Hawaii fare war erupts as new airline offers inter-island flights

HONOLULU — Aloha Airlines was giving away 1,000 free round-trip tickets today for travel between the Hawaiian islands, part of a fare war on inter-island travel as a third carrier entered that market.

Aloha's giveaway followed the offering of ultra-cheap tickets earlier this week by the new airline "go!" , which began inter-island service today, and Hawaiian Airlines.

Go! and Hawaiian are selling a limited number of tickets through today for

$19 one-way, plus fees and taxes. Go! also is offering a $39 one-way inter-island ticket for summer travel as is Hawaiian Airlines. .

Information

Go! airline : www.iflygo.com

Aloha Airlines : www.alohaairlines.com

Hawaiian Airlines : www.hawaiianair.com

Aloha is calling its free-ticket promotion the "Great Go Away Giveaway," taking a jab at its newest competitor.

"It's not all about price," said Thom Nulty, Aloha's senior vice president of marketing and sales. "Anybody can offer a $19 fare. It's about being an active part of the community and all of the great things Aloha brings to inter-island flying."

Go! on Wednesday announced it was offering a promotional one-way fare of $19, plus fees and taxes, according to parent company Mesa Air Group Inc. The fare was quickly matched by Hawaiian Airlines. The $19 tickets are limited in quantity and only on sale until midnight (Hawaii time) or until they sell out.