Makani Kai Air will begin regularly scheduled air service between Honolulu and Princeville Airport on Kauai Wednesday, May 1st.
The airline announced today that it will offer twice daily round trips between Princeville and Honolulu for $125 each way.
“Residents of Kauai’s North Shore have not seen regular air service since Island Air ceased operations to Princeville Airport in 1997,” said Richard Schuman, owner of Makani Kai Air.
“We have had many encouraging discussions with members of the community who very much want to re-establish a direct connection to Honolulu. The convenience of direct flights cannot be overstated.”
The airline will provide service with a twin-engine Piper Chieftain that can accommodate nine passengers. The total flight time between airports is approximately 48 minutes.
Convenient short and long-term parking is available both at Princeville Airport and at Makani Kai’s Honolulu terminal at 100 Kaulele Place.
Rental cars are available through Avis at the Princeville Airport.
In Honolulu, Makani Kai Air provides a free shuttle service to the main terminal for those who have connecting flights.
Princeville Airport, which opened in 1977, at one time offered daily air service to Honolulu by Makani Kai Air Begins Service to Princeville.
Princeville Airways and then by Island Air. Peak travel came in 1994 when some 27,943 passengers used the airport.
“Historically speaking, the Princeville area has shown an appetite for direct air service to Honolulu,” said Schuman, “Our customers appreciate not having to fight traffic into Lihue, not having to go through a TSA line, and they appreciate our fixed airfare, which doesn’t change from day to day. There are no surprises over what our airfare might be on a holiday weekend or any other time.”
Located at 130 Iolana Place on Lagoon Drive, Makani Kai Air is on the other side of the airport, away from the terminals and traffic congestion. Passengers are encouraged to arrive just 15 minutes prior to departure.
Makani Kai Air, an FAA 135 scheduled air carrier, was established by Schuman Aviation Company, Ltd., in 2009. The parent company also operates Magnum Helicopters, often featured in the CBS crime dramas Magnum PI and Hawaii Five-0.
The aviation company operates seven Cessna Grand Caravan turbine aircraft, a Piper Chieftain twin-engine airplane, a Eurocopter AS-350 A-Star, and three MD-500 helicopters.
Makani Kai Air is Hawaii’s authorized Cessna Service Center and is an FAA certified 145 Repair Station.
The company has twice been awarded the Essential Air Service contract for Kalaupapa.
