Island Air is set to start its Hilo (ITO)-Kona (KOA) service this weekend. A 21-minute flight instead of a 2-hour drive (though you have to add a chunk of time for airport check-in and security procedures).
There are quite a few Hilo-Kona commuters, so I can see it succeeding on commuters alone. But since Kona is now the preferred non-stop destination for flights to the Big Island from the West Coast, it'll be a conveninent 'jump' for tourists to make when they want to see the volcano, but don't want to stay on the Hilo side.
Actually, I wonder if this flight means more or less business for Hilo hotels? Hmm.
There are quite a few Hilo-Kona commuters, so I can see it succeeding on commuters alone. But since Kona is now the preferred non-stop destination for flights to the Big Island from the West Coast, it'll be a conveninent 'jump' for tourists to make when they want to see the volcano, but don't want to stay on the Hilo side.
Actually, I wonder if this flight means more or less business for Hilo hotels? Hmm.
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