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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, March 31, 2008

Major events in Aloha Airlines' history

Photo gallery: Historic Aloha Airlines photos

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

A merger was attempted between Aloha and Hawaiian in 2001 but was called off in 2002.

Advertiser library photos

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THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS WERE AMONG THOSE POSTED AT HONOLULUADVERTISER.COM

"Aloha Airlines and its employees — thank you for many wonderful years of service and friendliness in the skies of Hawaii."

"My time at Aloha was brief but I will always cherish the experience of working at a company with such genuine people in a family oriented nature."

"As an employee of Hawaiian Airlines, my heart goes out to all of my family, friends and flying partners across the ramp at ALOHA AIRLINES. Throughout the years we have had a "love-hate relationship" with them, but in it, we supported each other. I still can not fathom ALOHA closing. Its an end of an era. Like mourning a loss of someone so dear. I will miss your friendly "hellos" as we pass each other while walking to our gates. ... My heart goes out to each of you. ... You and your 'ohana are in my prayers.... Aloha ALOHA"

"My condolences to the employees of Aloha. I lost my job once before and there went my savings. I managed to stay afloat because of some of my relatives who helped me with my bills. I survived by staying positive. I feel for you guys because I have been there."

"Today is a sad day for the Aloha employees. I have been flying with Aloha for a long time and I ALWAYS enjoyed the "beautiful smiles" from the workers when we would arrive at the airport. My brother and his girlfriend are flight attendants. I can't imagine what a "lost" feeling it is to one day hear that you do not have a JOB anymore. I will be their support and I hope all of the employees have a STRONG family support also. ..."

"It is very sad to hear that Aloha Airlines is shutting their doors on Monday. Best wishes to Aloha airlines ohana, we love you and miss your service."

"I am so Deeply Saddened. My family has only traveled Aloha Airlines. We are what you would call loyal customers. We do not want to travel on any other airlines but Aloha. ... To the families of Aloha airlines you have our deepest sympathy. We wish you all the Best. We Will Miss You Aloha!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"A very sad ending to a long and wonderful era. I feel for the employees and for the former employees that built this airline many years ago."

"To all of the people of the great state of Hawai'i, thanks for all the support and to the leaders of the state thanks for trying your best for the company!! As a FORMER employee, I would like to address my former workers, GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE TO WORK WITH YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE, my 11 years with the company was the best times of my life and it definitely changed my life working with you all!!!"

"It's really a sad day for Hawai'i should Aloha shut down. I hope that some miracle will occur tomorrow and the state comes through realizing how much of an impact this will have."

"Aloha Dear Aloha Airlines. ... As flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines, I am so sorry to hear of your closing. What a sad in our island history. I will hold you all in my prayers. ... God Bless Aloha. ... A hui hou. ..."

"My wife just lost her job as of today (3-30-08). Thank you Aloha Airlines for giving my wife the opportunity to work for an airline that has been in business for 61 years. It is unfortunate that this had to come to the light of things, but I'm sure that one day you'll be flying the Hawaiian skies again in the future as a new company/airline. ... Thank You!"

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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1946: Trans-Pacific Airlines' inaugural flight. The first plane was a war-surplus DC-3.

1958: Dr. Hung Wo Ching takes over management, changes the carrier's name to Aloha Airlines. With the change came a new aircraft, the Jetprop F-27.

1969: Fleet replaced with Boeing 737s.

1972: Merger negotiations with Hawaiian Airlines break off.

1976: California-based Air Service Co. buys an interest in Aloha Airlines and announces bid to take control. The bid fails.

1984: Sister carrier Aloha Pacific formed and starts DC-10 service to Taipei, Taiwan.

1985: Taipei service halted. Aloha refocuses on interisland market and diversifies into air cargo service.

1986: Takeover attempt by Dallas-based CNS Partners fails. Aloha's board decides to take the company private.

