HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaiian Airlines says it's completed its application to the federal government to fly nonstop from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Kona International Airport on the Big Island.
The airline said Thursday its application included 175 letters of support from businesses and individuals in Hawaii.
CEO Mark Dunkerley says the daily route would bring an additional $74 million into the state and U.S. economies every year. He says it would support 1,400 jobs, mostly on the Big Island.
Japan Airlines once flew nonstop from Tokyo to Kona but ended the route two years ago.
Hawaiian is competing against three other airlines. Delta Air Lines wants to fly from Tokyo to Seattle, American Airlines Tokyo to Los Angeles, and United Airlines Tokyo to San Francisco.
