Aloha Airlines 287769 225486124 2008-07-13T23:09:10Z Hawaiian717 271792 readd info to infobox {{for|the cargo airline|Aloha Air Cargo}} {{Infobox_Airline |airline=Aloha Airlines |logo=Aloha Airlines Logo.svg |logo_size=250 |fleet_size=22 |destinations=11 |IATA=AQ |ICAO=AAH |callsign=ALOHA |parent=Aloha Air Group |founded=[[July 26]] [[1946]] (as Trans-Pacific Airlines)<ref name="NAAH">{{cite book|last=Norwood|first=Tom|coauthors=Wegg, John|title=North American Airlines Handbook|publisher=Airways International|location=Sandpoint, ID|date=2002|edition=3rd|isbn=0-9653993-8-9|pages=p. 9|url=http://www.airwaysnews.com}}</ref> |commenced= July 26, 1946 |ceased= [[March 31]], [[2008]] |headquarters=[[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]] |key_people= |hubs=[[Honolulu International Airport]] |focus_cities= |frequent_flyer=AlohaPass |lounge=Ali{{okina}}i Club |alliance= |website=http://www.alohaairlines.com }} '''Aloha Airlines''' was an [[United States|American]] airline headquartered in [[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], [[USA]], operating from a [[airline hub|hub]] at [[Honolulu International Airport]]. Operations ceased on [[March 31]] [[2008]]. == History == ===Propeller era=== The airline was founded as charter carrier '''Trans-Pacific Airlines''' by publisher Ruddy Tongg as a competitor to [[Hawaiian Airlines]], commencing operations on [[Aloha Friday]], [[July 26]] [[1946]], with a single World War II-surplus [[C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47]] ([[Douglas DC-3|DC-3]]) on a flight from Honolulu to [[Maui]] and [[Hilo]]. The name reflected Tongg's vision of a trans-oceanic airline connecting [[California]], Hawaii, and [[China]]. It soon earned the nickname "The Aloha Airline" and was flying four aircraft by the end of the year. Approval to operate as a scheduled airline came when President [[Harry S. Truman]] signed the certificate on [[February 21]] [[1949]], with the first scheduled flight on [[June 6]] [[1949]], following ceremonies held the previous day. In 1952, the airline reported its first annual profit: $36,410.12. The airline's market share rose to 30% that year, up from 10% in 1950, the year the airline adopted the name '''TPA-The Aloha Airline'''. However, the introduction of the [[Convair 340]] at Hawaiian Airlines halted further growth of TPA's market share for over five years. In 1958, real estate developer Hung Wo Ching, whose family held a sizable stake in the airline and following overtures by Tongg, was elected president of the airline. In November of that year, the company changed its name again, becoming '''Aloha Airlines'''. On [[April 15]] [[1959]], Aloha took delivery of its first [[Fairchild F-27]] [[turboprop]] aircraft. These aircraft were unique to Aloha, built with a stronger [[keel]] beam and thicker belly skin to satisfy concerns about ditching the high-wing aircraft. That summer, Aloha's market share jumped to 42%. ===Jet engine era=== [[Image:Boeing737-N742AL.jpg|thumb|right|Boeing 737-700]] Aloha retired its last DC-3 on [[January 3]] [[1961]], becoming the second airline in the United States to operate an all-turbine fleet. In 1963, the airline took delivery of two [[Vickers Viscount]]s from [[Austrian Airlines]] and soon acquired a third. Soon, the airline made the move to pure jets, with its first [[BAC One-Eleven]] arriving in Honolulu on [[April 16]] [[1966]]. The last F-27 was retired from service in June 1967. As Hawaiian took delivery of larger [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9|Douglas DC-9-30s]], Aloha realized its smaller One-Elevens, which also took performance penalties in Kona, put it at a disadvantage. The airline went shopping and placed an order for two [[Boeing 737-200]]s in December. Named "Funbirds", the Boeing jets entered service on [[March 2]] [[1969]]. The massive capacity increase hurt both airlines, and in 1970, the first of three unsuccessful merger attempts between the two rivals (the others coming in 1988 and 2001) was made. In October 1971, the airline sold its remaining Viscounts and became an all-jet airline. In 1983, Aloha introduced its AlohaPass frequent flyer program. In 1984, the airline leased a [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10|McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30]], and on [[May 28]], inaugurated service with the aircraft between Honolulu, [[Guam]], and [[Taipei]] under the name '''Aloha Pacific'''. The operation, however, was unable to compete with [[Continental Airlines]], and was discontinued on [[January 12]] [[1985]]. In October of that year, Aloha acquired Quick-Change 737 aircraft that could be quickly converted from a passenger configuration to all-cargo freighter for nighttime cargo flights. In February 1986, Aloha began weekly flights between Honolulu and [[Kiritimati]] (Christmas Island), becoming the first airline to