Interisland fare war cuts ticket prices to $39
Mesa Air Group, the Phoenix-based company that is starting a competing interisland carrier, said it will start selling fares today at $39 for a one-way trip. In response, both Hawaiian and Aloha airlines moved quickly yesterday to lower their fares to match Mesa's deal.
Hawaiian and Aloha said late yesterday they will reduce their one-way fares to $39 for travel between June 9 and Sept. 30. Both local airlines set a deadline of April 7 for buying the fares.
"We're pleased to be catalysts for this kind of change and opening air travel up to people," said Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and chief executive of Mesa.
Mesa will offer the fares during its first 90 days here and it may extend the offer, Ornstein said.
Meanwhile, Mesa and Hawaiian are also battling in court. Hawaiian has sued to delay Mesa from coming here, alleging Mesa used Hawaiian's confidential internal business information in forming its plans. Mesa has countersued Hawaiian, alleging the incumbent carrier violated antitrust laws.