Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire
Tuesday, March 31, 1998
Bank ATMs dispense Hawaiian Air coupons
Hawaiian Airlines Inc. has started selling flight coupons through automated teller machines, hooking up with Bank of Hawaii in a move the two companies say will improve customer convenience.Coupons for Hawaiian's interisland flights are now available at more than 140 Bankoh ATM machines throughout the state. Hawaiian president Paul Casey yesterday said the partnership is one of several new marketing strategies the company is using to expand sales and cut into the margin of interisland travel leader Aloha Airlines.
The ATM sales were opposed by local travel agents, who said the move would eat into their business. "There is no intent to take business away from travel agents," Casey said.
Bank of Hawaii spokeswoman Linda Chinn said the program helps make customers more comfortable with using ATMs for things other than to get money.
U.S. chides Japan, EU for trade practices
WASHINGTON -- Japan and the European Union were singled out by the Clinton administration today for the most criticism among trading partners accused of erecting unfair barriers to U.S. exports.The 1998 "National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers" covered alleged improper activities of 49 countries and three trading groups. The report puts countries on notice that they could be subject to potential U.S. economic sanctions if they do not mend their ways.
In reality, the number of nations actually selected for intensive negotiations aimed at removing the offending barriers is much smaller than the initial list, which the administration is required by law to release before April 1 each year.