HONOLULU — Hawaiian Airlines has announced it will suspend long-haul passenger service in response to the state’s quarantine order.

Coinciding with the news is a newly-announced 14-day self-quarantine policy for all arriving visitors and residents, starting at 12:01 a.m. March 26, to support the state’s efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“Hawaii is a unique destination compared to any other U.S. state due to our isolated location and limited medical resources,” says Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO Chris Tatum. “We are very concerned about the capacity of Hawaii’s healthcare system to adequately care for our residents during this pandemic. This action will reduce the strain on our resources.”

As the islands prepare for quarantine, Hawaiian Airlines will focus on repatriation efforts. It will maintain its regular flight schedule through Wednesday to allow guests to return home before finalizing significant reductions of its domestic and international passenger network.

“We also expect that many hotels in Hawaii will suspend their operations as they manage through this unprecedented crisis, resulting in the need to assist current visitors with making arrangements to return home earlier than anticipated,” says Tatum.

The airline, which has begun notifying guests about the quarantine rule, has restricted passenger bookings on its network while it finalizes its April schedule. Hawaiian says it will continue to operate one daily nonstop flight between Honolulu (HNL) and Los Angeles (LAX) and its Thursday flight between HNL and American Samoa (PPG) in order to provide a baseline of out-of-state access. The airline will evaluate its transpacific cargo network and may provide passenger access on any additional flights for travellers willing to undergo the mandated self-imposed quarantine.

Hawaiian will also be reducing its neighbour island schedule – starting with the suspension of ‘Ohana by Hawaiian service between Honolulu and Kapalua in West Maui effective March 25, 2020 – but intends to maintain a network that will continue to provide vital connectivity for guests travelling within the state. Interisland cargo service will continue uninterrupted.

“As Hawaii’s airline, we take our role to connect the islands with each other and with the U.S. mainland very seriously,” says Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram. “This schedule is designed to maintain a minimum level of connectivity for residents’ important needs. We will be ready to resume our schedule when the quarantine has been lifted.”

For more information go to https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/.