carrier — Hawaiian.
5. Phoenix (PHX): US Airways flowed folks over its Sky Harbor hub to Honolulu. Hawaiian also serves the market.
The top five international destinations, again based solely on OAG’s compilation of available seats in 2009, were:
1. Tokyo Narita (NRT): Lots of competition across the Pacific to Tokyo. Delta, China Airlines, United, All Nippon and JALways (Japan Airlines’ international leisure subsidiary) were all players to Narita.
2. Osaka (KIX): Delta flew this route; so too JALways
3. Nagoya (NGO): JALways had the run all to itself.
4. Sydney (SYD): A trio of competitors Downunder — Qantas, Hawaiian and Jetstar.
5. Seoul (ICN): Korean was the single carrier ‘twixt HNL and Seoul’s Incheon International Airport.
Meanwhile ...
Even as the air market itself continues its perpetual churn in paradise, Honolulu International is preparing for what it hopes will be more visitors, not all of them tourists. November 2011 is set to see a significant influx of high-profile passengers for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.
Statewide, Hawaii is spending some $2.3 billion to upgrade its airports, with Honolulu getting a huge chunk of the cash. Already complete at HNL is a new parking structure. That means the airport now sports 6,300 spaces in all.
What international passengers are more likely to notice is the first phase of a new International Arrival’s Corridor on the Ewa Concourse. It provides a fast, secure conduit to Federal Inspection Services for flyers deplaning at gates 26 through 34. The whole corridor, replete with moving sidewalks, will be up and running by 2011. Other efforts in the offing: in-line checked baggage screening. That means removal of clunky, minivan-size screening devises from the ticketing lobby. It also means you won’t have to schlep your luggage from pillar to post when you get to the airport.
Out on the airfield, HNL is widening and resurfacing taxiways. That helps the airport handle more airplanes.
Sexy it ain’t. But lots of things that make a difference aren’t.
Magical Terminal
If it’s the sensuous and serene you’re in search of, descend a flight of magic stairs. If you know where to look, Honolulu International can be mythic — the kind of place reminiscent of “The High and the Mighty,” the kind of airport mainland aerodromes can never be. Epicenter of the magic is a trio of sunken gardens surrounded by the main terminal lobby and the Y Concourse. There are three incarnations: Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian. Pathways connect the tree-shaded enclaves, and the sound of water is almost always with you. Sit a spell and see giant golden carp splash amidst lilies and lotus pads. Drink in the smells of banana, coconut and hala and forget you’re actually at an airport.
When you’re ready to wrench yourself back to reality, HNL offers some decent places to grab a bite and a beer. The Gordon Biersch Brewery is located near Gate 28 on the Ewa Concourse. On the Diamond Head Concourse, try Island Brews near Gate 8. Dewar’s Clubhouse (a place designed for devotees of golf and good Scotch) just set up shop on the Central Concourse.
Gotta have a clear head? Honolulu International has the usual retinue of airport clubs, as well as its own conference facilities. The Garden Conference Center sports four rooms, and is located on the ground level of the Main Overseas Terminal. Understand that the term “overseas terminal” at Honolulu doesn’t have the same connotation it does on the mainland. Flights that depart and arrive from the Overseas Terminal can be international or domestic. In either event, it — by definition — is over seas. Except when you go out of the Interisland Terminal, a facility whose name fits the function.
From the Interisland Terminal, you head to neighbor islands such as Kauai and Maui. There’s a four-room conference center on the 7th floor of this facility, on the top level of the parking structure. Information: 1-808-836-6659.
Really on the go and need to get some work done right now? HNL offers ReCharge stations for laptops, cells and such at 15 locations — both in the main and Interisland terminals. Internet workstations are set up in the Main Terminal near Gate 12, the Central Concourse near Gate 22, and the Interisland near Gate 56.
Getting around the airport is done largely by shuttle bus. If you’re arriving on the Ewa of Diamond Head Concourses, walk outside and catch a brightly-painted shuttle to the Interisland Terminal for that getaway on the Big Island. The bus also operates between the Commuter, Interisland and Overseas terminals. Look for the curbside signs.
Presumably, you’ll eventually want to leave the airport at some point. This is Hawaii, and the transport — like almost everything else — can be pricey. A taxi to Waikiki during non-rush hours runs $35 to $40. The Airport Waikiki Express is far more reasonable: $9 one-way, or $15 roundtrip. Call 1-808-831-1555.
SIDEBAR: Other Airports
Boston Logan (BOS): Quick, which airport houses Air France’s largest US lounge? How ‘bout Boston Logan. The 6,200-square foot business class affair can accommodate more than 110 up-front flyers. It comes replete with lots of interior accents and is fitted with Wi-Fi, fax, copier, high-def TV and a pair of meeting rooms. The enclave overlooks the tarmac at Logan.
Denver International (DEN): Now that Continental has migrated from SkyTeam to Star Alliance, the carrier is co-locating gates with Star partners. Case-in-point: Denver International. Continental has moved from its former Concourse A digs over to Concourse B. That’s where Star’s United Airlines lives at the Mile High Airport. In the process, Continental has closed its Presidents Club on A. Now, CO Presidents Club, Star Alliance Gold, and BusinessFirst flyers on international flights have access to United’s Red Carpet Clubs on Concourse B. For long-time Denver flyers, the move is fascinating. Once-upon-a-time, Continental and United were fierce competitors at Denver’s old Stapleton International. Now the two are about to become one.
Miami (MIA): People get sick en route. Happens all the time. To that end, this news from Miami International. AirportMD has opened a full-service walk-in medical clinic at MIA. Head to the Concourse H security checkpoint, pre-security. That’s where it is. There you can receive urgent care, routine medical care, prescriptions, immunizations, vaccines and such. AirportMD is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Information: www.airportmd.com or 305-869-4075.
London Heathrow (LHR): Despite the limp economy, lifestyle lives — especially in London. Consider a new place in Heathrow’s Terminal 4 called ‘Rituals.’ If you like scented candles, “pure” tea, “nourishing” face and body creams and such, this might warrant a stop. Raymond Cloorsternman, Rituals’ founder, says the enclave “aims to be a ‘journey for the senses’...With a passion for making the ordinary extraordinary.” Among the “extraordinary” experiences the place touts: white tea, and hand massage. Beats peanuts and bottled water.
- JGC
