USA-based Hawaiian has confirmed it will compete in the air cargo market using three ATR 72 freighters operated by Empire Airlines, which also runs Hawaiian’s three-plane ATR 42 passenger fleet.

Scheduled freighter services will start once the second ATR 72 is in place, hopefully by next month (March).

The freighters are LD-3 compatible and as well as exports of Hawaiian goods and perishables, the carrier hopes to tap into the e-commerce and mail markets over time.

 

According to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, inbound airfreight to the state rose 978.5 per cent between 2002 and 2017.