JAL gets OK to
boost Kona flight schedule

The approval is for 6 months,
but might be extended

Associated Press

HONOLULU -- Japan Airlines is being allowed to increase its flights from Tokyo to Kona from three to seven per week for at least the next six months, the governor's office says.

Gov. Ben Cayetano, who is in Asia, issued a statement yesterday praising the U.S. Department of Transportation's decision, saying it is a great boost to the economy of the Big Island and the state.

The governor said he hopes the federal government will extend the flight privilege indefinitely.

JAL has been flying three 747 flights a week since June first of last year. The carrier is expected to add a fourth flight in early June with additional flights based on demand, the governor's office said.

The three flights were projected to pump at least $183 million a year into Hawaii's economy.

The Transportation Department is allowing JAL permission to swap its current allotment of seven weekly flights to Atlanta with its three weekly flights to Kona, the governor's office said.

A new $3 million international arrival facility at Kona has been completed to accommodate the additional flights.

There is also $31 million in the new state budget to build an international terminal at the Kona Airport.