Hirono Applauds Decision to Award Hawaiian Airlines Daytime Route to Haneda

Senator Mazie K. Hirono applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) for finalizing its decision to award Hawaiian Airlines a daytime slot to fly directly from Honolulu International Airport to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono worked with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to increase the number of flights between the U.S. and Haneda to five round trip flights during the day and one round trip flight at night. In May, DOT awarded Hawaiian Airlines a nighttime route between Haneda and Kona International Airport.

“As a longtime advocate for more air access between Hawaii and Japan, I want to thank Secretary Fox and his team for reaching this decision. This new scheduled route will not only benefit Hawaii’s visitor industry, but also strengthen our local economy,” said Senator Hirono. “I also want to congratulate Hawaiian Airlines, whose reputation in serving markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region will be further enhanced by these additional routes to Haneda.”

Senator Hirono has been a strong and consistent advocate for expanding flights to Hawaii within the Asia-Pacific since she urged U.S. and Japanese officials to open Haneda to international flights during her time as Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor. In the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, Senator Hirono has led efforts advocating for more air routes betwee Hawaii routes from Japan – which is the largest source of foreign visitors to Hawaii every year.