operate [[ETOPS]] 737s. In late 1986, Ching and vice-chairman Sheridan Ing announced plans to take the company private, and it remained in the hands of the Ing and Ching families until its emergence from bankruptcy in 2006, when additional investors including The Yucaipa Cos., Aloha Aviation Investment Group, and Aloha Hawaii Investors LLC took stakes in the airline. In 1987, the airline acquired Princeville Airways, renaming Aloha IslandAir, which became known as [[Island Air]] in 1995. In 2003, Island Air was sold to Gavarnie Holding and became an independent airline. On [[February 14]] [[2000]], the airline began mainland service, flying newly-delivered Boeing 737-700s from Honolulu and Kahului to [[Oakland, California]]. Aloha Airline's longest inter-island route was 216 miles, while the shortest route was a mere 62 miles. Average travel distance per inter-island flight was 133 miles.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} Aloha also marketed some inter-island routes served by partner [[Island Air]], and passengers earned miles in either its own [[frequent flyer program]], AlohaPass, or in [[United Airlines]]' Mileage Plus program.<ref name="routemap">{{cite web|title=Where we Fly | url=http://www.alohaairlines.com/WhereWeFly.php | publisher=Aloha Airlines | accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AlohaPass | url=http://www.alohaairlines.com/AlohaPass.php | accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref><ref name="codeshare">[http://www.alohaairlines.com/travel_info/travel_policies/_codeshare_faq.php Codeshare partners]</ref> ===Economic challenges and passenger shutdown=== Rising costs and an [[economic recession]] in [[Japan]] put Aloha into a defensive position in the early 2000s, soon exacerbated by the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]], the [[Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome|SARS]] panic of 2003, and soaring fuel prices. On [[December 30]] [[2004]], Aloha Airlines filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] protection in an attempt to cut costs and remain competitive with other airlines serving Hawaii. Following approval of new labor contracts and securing additional investment from new investors, the airline emerged from bankruptcy protection on [[February 17]] [[2006]]. On [[August 30]] [[2006]], [[Gordon Bethune]] was named [[Chair (official)|Chairman of the Board]]. Citing losses from a protracted fare war incited by inter-island competitor [[go! (airline)|go!]] and high fuel prices, Aloha filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection again on [[March 20]] [[2008]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/03/17/daily42.html | title=Aloha Airlines files for second bankruptcy in 3 years, blames go! for losses | first=Chad | last=Blair | work=[[Pacific Business News]] | date=[[2008-03-20]] | accessdate=2008-03-20}}</ref> Ten days later, on [[March 30]] [[2008]], Aloha Airlines announced the suspension of all scheduled passenger flights, with the final day of operation to be [[March 31]] [[2008]].<ref>{{cite news | last=McAvoy | first=Audrey | url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8VO2HT80.htm | title=Aloha Airlines halting passenger service | work=[[BusinessWeek]] | date-[[2008-03-30]] | accessdate=2008-04-25}}</ref> The shutdown resulted in the layoffs of about 1,900 of the company's roughly 3,500 employees.<ref>{{cite news | last=Segal | first=Dave | url=http://starbulletin.com/2008/03/31/news/story01.html | title=Aloha Air shuts down | work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] | date-[[2008-03-31]] | accessdate=2008-05-03}}</ref> [[Governor of Hawaii|Hawaii Governor]] [[Linda Lingle]] asked the bankruptcy court involved to delay the shutdown of Aloha Airlines passenger services, and forcibly restore passenger service,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080330/BREAKING01/80330070 | title=Lingle asks court to delay Aloha passenger service shutdown | work=[[The Honolulu Advertiser]] | date=[[2008-03-30]] | accessdate=2008-04-25}}</ref> however, federal Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King declined, saying the court should not interfere with business decisions.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://starbulletin.com/2008/04/01/news/story03.html | title=Ending service is Aloha’s call, court says | work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] | first=Dave | last=Segal | date=[[2008-04-01]] | accessdate=2008-05-03}}</ref> After the shutdown of passenger operations, Aloha and its creditors sought to auction off its profitable cargo and contract services division. [[Pacific Air Cargo]] emerged as the highest bidder for the contract services division; the sale of the division to Pacific Air Cargo is currently in progress.