Hawaii’s second largest airline, Island Air, has shut down. The airline was in business for 37 years before closing its doors due to financial strain. Reports say that the airline filed for bankruptcy protection in October after failing to make enough profit the past four years.
Over the weekend, the airline posted the announcement on its website and then suggested that people go to their credit card companies to get refunds for unused tickets. The airline’s closing also means that 400 of people are suddenly without work.
Hawaiin Airlines is currently the largest airline in Hawaii, and it is expected that they will see an increase in business due to Island Air’s closing. Hawaiin Airlines actually said that they would honor tickets throughout the week that were purchased through Island Air (on standby).
Southwest Airlines recently announced that they would be starting flights to Hawaii from the U.S. next year, and might eventually move into flights between islands as well.
