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Aloha Airlines Shuts Down

Fierce competition and rising fuel costs push carrier over the edge

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted Mar 31, 2008 7:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – Unable to find a buyer and running out of cash, Hawaii’s ubiquitous Aloha Airlines is shutting down operations after today, idling 1,900 workers and ending more than six decades of island-hopping and transpacific flights, the Honolulu Advertiser reports. The airline filed for bankruptcy March 20 because of rising fuel prices and fierce competition from startup go! airlines.

Aloha, Hawaii’s second-largest carrier, operated some 700 interisland flights and 120 flights to the mainland weekly. Aloha said it is working with code-share partner United Airlines to honor Aloha tickets, and Hawaiian Airlines said it would increase capacity and take as many Aloha passengers as it can for free through April 3.

Tourists disembark from a flight from Maui, Hawaii on go! Airlines at the Honolulu International Airport. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, file)

An Aloha Airlines passenger plane departs the Honolulu International Airport, Sunday. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

A passenger checks in at the Aloha Airlines counter at the Honolulu International Airport, Sunday, in Honolulu. Aloha Airlines said Sunday that it will halt all passenger service after today. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

With a palm tree in the foreground, an Aloha Airlines passenger plane departs the Honolulu International Airport on Sunday. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

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Aloha Airlines Shuts Down

Fierce competition and rising fuel costs push carrier over the edge

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Fierce competition and rising fuel costs push carrier over the edge

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

bankruptcy • airline industry • United Airlines • gas prices • Aloha Airlines • go! Airlines • Hawaiian Airlines

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

American Airlines to Cut 13K Jobs

Airline will emerge from bankruptcy with fewer workers

American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy

Parent firm says voluntary move best choice for firm

Minutes After Takeoff, Flight Returns to New Orleans

United Airlines pilot reported smoke in cockpit

Airline Customer Satisfaction Rises (for Once)

Continental, Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest earn top marks

Continental, United Merging Into World's Biggest Airline

New behemoth hopes to turn around losses

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

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What is Newser?