Hawaii’s next quarter to be a record one, thanks to growth from China and Korea

Source: The Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Author: Dave Segal

Airlines are expected to bring in more scheduled nonstop seats into Hawaii this quarter than the peak July-September period of five years ago as the state heads toward a record year in visitor arrivals.

An influx of new flights from Hawaiian, United, Alaska and Allegiant airlines, among others, is projected to bring in nearly 2.7 million seats, 12.6 percent more capacity than 2.4 million in the year-earlier period and 2.6 percent more than the 2.6 million that came during the same three-month stretch in 2007, according to data released today from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

South Korea and China are expected to show gains of 55 percent, and 48 percent, respectively.

Seats from Oceania, which is comprised of Australia and New Zealand, are expected to increase 29.4 percent with U.S. East next at 25 percent and Japan at 15.4 percent. The U.S. West, Hawaii’s top tourism market, is anticipated to increase seats by 8.8 percent.

Canada is projected to remain the same as a year ago.

Overall, international seats are forecast to rise 18.1 percent and domestic seats 10.4 percent.