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Posted: Wednesday, July 18th, 2012 8:50 AM HST

Hawaiian Airlines to add turboprop planes

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's dominant airline will be able to fly to smaller airports in an attempt to compete with other interisland carriers. Hawaiian Airlines says it plans to acquire turboprop planes that seat 50 or fewer passengers to fly to smaller airports such as West Maui, Lanai and Molokai. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Wednesday Island Air would be most affected by the move. Currently the state's largest turboprop operator, Island Air averages 48 flights a day primarily to smaller airports. Other interisland airline competitors say Hawaiian's plans are concerning. The expansion comes as the airline is also extending its reach internationally. Hawaiian also announced it is lowering interisland ticket prices from 4 to 25 percent.