Will Aloha Airlines Stop Flying? What Should You Do?

We’re updating our earlier post on Aloha Airlines recent bankruptcy announcement.

The latest:

• State lawmakers are looking at ways to help which include a loan guarantee for investors and waiver of airport landing fees.

• Aloha has indicated that they do not have adequate cash on hand to continue flying for more than two weeks.

• No investors have stepped forward as far as we are aware. Given what Aloha has to offer, a significant investor is highly unlikely.

• Hawaiian Airlines has a plan in place (we’re told) to increase inter-island flight schedules to accommodate additional passengers.

What you should do:

• If you have already purchased a ticket on Aloha using a credit card, that investment is secure. You will be able to obtain a refund from your credit card company in the event Aloha does not honor that ticket.

• If you haven’t purchased a ticket yet for an upcoming trip, use Hawaiian, IslandAir or Go!.

• If you have AlohaPass miles, consider redeeming them immediately for non-Aloha awards (such as United or IslandAir). If Aloha stops operating, it is unlikely that the AlohaPass program will continue.

The saddest part of this story is that Aloha is one of our state’s largest employers and their demise would mean thousands of lost jobs.

Stay tuned.