Interisland carrier Island Air plans to relaunch service to Maui’s Kahului Airport April 15, but the airline will discontinue service to Kapalua Airport on the Valley Isle’s west coast May 31.
Island Air officials said the company will add the new daily flights between Honolulu and Kahului along with new Kahului-Lanai service thanks to the introduction of a 64-passenger ATR 72 aircraft.
“We regret that we will no longer serve Kapalua,” said Les Murashige, Island Air president. “However, as we phase out the Dash 8 aircraft, which are reaching the end of their economic life, our larger aircraft will not be able to land on Kapalua Airport’s short runway.”
The Kapalua Airport is often used by guests staying at West Maui resorts and hotels, including the Kapalua Resort and the Kaanapali Beach Resort.
Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison, who purchased 98% of the island of Lanai last summer, acquired Island Air in late February.
The airline currently offers 224 weekly flights between the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kauai.