Interisland Hawaiian carriers Mokulele and Makani Kia have
begun a merger process.
Beginning June 8, all Makani Kai distribution will be
conducted only through Mokulele channels, including in the GDSs.
The remaining integration will continue through the summer
and should wrap up by early fall, said Keith Sisson, chief marketing officer
for Mokulele. The merger was announced last week.
Hawaii currently requires travelers going between islands to
quarantine for 14 days. The order lifts on June 16. Makani Kia, which has
grounded all flights since early March, will resume service on four routes per
day beginning June 16, Sisson said. Mokulele has typically operated more than
40 flights daily during the Covid-19 crisis, he added.
Both airlines fly single-engine, nine-seat Cessna Grand Caravan
aircraft.
Makani Kai has never sold through the GDSs, according to
Sisson, so the merger will mean travel advisors will have access
to additional interisland flights. Hawaiian and Southwest also fly
interisland routes.
Makani Kai also has two twin-engine Piper Chieftain
aircraft, which they used before the pandemic for service between Honolulu and
the resort community of Princeville on the island of Kauai.
Hawaii continues to require visitors from abroad and the
mainland U.S. to quarantine upon arrival for 14 days. But once the Princeville
route resumes, flyers will be able to use Mokulele’s partnership with Alaska Airlines and American Airlines for a single booking from the mainland to Princeville, which is
located on the north coast of the island, approximately an hour from the main
Kauai airport in Lihue. No other carrier flies to Princeville.
Mokulele is owned by Mississippi-based regional carrier
Southern Airways Express. Makani Kai is owned by Hawaii-based Schuman Aviation.