1987: Leveraged buyout completed, led by longtime board members Hung Wo Ching and Sheridan Ing. Parent company switches from Delaware to Hawai'i registration and changes its name to Aloha Airgroup Inc.

1988: Adds two jets and 60 jobs in response to passenger business and interisland air freight.

1992: Suffers first financial loss since 1985 because of Hurricane Iniki.

1994: Glenn Zander takes over as president and chief executive officer.

1996: Decision to move to a fleet of Boeing 737-200s helps produce a net profit of $3.6 million.

2000: Begins service to Oakland, Calif., from Honolulu and Maui. Loses $4.3 million because of rising fuel costs and aggressive Mainland expansion.

2001: Begins service to Orange County, Calif. Trims interisland flights by 26 percent and lays off about 250 employees in response to drastic drop in travel after 9/11 terror attacks.

December 2001: Announces intention to merge with Hawaiian Airlines, saying a single carrier will be able to prosper in the market in a way the two could not. Greg Brenneman, a former Continental Airlines executive, is named to head the new airline.

March 2002: Hawaiian calls off the proposed merger with Aloha, citing delays and saying terms of agreement were not being met. Aloha President Glenn Zander says Hawaiian Chairman John Adams wanted to run the new airline himself instead of letting Brenneman take over.

April 2002: Aloha boosts its Mainland routes to include service from Honolulu to Burbank, Calif., and Vancouver, British Columbia. Aloha later adds service between Maui and Burbank, Phoenix and Vancouver.

September 2002: Aloha and Hawaiian airlines receive federal approval for a controversial antitrust exemption, clearing the way for the two carriers to begin coordinating capacity on several key interisland routes.

November 2002: Aloha wins approval for a $45 million loan guarantee from the federal Air Transportation Stabilization Board. Aloha is one of 13 carriers to seek assistance under a program approved by Congress after the 9/11 attacks.

November 2002: Aloha reaches agreement with four of its unions on pay cuts and contract extensions covering 3,000 workers that the airline said would save it $37 million in labor costs over three years.

December 2002: Aloha begins twice-a-week nonstop service between Honolulu and the Cook Islands.

March 2003: Hawaiian Airlines files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

April 2003: Aloha reports a net loss of $43 million in 2002, surpassing its $11.1 million loss the previous year.

May 2004: Aloha reports a net profit of $1.18 million for 2003.

June 2004: Aloha eliminates first-class service after becoming the first Hawai'i-based airline to offer the premium seating 21 years earlier.

November 2004: David Banmiller, a former top executive with Air Jamaica, replaces Glenn Zander as president and CEO of Aloha.

Dec. 30, 2004: Aloha files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

May 17, 2005: Aloha reports a net loss of $30.4 million in 2004.

Feb. 17, 2006: Aloha exits bankruptcy 14 months after filing for Chapter 11 protection.

April 28, 2006: Aloha terminates pensions of nearly 4,000 of its employees and retirees and turned the plans over to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.

May 2006: Aloha reports an $18.5 million net loss in 2005.

GO! A NEW CARRIER IN 2006

June 9, 2006: go! airlines enters the interisland airline market with $39 one-way fares.

Aug. 30, 2006: Gordon Bethune, who led the turnaround at Continental Airlines, is named chairman of Aloha and its parent company.

Oct. 13, 2006: Aloha sues Mesa Air Group, alleging the Phoenix-based parent of the new interisland carrier go! misused confidential information in an attempt to drive Aloha out of business. The suit goes to trial in October.

May 3, 2007: United Airlines announces it will acquire a minority stake in Aloha Airlines, providing the struggling local carrier with the backing of the nation's second-largest airline.

May 11, 2007: Aloha reports a net loss of $40.5 million in 2006.

Feb. 19, 2008: Crude oil prices close above $100 a barrel for the first time.

March 20, 2008: Aloha files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in just over three years.

March 30: Aloha announces it will shut down passenger operations after March 31.