Asia.New York is an important part of our growth strategy,said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO.Adding service to the largest market in the eastern U.S., Hawaii’s second-largest tourism market, was a logical step, he said. The New York flights will add more than 100,000 new air seats annually from the East Coast.The new service will generate an estimated $156 million in direct visitor spending, and $17 million in state tax revenue annually for the tourism economy in the islands, said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.The flight is of strategic importance to promoting the Hawaiian Islands brand to our second-largest market, and we look forward to welcoming our guests, he said.U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said the flight contributes to Hawaiian becoming a leading global carrier.The opportunities this new route creates for Hawaii residents are endless and our visitor industry will expand and become more accessible to those U.S. residents who live farthest from Hawaii, he said.On June 4, the inaugural Flight 50 playing off the television show “Hawaii Five-0 will depart Honolulu at 3:05 p.m. and arrive in New York City at 6:55 a.m. the following morning. On June 5, Flight 51 will depart Kennedy airport at 10 a.m. and arrive in Honolulu at 3 p.m.Hawaiian is offering introductory fares of $212 each way in economy class and $808 each way in first class, which the airline notes is a nod to the New York’s 212 area code and Hawaii’s 808 area code.
