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Posted: Friday, October 10th, 2008 4:55 AM HST

Hawaiian: no plans for mainland-Hilo flight

By Associated Press

HILO, Hawaii (AP) _ Hawaiian Airlines says there isn't enough demand to start flying a direct flight between Hilo and the mainland. Hilo International Airport has not had any direct flights to the mainland since ATA Airlines shut down earlier this year. Hawaii County Councilman Stacy Higa says ATA's flights from Hilo to Oakland, Calif. were extremely popular among island residents. Higa says the flights were mostly full. But Hawaiian spokesman, Keoni Wagner, says the carrier's Boeing 767 widebody jets have about 100 more seats than ATA's aircraft. Wagner says filling those seats would be a problem. (Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved)