Hawaii’s Island Air closed the sale of the airline in late February to a newly formed holding company owned by the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Oracle, Larry Ellison. Island Air said it plans no staff changes and will continue its operations as usual while it maps out routes, airplane acquisitions and services.
Island Air
February 4, 2013 - 5:10am
Hawaii’s Island Air announced last month that it has entered into an agreement it believes will lead to sale of the company to an undisclosed buyer.
“This is a great opportunity for the future of the company,” said Les Murashige, Island Air’s president. “The company has gone through a number of challenges recently and a new owner will bring a fresh perspective to the company.”
Those challenges include delays in pressing into service a fleet of newly acquired ATR 72-200s and direct competitive threats posed by a new rival ATR operation planned by Hawaiian Airlines.
December 4, 2012 - 3:35am
Hawaiian Airlines’ parent company has begun the process of creating a new regional subsidiary to serve the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Lanai with a used ATR 42 it bought in late October from Dublin, Ireland’s ASL Aviation Group. A separate purchase agreement between the two companies called for delivery of another ATR 42 last month.
October 2, 2012 - 5:40am
Hawaii’s Island Air signed a letter of intent with Chicago’s Aerway Leasing last month to lease five ATR 42s, the first two of which the airline expects to arrive in Honolulu by the end of this year and the final three next summer.
August 13, 2012 - 1:50pm
As Hawaii’s Island Air enters a whole new phase of life this summer with the roll-out of a complete image and brand overhaul, half a world away Franco-Italian airframe maker ATR can add another regional carrier to its growing list of turboprop operators. By around the start of next month the long-time de Havilland Dash 8 operator officially begins the process of trading equipment allegiances with delivery of its first ex-American Eagle ATR 72-212, now undergoing a C-Check at Premier Aviation in Trois Rivieres, Quebec.
March 29, 2011 - 9:10am
An Air Canada affiliate plans to launch operations from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on May 1, posing the first competition from the controversial downtown island airfield for incumbent regional carrier Porter Airlines since it launched operations in 2006.
May 27, 2010 - 11:40am
With conversion of an MOU signed in February, Bombardier last month inked a firm contract with Air Canada regional partner Jazz Air covering 15 Q400 turboprops.
May 27, 2010 - 11:32am
Toronto-based Bombardier Q400 operator Porter Airlines plans to issue a $120 million initial public offering as it prepares for expected competition from Air Canada Jazz at the downtown Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
April 30, 2010 - 9:46am
Bombardier inked a firm contract with Air Canada regional partner Jazz Air covering 15 Q400 turboprops, the Canadian manufacturer announced today. The order represents a conversion of an MOU signed in February.
July 8, 2008 - 9:56am
Hawaiian de Havilland Dash 8 operator IslandAir withdrew from a newly awarded Essential Air Service (EAS) contract to serve four mainland communities from Kansas City last month after deeming its plans to start operations in September “unrealistic” due to rising fuel costs and a shortage of trained personnel.
