Mokulele Airlines announces merger with Makani Kai Air

5 June, 2020

Mokulele Airlines, via its official website, announced (Jun-2020) a merger with Makani Kai Air and plans to commence service between Honolulu and Lanai, effective 29-Jun-2020 (Honolulu Star Advertiser, 03-Jun-2020). According to Makani Kai Air's official website, operations will begin combining on 15-Jun-2020, with services and locations to combine with the Mokulele brand during the next few months. Makani Kai Air founder Richard Schuman stated: "We know that in the age of COVID, people want to be on smaller aircraft, with less personal contact, and the ability to bypass crowded terminals and TSA lines". Mr Schuman will reportedly join Mokulele Airlines as EVP. Southern Airways Express COO Keith Sisson mentioned the carriers expect to be "stronger together", adding the inter-island quarantine has made the situation "extremely difficult".