Hawaiian's profits dip amid ongoing competitive strain

Aircraft delivery delays, increased competition, severe weather and a volcanic eruption helped to push down Hawaiian Holdings' financial results in 2018. Though some of these factors will continue to put pressure on returns in 2019, executives say Hawaiian is responding by cutting costs, trimming capacity and rolling out new "basic" economy fares. Hawaiian CE Peter Ingram described Hawaiian's results as admirable under difficult operating circumstances. "Given the increased competitive capacity we faced entering 2018 and higher fuel prices, I'm not sure many expected us to be able to deliver results like this," he added. The company, which owns operating unit Hawaiian Airlines, earned an operating profit of US$314m in 2018, down 32% year-on-year. <br/>