PHX-ITO

[JETSETTER USA/INTL]

I hope that they will.

 

[Dont call me Shirley]

I hope that they will.

Does anyone still fly Hilo-Mainland? Hilo was a destination way back when until KOA (Kona) airport was expanded. Not sure when that took place.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilo_International_Airport

Beginning in 1979, however, overseas passenger traffic began to fall steadily, leading one carrier after another to suspend service to Hilo. By the mid-1980s overseas traffic had fallen by such an extent that United Airlines, the sole remaining overseas carrier, terminated scheduled service on December 1, 1986. The number of overseas passengers travelling to Hilo had declined in each of the previous eight years. During the first eleven months of 1986, United Airlines had served a mere 20,914 passengers in Hilo.[11] Hilo would be left without a direct connection to North America for nearly two decades.
At the same time, the state's other major airports added overseas service. United Airlines commenced service to Kahului Airport on January 5, 1983, followed by service to Kona International Airport on September 7 and finally to Līhuʻe Airport in August 1984.[12] Hilo struggled to attract another overseas air carrier.

 

[FutureUScapt]

No one currently has scheduled service from ITO to the mainland. TZ flew ITO-OAK in its later years; it started as a B737 but IIRC, was upgraded to a B757.

 

[ChockJockey]

I hope that they will.

Erm, are there any indications US might? :huh:

 

[necigrad]

I don't see why this couldn't be attempted again. HP did it, I think we flew to HNL, KOA, ITO, LIH, and OGG from PHX, and several of those from LAS. COULD this happen? Absolutely? WILL it happen? Dunno, ask the idiots in Tempe.

 

[Dont call me Shirley]

I don't see why this couldn't be attempted again. HP did it, I think we flew to HNL, KOA, ITO, LIH, and OGG from PHX, and several of those from LAS. COULD this happen? Absolutely? WILL it happen? Dunno, ask the idiots in Tempe.

Don't think they ever flew to Hilo. From the wiki article: Joining United Airlines and Pan American Airways in providing nonstop service to Hilo from the west coast of the U.S. were Braniff, Continental, Northwest Orient and Western Airlines. The number of overseas passengers flying through Hilo peaked at 313,428 in 1971 and remained between 250,000 and 300,000 for most of the decade. Beginning in 1979, however, overseas passenger traffic began to fall steadily, leading one carrier after another to suspend service to Hilo. By the mid-1980s overseas traffic had fallen by such an extent that United Airlines, the sole remaining overseas carrier, terminated scheduled service on December 1, 1986.

No mention of HP going there, even back in the 747 days. If ITO were such a goldmine, someone would be serving the route. I've never been to the Big Island, it it seems that Kona (KOA) is the choice tourist airport.

 

[necigrad]

Could be that I'm wrong on ITO then. We did fly to several HI destinations and it was one big expansion just prior to the merger using ETOPS 757s. I THOUGHT ITO was on the list, but maybe not.

 

[FutureUScapt]

Could be that I'm wrong on ITO then. We did fly to several HI destinations and it was one big expansion just prior to the merger using ETOPS 757s. I THOUGHT ITO was on the list, but maybe not.

The HI expansion was announced prior to the merger, though none of it officially launched until afterwards. Single daily flights from PHX-HNL/OGG began in December 2005, while 4 wkly PHX-KOA/LIH, 2nd daily PHX-HNL, and daily LAS-OGG flights began in March 2006. The LAS-OGG was since switched over to a 2nd daily PHX-OGG and PHX-KOA/LIH now operate daily during most of the year. ITO was not part of that announcement, so unless HP served it in the early '90s (doubtful), it would be an entirely new destination for US/HP.

 

[smoot4208]

ATA had success with the ITO-OAK. I don't think US will serve ITO, but I am surprised no one flies it from LAX. Maybe when Allegiant starts flying to Hawaii early next year they will consider flying there

 

[Poug Darker]

US will not fly the route. Just like they won't go to China. Or Japan, for that matter.
All this is just 'lipstick on the pig' to gussy it up for the merger market.
Don't get excited until the first flight actually lands at the new destination, with paying passengers.
Lots has been forecast, promised, and planned for in the past, but not much has been actually delivered.
Must be getting old, because I've seen this stuff before......twice.
At least.
Cheers.

 

[Dog Wonder]

US will not fly the route.
Must be getting old, because I've seen this stuff before......twice.
At least.
Cheers.

You are not getting old.

The young and foolish are getting moreso.