SANTA MARIA - Just months after taking off to Hawaii from Santa Maria Airport for the first time, Allegiant has canceled all flights to Honolulu for the month of February.
A spokesperson says Allegiant Air is doing what its always done, responding to customer demand for flights, in this case a lack of demand for flights to Hawaii from Santa Maria during the month of February.
Allegiant launched its one flight a week to and from Honolulu from last November and it was met with a popular response.
Now that the holiday travel season is over, Allegiant is suspending the Hawaii flight until the middle of March.
"We don't necessarily see this as any sort of indication that Honolulu is not doing well or this particular route is not doing well", says Allegiant Air spokesperson Jessica Wheeler, "we see this as an indication that people may not be excited about going on vacation in the middle of February."
Allegiant says its Hawaii service is more popular this time of year in other areas of the country.
"We're going to put the flights where people want them", Wheeler says, "and not use the resources when there is just no desire to go."
Allegiant Air says it will increase the number of flights to Honolulu out of Santa Maria Airport to match the demand, which could happen as early as this summer.
Allegiant says it made the decision to suspend February flights awhile ago, and since most booking is done online, the company does not expect it impact many customers.
Allegiant says anyone who was affected by the February blackout has either been given a full refund for their ticket or has been moved to depart for Honolulu from another airport.
