Eight Hawaiian Airlines employees, who recently attended flight attendant training at the carrier’s Honolulu headquarters, tested positive this week for coronavirus after feeling ill.
Hawaiian spokesman Alex Da Silva confirmed Thursday that among the infected were two flight attendant trainers and six flight attendants who were undergoing training, according to The Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
“We are supporting our team members in their recovery, helping contact anyone who may have been at risk of exposure, and reinforcing our office protocols to keep our employees safe,” Da Silva said.
Da Silva said the source of the infection is still being investigated.
The new cases at Hawaiian Airlines come as the carrier prepares to resume most of its U.S. mainland routes and increase its neighbor island schedule. Hawaiian had significantly reduced its service amid declining travel demand from COVID-19 fears and tourism lockdowns, which began in Hawaii about mid-March and even earlier for some of the international destinations that the airline serves.