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Business Briefs

Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire

Friday, May 12, 2000

Island Air to retire last Dash 6 planes

Island Air, the commuter affiliate of Aloha Airlines, said it will retire its last three 18-passenger de Havilland Dash 6 planes later this month. By June, the carrier will be flying a five-aircraft fleet made up entirely of Dash 8 models, each carrying 37 passengers.

Island Air leased its latest two Dash 8 planes through Willis Lease Finance Corp. The airline took delivery of one late last month and expects another in late May. It put its first Dash 8 in service in April 1995. Its Dash 6 pilots will be trained to operate the Dash 8 in time for the peak summer season, the airline said. Island Air's turboprop fleet services Hawaii's smaller airports, such as Lanai City, Kapalua-West Maui and Hoolehua on Mokokai.

American Air plans Dallas-Maui service

American Airlines will launch daily nonstop service between its Dallas/Fort Worth base and Kahului, Maui, on Nov. 22.

The airline said it will use Boeing 767-300 wide-body jets on the route.

American already has a daily Los Angeles-Maui service, in addition to its two daily Dallas/Forth Worth-Honolulu flights, twice-daily Los Angeles-Honolulu service, and daily San Francisco-Honolulu, Chicago-Honolulu and San Jose-Honolulu service.

HVCB's roadshow to travel to China

The Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau will be saying "Aloha China" this month as it promotes Hawaii tourism, cuisine and culture in Shanghai and Nanjing.

The program starts with a luncheon next Friday at the Hilton Shanghai Hotel for officials, travel agents and news media. The luncheon will include the cuisine of Jean Marie Josselin, owner and executive chef of A Pacific Cafe restaurants on Oahu and Maui. Similar luncheons will be held there through May 28.

The promotion then moves to Nanjing May 30 through June 5. The HVCB said it expects to attract a total of at least 8,000 people to the hotel events.

Hawaii performers will also put on shows for the general public.