Hawaiian Airlines launches Sapporo, Japan nonstops
Oct 31, 2012 (Menafn - AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION via COMTEX) --U.S.-based Hawaiian Airlines HA said it has launched its inaugural flight from Honolulu to Sapporo, Japan, and restored nonstop service between the two cities that had been discontinued by other carriers nine years earlier.
Passengers of the inaugural flight enjoyed a festive island-style send-off at Honolulu International Airport before boarding, featuring Hawaiian music and hula, a traditional Hawaiian blessing, presentation of fresh flower lei, and a special performance honoring the Japanese culture, the airline said.
The capital city of the island of Hokkaido, Japan's second-largest and northernmost island, Sapporo is Japan's fourth-largest city with a population of 1.9m.
Sapporo is renowned for its ski resorts the city hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics and the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival, which annually attracts m s of visitors each February to see its spectacular snow and ice sculptures.
Hawaiian Airlines said that its Honolulu-Sapporo service is adding 41,000 new air seats to the market annually and the benefit to Hawai'i's visitor industry will be significant, according to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
The airline's Flight HA 441 departs Honolulu International Airport on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 2: 45 p.m., crosses the international dateline, and arrives atSapporo's New Chitose Airport at 7:00 p.m. the following day.
Hawaiian said that the return flight HA 442 departs Sapporo on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 9:30 p.m., crosses the international dateline, and arrives in Honolulu at 9: 55 a.m. the same day.
The airline said it will operate its Honolulu-Sapporo flights offering the comfort and roominess of its wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300ER aircraft seating 264 passengers, with 18 in Business Class and 246 in the Main Cabin.
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