Aviation

Hawaiian Airlines Marks 16 Consecutive Years as Most Punctual U.S. Airline

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiʻi’s hometown carrier for more than 90 years, remained the nation’s most punctual carrier in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, marking the 16th straight year its guests have enjoyed the best on-time performance in the U.S. industry.

Hawaiian’s flights averaged an 87.7 percent on-time rate in 2019, exceeding the U.S. industry average by 6.1 percentage points.

“Our more than 7,400 employees know how important it is for our guests to be on time, whether they are starting a family vacation in Hawaiʻi, or traveling between our islands for business or to visit their ʻohana, and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishment,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “We recently observed our 90^th anniversary and this ‘Sweet 16’ is definitely another achievement worth celebrating.”

Hawaiian has extended its on-time performance streak, which began in 2004, as it grew into a global airline that today offers a robust network of over 240 daily international, transpacific and neighbor island flights. The airline’s modern fleet of more than 60 jet aircraft provide nonstop service between Hawaiʻi and 13 gateway cities in North America – more than any other carrier – as well as an unparalleled flight schedule between the Hawaiian Islands. The airline also serves Australia (Sydney and Brisbane), American Samoa (Pago Pago), Japan (Haneda and Narita in Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, and Fukuoka), New Zealand (Auckland), South Korea (Seoul), and Tahiti (Papeete).

Last year, Hawaiian launched five-times-weekly service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye (HNL) and Boston Logan (BOS) international airports. A fleet of fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo enabled Hawaiian to also start new nonstop flights between Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) and both Sacramento (SMF) and McCarran (LAS) international airports, as well as expanded service between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and HNL.

Next month, the airline will introduce its third daily nonstop flight between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) and the Hawaiian Islands, several months ahead of the 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

The U.S. DOT’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Report ranking the nation’s 16 largest air carriers is available online at www.dot.gov/individuals/air-consumer/air-travel-consumer-reports.

Aviation

Air India Might Operate Tata-Made New Airbus C295 Aircraft

Tata Group’s expansion into the aviation sector continues to gain momentum, with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TIAL) recently inaugurating the final assembly line (FAL) facility for the Airbus C295 transport aircraft.

Currently, Indian airlines are purchasing aircraft from ATR and De Havilland, focusing on shorter regional routes. These are propeller-based aircraft, similar to the C295. If Airbus and TATA go forward with this plan, it could be a major breakthrough for their business collaboration.

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If Air India shows interest in operating the C295, it would offer significant advantages. Since its parent group is involved in the aircraft’s production, Air India could benefit from streamlined access to parts and maintenance, leading to cost savings and operational efficiency.

This marks an exciting new chapter, as TIAL is also planning to develop a civilian variant of the C-295, which could potentially be operated by its own airline, Air India. If this vision comes to fruition, Air India might become the first carrier to operate the civilian C-295, marking a significant milestone for both the airline and the country’s aviation landscape.

The C295 can accommodate up to 71 passengers, close to the ATR 72’s capacity of around 78. This aircraft would be especially reliable for airlines, as parts would be readily available due to the assembly plant in India. While the C295 is primarily used for military operations, a commercial version would be a game-changer for the airline industry, providing a win-win situation for both Airbus and TATA. This could also lead to more competitive pricing.

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This move is aligned with the growing demand for regional connectivity in India, where smaller, regional airports require more versatile aircraft to meet travel needs. The C-295’s short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities make it an ideal choice for connecting these regional airports, many of which have shorter runways that are not suited to larger commercial jets.

By introducing turboprop aircraft into its fleet, Air India could fill an important gap in the market, providing crucial connectivity to underserved destinations.

The potential introduction of a civilian version of the C-295 offers several benefits. First, it could significantly reduce operating costs for Air India, especially with domestic production. Having an aircraft manufactured within the country would allow for more affordable maintenance, support, and easier fleet expansion.

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Furthermore, this move would complement the Make in India initiative, reinforcing the government’s vision to boost the country’s domestic manufacturing sector, particularly in the aerospace industry.

Additionally, the C-295’s versatility in both passenger and cargo configurations would make it an attractive choice for mixed-traffic regional routes. The fuel efficiency of turboprop aircraft over shorter distances also aligns with the need for cost-effective operations on regional routes, where airlines face increasing competition.

If Tata’s ambitious plans for a civilian C-295 materialize, it would not only strengthen the Tata Group’s position as a key player in both the military and civilian aviation sectors but also contribute to India’s rise as a competitive force in the global aerospace market.

For Air India, this shift towards operating a domestically manufactured aircraft would further underline its commitment to the country’s aviation future.