Hawaiian Airlines readies interisland cargo service

The airline will acquire three ATR 72 turboprop all-cargo planes for its new interisland shipping service.    Hawaiian Airlines will acquire three ATR 72 turboprop all-cargo planes for its new interisland shipping service.
   The new operation will launch in the first half of 2016, starting with flights between Honolulu International Airport and Kona International Airport, Kahului Airport, Līhuʻe Airport and Hilo International Airport.
   The ATR 72 can carry up to 18,000 pounds of cargo on five 88-inch by 108-inch aircraft pallets or up to seven LD3 containers, skidded cargo, and oversized shipments. Express services for smaller shipments will also be available on the carrier’s 160 Boeing 717 flights throughout the day.
   “Our ability to handle interisland containerized and palletized cargo will provide greater flexibility for our customers seeking seamless connections from our long-haul flights, and it will help grow our business on both our wide-body and B717 services,” said Tim Strauss, Hawaiian’s vice president of cargo sales and services, in a statement.
   The interisland cargo flights will be branded “Ohana” by Hawaiian and operated by Empire Airlines, which also operates its 48-passenger ATR 42 turboprop service. The airline estimates the new cargo operation will create more than 100 jobs, including pilots, mechanics, ground handlers, sales, customer service and management positions.