Hawaiian Airlines announced Sunday it will resume service between Sydney, Australia, and Honolulu, which was suspended due to travel restrictions imposed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The airline will resume flying five times per week between Australia’s Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), beginning Dec. 13.
“We are thrilled to reconnect Hawaii and Australia and have been encouraged by the public’s response to Australia’s national vaccination program, enabling the reopening of borders,” said Andrew Stanbury, regional director for Australia and New Zealand at Hawaiian Airlines.
Hawaiian will operate the route with its 278-seat, wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, which features 18 premium cabin seats, 68 “Extra Comfort” seats, and 192 main cabin seats.
Gov. David Ige last week welcomed back visitors beginning Nov. 1. The move came after he urged tourists on Aug. 23 to refrain from traveling to the islands amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.
International entry requirements for Hawaii remain to be announced following the recent announcement that international travel to the U.S. may resume Nov. 8 so long as travelers show proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure.
Hawaiian Airlines said Sunday it hopes the state will align its requirements with U.S. government rules.
Currently, only Australian citizens and returning permanent residents and their immediate family members are permitted to enter Australia without an exemption.