Southwest Airlines could be coming to the Aloha State very soon.
The Dallas-based low-cost carrier expects to begin selling tickets for travel to Hawaii in 2018 and plans to launch an application process for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization for Extended Operations (ETOPS) to operate regular flights between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii.
The airline didn't reveal any specific details about potential routes to and from the popular vacation destination, only pointing out that service details will be announced at a later date.
However, Southwest's executive vice president and chief revenue officer, Andrew Watterson, told the Los Angeles Times that the FAA's approval for long-term service to Hawaii could take one to two years. He added that the airline would likely fly most of its routes from California to Kauai, Honolulu and the island of Hawaii.
"Hawaii is an important place for Southwest Airlines because so many people count on us to take them everywhere they want to go reliably and affordably," Southwest chairman and CEO, Gary Kelly, told company employees at an event in Southern California. "We're ready and excited to address a request we've heard for years."
Southwest's announcement comes just days after it debuted the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which the carrier will likely use to operate flights to the Hawaiian islands. Southwest is currently operating nine MAX 8s and expects to have 14 in service by the end of the year.
The aircraft is less noisy and more fuel efficient than other models.
Southwest President Tom Nealon said the airline's new service will be "a game-changer in the U.S.-to-Hawaii market during an announcement from Honolulu's Waikiki Beach.
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Fans of Hawaii will be hoping the carrier's entry into the new market will lower the cost of getting there as the increased competition and Southwest's low fares could force other airlines to adapt.
"We anticipate fares will drop," Watterson told the Times.
Currently, travelers can book extra low fares with Southwest on a variety of domestic and international routes during the airline's 72-hour sale, which ends at midnight Thursday.
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