United Airlines is set to end Hilo International Airport’s only direct route to the mainland.
Over the weekend, the airline filed plans to discontinue its nonstop flight between Hilo International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, effective Jan. 7, 2023. Despite a brief pause during the pandemic, the route has been offered since 2011.
“We regularly adjust our schedule and continue to be a leader in service to Hawaii from the continental U.S., including offering the most service to Kona of all U.S. carriers,” United Airlines spokesperson Maddie King said Tuesday.
“United Airlines’ decision to cancel its Los Angeles and Hilo nonstop service is unfortunate news for our businesses, workers and residents who rely on this route,” said Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau. “This news also takes away the convenience of direct service for residents who want to fly through Hilo to Los Angeles and connect to other destinations.”
United first offered routes to Hilo from the mainland in 1967, pulling out in the mid-1980s, and returning briefly from 2006 to 2008 and again in 2011.
“We appreciate United’s commitment to Hawaii, recently celebrating 75 years of service to the islands,” said John De Fries, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. “As our economic recovery continues, many businesses small and large have had to make difficult decisions. We appreciate United’s long-standing service to Hilo, as well as the continued connectivity provided by United and other airlines between Hawaii Island and the continental U.S. through Kona.”
The decision is expected to impact a variety of East Hawaii businesses.
“I think our businesses in Hilo are disappointed to hear the news,” said Miles Yoshioka, executive officer of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. “Our businesses from our car rental agencies to restaurants are going to be affected.”
From Yoshioka’s experience, the United flights have consistently been full, leaving him to speculate the changes could be due to staffing shortages.
“When I talk to our restaurant members, it seems staffing shortages are the biggest part of the problems that they’re having now, too,” he said. “A lot of them are still going for limited hours.”
The flights from Hilo and L.A. offer convenient late evening arrival and departure times.
“For me personally, I liked those late United Air flights out of Hilo when I go to the mainland or L.A. because I can put in a full day of work,” said Yoshioka. “The other thing is the time saving — that’s an extra three hours of layover time if we need to fly from Hilo to Oahu or to Maui to catch a mainland flight.”
Yoshioka also has noticed an increased demand among visitors wanting to experience East Hawaii.
“What I have noticed, over the last year or so, was that the visitor inquiries we receive have been from people who want the Hilo, East Hawaii experience,” he said. “These visitors are looking for the more laid back, local experience. So, I think we’ll be losing out on some of those visitors. Hopefully, they’ll beeline it into Kona, and then visit us over in Hilo, but I think that’s one area our businesses will be losing out on.”
Both Yoshioka and Birch are hopeful the absence of United Airlines might encourage other airline carriers to consider replacing the route.
“I’m not too sure how things will play out because of this,” Yoshioka said. “Will this lead to another airline carrier taking its place? I would hope so. Our family will miss that flight.”
United has dropped its service to more than 25 cities as it seeks to balance its supply of airplanes and pilots with ticket sales.
“We know that overall travel demand for our island remains strong with continued interest in popular areas and attractions, including downtown Hilo, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, Hilo Farmers Market, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,” Birch said.
“Looking ahead, the cancellation of this route could be an opportunity for other air carriers to now consider.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com
