Flights into Hilo

[terracore]

United tried to expand- they did have seasonal Hilo-San Francisco service year before last. It was a dud, so they didn't bring it back.

There was (is?) an Japanese carrier that explored direct flights from Japan but the tour operator won't put it's guests into a 2 star hotel.

[macuu222]

I think they should just close down Hilo airport all together and use the money they get to build up the Kona airport. Much lower airfares on the Kona side to the mainland. You even have a second inter-island airline (Mokulele) that helps keeps prices down..... and if Island Air decides to expand to the Big island....they will no doubt only fly to Kona. The cost of the fuel to drive to Kona is less now with lower gas prices. The only thing I would like to accommodate the Hilo airport closing is to have more bus service to Kona and make Kona airport a mandatory stop.

[Bullwinkle]

Reason for keeping ITO open and in tip top shape is the same reason they built it....

It is the closest geographical location to many mainland airports- that in turn translates into safety margin for mainland aircraft limping with mechanical or fuel issues

If you wants Hotels - Maui has lots of em - grin

[kalakoa]

the closest geographical location to many mainland airports

...which is why most mainland flights are from HNL or OGG. Makes perfect sense.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Reason for keeping ITO open and in tip top shape is the same reason they built it....

Feb 13, 2015 HILO, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) -

A Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles was forced to make an emergency landing in Hilo Thursday night, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Approximately 235 passengers were on board Delta Flight 1559 -- flying out of Los Angeles International Airport at 2:45 p.m. and expected to arrive in Honolulu -- when one of the twin engine lights went on, DOT officials said. Pilots went through protocol procedures but could not successfully turn the light off, so they shut down one of the engines. They then diverted to Hilo where they landed safely at around 8:30 p.m.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/28102...ng-on-hilo

[macuu222]

And 5 more minutes they could have landed in Kahalui.

[Wao nahele wahine]

I travel frequently to the mainland for work during certain times of the year. I would hate to have to drive to Kona for flights.

Just my two cents...

Wahine

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

5 more minutes they could have landed in Kahalui

You're a braver soul than I. If I'm flying on a plane over the Pacific and was told there might be an engine problem, Hilo International at that moment would get my vote for #1 on a list of best airports in the world. Even if it's raining.

The article didn't say, but I'm guessing touchdown on that flight got a rousing round of applause. And a standing ovation once the seat belt lights went off.

[pahoated]

quote:

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Originally posted by terracore
Hilo doesn't have any resort hotels and that was by design.

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Not really. The whole Hilo bay area is a tsunami magnet, that is why it is wide open down there. Too much risk to put in some gigantic multimillion dollar hotel. Besides, most tourists want a Waikiki-like experience (no matter how much they will disagree) and that is over in Kona. My observation is mainland tourists are all wound up and rushing-rushing-rushing because they are on an expensive vacation and they want to rush around getting as much for their money as they can. Also, the only large sand beaches are on the Kona side. Not really sympathetic to tourists having to drive over to get the east side experience, keep them going to the west side, and them needing to dump money on this island is a problem for them, but what we kamaaina want them to do. Visit, spend money, go back home.

"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"

[kalakoa]

I travel frequently to the mainland for work during certain times of the year. I would hate to have to drive to Kona for flights.

I think of this as the "mainland travel surcharge" -- you're losing an extra 2-3 hours no matter what, but you get a choice of OGG, HNL, or driving Saddle Road...