Scoot, the Singapore-based, low-cost carrier, launched its new service between Singapore and Honolulu with a stopover in Osaka, Japan, on December 19.
The Singapore-Osaka-Honolulu route marks Scoot's entry into the United States. A press conference and blessing ceremony that included Gov. David Ige welcomed the crew and passengers on the inaugural flight.
Scoot will fly the route four-times-weekly using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 329 seats.
The service is expected to generate $79.74 million in visitor spending and $9.31 million in state tax revenue for Hawaii on an annual basis, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).
In other Hawaii flights news, on December 20, United Airlines will begin expanding its capacity to Hawaii by 20 percent overall, adding more nonstop flights to the neighbor islands from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Denver. On December 21, Delta Air Lines begins nonstop daily service from Seattle to Lihue, Kauai.
“Altogether, the added flights are both a great finish to 2017,” said George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the HTA, in a written release. “and a springboard to further strengthen Hawaii tourism as 2018 begins.”
Southwest Airlines is also moving into the Hawaii market as the carrier announced plans back in October to begin selling tickets in 2018 for service to Hawaii.
The carrier also announced its intention to launch an application process for Federal Aviation Administration authorization for Extended Operations (ETOPS). Service details are expected to be announced at a later date, according to a statement issued by the airline.
The carrier announced it will embark on a process to obtain approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for Extended Operations (ETOPS), a regulatory requirement to operate between the mainland and the Hawaiian islands.
Visit www.flyscoot.com
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