Even as West Maui prepares to reopen on October 8, there could be significant headwinds ahead, at least in the short term. For now, that was just evidenced with one airline that has decided to pare back its key Maui routes from two major hub gateways.
Maui’s fire recovery timing is uncertain.
Even as the state and businesses are pleading with Maui visitors to return to West Maui effective October 8, and the rest of Maui immediately, that is not yet happening. Following the catastrophic Lahaina fire, visitors were ushered off the island entirely, and ongoing concerns about both timing and being welcome have left many unsure and so far not returning.
Maui visitor count is running about one-half of normal.
Last year at this time, Maui saw up to 8,000 visitor arrivals daily. As of this past week, that has been running at no more than 3,000 visitors. While that’s an improvement over the virtual stoppage of arrivals following the fire, it isn’t enough to sustain Maui businesses and their employees.
These Delta Maui flights are removed from its schedule.
For the time being, Delta Air Lines has stopped flights from Minneapolis to Maui and from Atlanta to Maui. Passengers will either need to change to interisland flights in Honolulu, or change planes on the mainland. Delta continues to fly to Maui nonstop from both Los Angeles and Seattle. Delta nonstop flights from Salt Lake City to Maui are set to resume from December through March, at least at this time. Those flights are priced as low as $174 each way, for flights in January and after.
Delta Air Lines has Maui deals to help bring back customers.
The airline is offering nonstop Maui flights this fall from Los Angeles for as little as $99 each way including all taxes and fees. Nonstop Maui flights from Seattle are as little as $129 each way, also this fall.
The message is clear that airlines and Maui businesses all want to help bring visitors back to the island following the Lahaina fire. Can Maui count on you to return again soon?
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