Southwest’s CEO Bucks Skeptics With Hawaii Flights ‘Ready to Roll’
- Kelly says airline is ‘very close’ to FAA flight approval
- Carrier would start service within weeks of green light
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Southwest Airlines Co. is confident about prospects for its coming service to Hawaii, despite declining fares to the islands and a rival’s report of weak demand.
“Hawaii forecasts very well for us. We have, obviously, no thought of deviating from our plan,” Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said in an interview Thursday. The company is “very close” to gaining approval for extended flights above the Pacific from California and expects to begin service during the peak winter season, he said.