<ref>{{cite press release| url=http://pacificaircargo.com/NEWS/Alohaairlines.htm | title= Pacific Air Cargo is Highest Bidder for Aloha's Contract Services Unit | publisher=Aloha Airlines | date=[[2008-04-21]] | accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref> Pacific Air Cargo will operate the division under the name Aloha Contract Services.<ref>{{cite web|title="Aloha Contract Services | url =http://www.pacificaircargo.com/NEWS/alohaapplication.pdf | accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref> Several companies expressed interest in purchasing Aloha's cargo division, including [[Seattle]]-based Saltchuk Resources, [[California]]-based Castle & Cooke Aviation, and Hawaii-based Kahala Capital (which included Richard Ing, a minority investor in the Aloha Air Group and member of Aloha's board of directors).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://starbulletin.com/2008/04/02/news/story01.html | title=Turbulent aftermath | work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] | first=Dave | last=Segal | date=[[2008-04-02]] | accessdate=2008-05-03}}</ref> However, a disagreement between cargo division bidders and Aloha's primary lender, [[GMAC Commercial Finance]], ended with the bidders dropping out of the auction.<ref name="biddersdropout">{{cite news | url=http://starbulletin.com/2008/04/29/news/story04.html | title=Bidders drop out and funding halts | work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] | first=Dave | last=Segal | date=[[2008-04-29]] | accessdate=2008-05-03}}</ref> Almost immediately afterwards, GMAC halted all funding to Aloha's cargo division, forcing all cargo operations to cease; at the same time, Aloha's board of directors decided to convert its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization filing into a [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7]] bankruptcy liquidation.<ref name="biddersdropout" /> Saltchuk Resources decided to renew its bid to purchase the cargo division at the urging of U.S. Senator [[Daniel Inouye]], and a deal between Aloha and Saltchuk was struck and approved by the federal bankruptcy court, where Saltchuk would purchase the cargo division for $10.5 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/02/news/story01.html | title=Return flight | work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] | first=Dave | last=Segal | date=[[2008-05-02]] | accessdate=2008-05-03}}</ref> The sale was approved by federal Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King on [[May 12]] [[2008]], with the sale expected to close two days later.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/13/news/story02.html | title=Court allows Seattle firm to buy Aloha’s cargo division | date=[[2008-05-13]] | accessdate=2008-05-14 | first=Dave | last=Segal | work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]}}</ref> Prior to its bid for Aloha, Saltchuk Resources was already present in [[Hawaii]] through its subsidiaries Young Brothers/Hawaiian Tug & Barge, Hawaii Fuel Network, Maui Petroleum and Minit Stop Stores. The company also owns [[Northern Air Cargo]], [[Alaska]]'s largest cargo airline. A new subsidiary, '''Aeko Kula Inc.''', was set up by Saltchuk to operate [[Aloha Air Cargo]]. <gallery> Image:Aloha56.jpg|1956 Logo Image:Aloha orig.gif|Late 1950s Logo Image:Aloha1965.gif|1965 Logo Image:AlohaEarly70s.gif|Early 1970s Logo Image:AlohaLate70s.gif|Late 1970s Logo Image:AlohaLogo.jpg|Aloha Old Logo </gallery> == Destinations == [[Image:Aloha 732.jpg|thumb|Boeing 737-200]] Prior to the shutdown of its passenger services on March 31, 2008, Aloha Airlines provided passenger service the following cities: === [[United States]] === ===== [[California]] ===== *[[Oakland, California|Oakland]] ([[Oakland International Airport]]) *[[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] ([[Sacramento International Airport]]) *[[San Diego, California|San Diego]] ([[San Diego International Airport]]) *[[Santa Ana, California|Santa Ana]] ([[John Wayne Airport]]) '''Focus City''' ===== [[Hawaii]] ===== *[[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]] ([[Hilo International Airport]]) *[[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu]] ([[Honolulu International Airport]]) '''Hub''' *[[Kahului, Hawaii|Kahului]] ([[Kahului Airport]]) '''Focus City''' *[[Kona, Hawaii|Kona]] ([[Kona International Airport]]) *[[Lihue, Hawaii|Lihue]] ([[Lihue Airport]]) ===== [[Nevada]] ===== *[[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] ([[McCarran International Airport]]) *[[Reno, Nevada|Reno]] ([[Reno/Tahoe International Airport]]) <nowiki>*</nowiki> '''Note:''' Aloha Airlines also codeshared on [[Island Air]] flights to [[Molokai Airport|Hoolehua]], [[Kapalua, Hawaii|Kapalua]], and [[Lanai City, Hawaii|Lanai City]] using [[de Havilland Canada Dash 8]] aircraft. == Fleet == At the time of its shutdown Aloha Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft <center> {| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse" |+ '''Aloha Airlines Fleet''' |- bgcolor=orange !Aircraft !Total !Passengers <br> (First/Economy) !Routes !Notes |- |[[Boeing 737#737-200|Boeing 737-200]] |13 |127 (-/127) |Hawaii Inter-Island | |- |[[Boeing 737#737-700/-700ER|Boeing 737-700]] |8 |124 (12/112) |US Mainland | |- |[[Boeing 737#737-800|Boeing 737-800]] |1 |162 (12/150) |US Mainland<br>(primarily Kahului-Sacramento) |Leased from [[TransAvia]] from<br>November 2007 - April 2008 <ref>[http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=710257 PH-HZO as the new Aloha aircraft for the winter period]</ref> |} </center> As of March 2008, the average age of the Aloha Airlines fleet was 18.2 years.