Using ATR-72 Cargo Aircraft For Disaster Relief Flights

Hawaiian Airlines has launched an all-cargo service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Lihue Airport (LIH) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) by transporting construction and household supplies to support disaster relief projects in Hanalei on Kauai and Puna on the Island of Hawaii.

Hawaiian’s new ATR-72 aircraft was loaded with 1,020 pounds of construction tools bound for Lihue to be used by Kauai Habitat for Humanity in repairing homes for low-income residents affected by last April’s devastating storms. A second flight to Hilo carried 1,815 pounds of furniture for 20 micro-houses built by HOPE Services Hawaii to shelter families affected by the ongoing Kilauea volcano lava flow. The items were packed by employees at City Mill, which augmented Hawaiian’s list with its own donations. Also aboard the flight from Honolulu to Hilo were 23 boxes of school supplies collected by Hawaiian employees and being delivered to Pahoa Elementary.

“We are honored to utilize our new cargo operation to help support our neighbors in need,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “We couldn’t think of a better partner in this effort than City Mill, another long-time kamaaina company.”

City Mill employees packed 50 boxes of items provided at a discount by the O‘ahu home improvement retailer.

“My grandfather liked to quote an old Chinese saying: ‘When you drink water, remember the source,’” said Steven Ai, City Mill president and CEO. “Our success comes from the community and even though we’re not on the islands of Kauai or the Big Island, we believe we need to help all those who live in the state of Hawaii.”

The Lihue shipment expands Hawaiian’s partnership with Kauai Habitat for Humanity, established with an initial $25,000 cash donation after torrential storms displaced residents on Kauai earlier this spring. The new partnership with HOPE Services Hawaii builds on Hawaiian’s earlier contribution of $50,000 to support the Salvation Army’s emergency shelters set up in Puna in the wake of Kilauea’s recent eruption.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of Hawaiian Airlines and City Mill,” said Steven Spears, executive director of Kauai Habitat for Humanity. “We provided a long ‘wish list’ of materials, from face masks to jig saws, and we can’t wait to unpack the boxes and continue making critical home repairs during the long road to recovery island wide.”

“We appreciate the support of Hawaiian Airlines and City Mill in their donation of supplies that will be used to furnish the temporary emergency micro-shelters in the Puna community," said Brandee Menino, chief executive officer of HOPE Services Hawaii.

Hawaiian’s new cargo fleet, consisting of two ATR-72 aircraft in an all-cargo configuration, offers customers efficient shipment of goods throughout the state with well-timed connections from the airline’s mainland and international networks. The ‘Ohana by Hawaiian freighter operation will also include flights between HNL and Kahului Airport (OGG) and Kona International Airport (KOA) with the arrival of two more aircraft expected to be in service next year.

“The ATR-72s enable us to meet the cargo needs of our customers and businesses while streamlining and growing our shipping operations throughout Hawaii and beyond,” Ingram said at a news conference inside the company’s Charles I. Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility, the Honolulu hub of its cargo business.

Hawaiian’s ATR-72s can also accommodate up to seven LD-3 containers, the same type carried by aircraft flying Hawaiian’s transpacific routes, allowing the airline to transfer cargo more seamlessly between the islands and destinations in Asia, the South Pacific and the U.S. mainland. The cargo fleet is operated by Empire Airlines, which also operates ‘Ohana by Hawaiian’s four 48-passenger ATR-42 fleet serving the communities of Kapalua (Maui), Molokai and Lanai.

“We are excited to offer our customers a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all their cargo needs,” said Brad Matheny, managing director of cargo services at Hawaiian Airlines. “The ATR-72 is the perfect aircraft to get the job done and symbolizes our continued dedication to our community as Hawaii’s hometown carrier.”

The new ATR-72 service complements bulk freight and containerized shipping Hawaiian provides on over 70 scheduled transpacific daily flights with Airbus A330 and A321neo, and Boeing 767 aircraft. The airline’s Boeing 717 fleet, which flies approximately 170 daily flights between the Neighbor Islands, will continue to provide express shipments throughout the state.

(Images provided with Hawaiian Airlines news release)

FMI: www.HawaiianAirCargo.com