Southwest to launch flights from Las Vegas to this area of Hawaii

Southwest to launch flights from Las Vegas to this area of Hawaii Southwest Airlines will begin three-times-weekly nonstop service between Las Vegas and Hilo, Hawaii, starting August 6. Departures from Harry Reid International Airport are scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m., with arrival in Hilo at 12:35 p.m. local time. The return flight leaves Hilo at 8:45 p.m., arriving in Las Vegas at 5:10 a.m. the following day. The route, first announced in December, marks the second nonstop connection between Las Vegas and the Big Island of Hawaii. It joins existing Southwest service to Kona, Honolulu, Lihue and Kahului. The airline also operates interisland flights linking those airports. “We heard you, Hilo,” said Adam Decaire, Southwest Airlines senior vice president of network planning and network operations control. “Las Vegas is important to you, and you’re important to us. This service gets you faster to family and fun in Nevada where you also can access casual connections on Southwest to many of the 75 places that we serve nonstop from Las Vegas with as many as 272 departures a day.” Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda welcomed the addition. “When I took office, I pledged to fortify ties with the ‘Ninth Island’ — Las Vegas, where many Hawaii-born residents live. Southwest’s renewed service shows its dedication. Quicker flights across the Pacific mean more convenience for our local families and another opportunity to support our hometown airline.” Las Vegas is often called the Ninth Island because of its sizable Native Hawaiian community. The new Hilo service is part of a broader expansion for the busiest carrier at Harry Reid International Airport. Southwest is adding nonstop flights from Las Vegas to 11 destinations and increasing frequency on 15 existing routes. Las Vegas remains one of only two Southwest cities offering nonstop service to Anchorage, Alaska.