<ref>[http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/?file=calcop&opp=Aloha%20Airlines Aloha Airlines Fleet Age]</ref> == Codeshare agreements == Aloha Airlines had [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines: *[[Island Air]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-05-12-island-air_x.htm | title=Island Air launches independent Maui-Kona service | work=[[USA Today]] | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | date=[[2004-05-12]] | accessdate=2008-05-01}}</ref> *[[United Airlines]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2004356123_trairlinetips20.html | title=Feel like you're flying by the seat of your pants? Sit back and relax with these tips | work=[[The Seattle Times]] | date=[[2008-04-20]] | accessdate=2008-05-10}}</ref> == Incidents and accidents == {{main|Aloha Airlines Flight 243}} [[Image:alohaairlinesdisaster.jpg|thumb|300px|Aloha Airlines [[Boeing 737#737-200|Boeing 737-297]], registration N73711 at [[Kahului Airport]] on [[April 28]] [[1988]] after part of its fuselage was torn away in flight.]] On [[April 28]] [[1988]], [[Aloha Airlines Flight 243]] [[Boeing 737]] (N73711) inter-island flight departed [[Hilo International Airport|Hilo Airport]] for [[Honolulu International Airport]], carrying 89 passengers and six crew. The airplane experienced rapid decompression when an 18-foot section of the fuselage roof and sides was torn away. One [[flight attendant]] (Clarabelle Lansing) was ejected from the aircraft during the decompression; her body was never recovered. Several passengers sustained life-threatening injuries, including instances of massive head wounds. The pilots declared an emergency and landed at [[Kahului Airport]] on [[Maui]] despite the damage. Subsequent investigations concluded that the accident was caused by [[metal fatigue]]. The disaster caused almost all major United States air carriers to retire their oldest airplane models.<ref>[http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=04281988&reg=N73711&airline=Aloha+Airlines Aloha Airlines Crash]</ref> The event was dramatised in a [[1990]] television movie titled ''[[Miracle Landing]]'' starring [[Connie Sellecca]], [[Wayne Rogers]] and [[Nancy Kwan]]. The incident was also the focus of an episode of the series ''[[Mayday (TV series)|Mayday]]'' (''Air Crash Investigation'' and ''Air Emergency''), shown on the [[Discovery Channel]]. == References == {{reflist|2}} {{refbegin}} *{{cite news| title=Aloha Airlines: Ready to Protect Their Beachfront in Paradise | last=Young | first=Branden | work=[[Airliners (magazine)|Airliners: The World's Aviation Magazine]] | publisher=Airliners Publications | pages=35-39 | date=July/August 2006}} *{{cite book| last=Forman | first=Peter | title=Wings of Paradise: Hawaii's Incomparable Airlines | publisher=Barnstormer Books | year=2005 | location=Kailua, HI | isbn=978-0-9701594-4-1}} {{refend}} == External links == * [http://www.alohaaircargo.com/ Aloha Airlines Cargo] * [http://www.alohaairlines.com/ Aloha Airlines] * ''[http://www.spiritofaloha.com/ Spirit of Aloha]'' (inflight magazine) * Planespotters.net: [http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Aloha_Airlines?show=all Aloha Airlines Fleet Detail] *[http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/03/24/daily52.html?ana=yfcpc Aloha Airlines to stop flying Monday; CEO calls it 'an incredibly dark day'] *[http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/30/news/companies/aloha_bankruptcy.ap/index.htm?cnn=yes Aloha Air calls it quits after bankruptcy] {{Dead link|date=June 2008}} *[http://www.kitv.com/money/15746095/detail.html Aloha Airlines Ending Passenger Flights] [[KITV-TV]] {{Airlines of the United States}} {{IATA members|northam}} {{Air Transport Association}} [[Category:Airlines established in 1946]] [[Category:IATA members]] [[Category:Air Transport Association members]] [[Category:Cargo airlines]] [[Category:Companies based in Honolulu, Hawaii]] [[Category: Airlines disestablished in 2008]] [[de:Aloha Airlines]] [[es:Aloha Airlines]] [[fr:Aloha Airlines]] [[nl:Aloha Airlines]] [[ja:アロハ航空]] [[pl:Aloha Airlines]] [[pt:Aloha Airlines]] [[sv:Aloha Airlines]] [[zh:阿羅哈航空公司]]