CVB CEO Takes Hawaiian Helm And Sets Course

<I>Hawaiian Airlines has undergone two years of restructuring and new investments. Now on solid footing, the carrier has hired Paul Casey, former president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, as its new president. Casey has a long airline history, having served in several executive positions at Continental Airlines from 1985 to 1994. Before that, he worked for Pan Am.</I> Meetings Today <I>recently caught up with Casey who discussed some of his goals for the airline.</I>

<B>BTN:</B> What is your major objective for Hawaiian Airlines?

<B>Paul Casey:</B> The company is now financially sound and operating well. We want to ensure that expenses don't rise, and I'll be working with employee groups to make sure Hawaiian runs even more smoothly.

<B>BTN:</B> What can be done to enhance transportation side of the meeting and incentives business? Will Hawaiian do anything in this area?

<B>Casey:</B> Hawaiian Airlines will be an active participant in the business that goes into Honolulu's new convention center. We will work with incentive houses, DMCs and the HVCB. No one has had to be too active in that business before; now we will have to be because of the convention center.

<B>BTN:</B> In what areas can improvements be made?

<B>Casey:</B> In technology. For example, we recently purchased Airmax from American Airlines, an automated yield management system that helps maximize revenue per seat.

<B>BTN:</B> Where do you see the greatest growth for Hawaiian--on interisland, in mainland-Hawaii or on international routes?

<B>Casey:</B> The greatest growth potential is through code shares with other carriers that are feeding our mainland-Hawaii and interisland flights.

<B>BTN:</B> What do you plan in the way of marketing?

<B>Casey:</B> We need a larger presence in Asia. We don't have an office in Osaka, Taiwan or Korea, but we plan to correct that quickly.

The growth potential for the state of Hawaii is Asia. We'd also like more partnerships with other carriers and to be more aggressive. Put those three things together, and this will drive the way we market Hawaiian Airlines in the future.

<B>BTN:</B> Do you forsee an improvement in onboard service?

<B>Casey:</B> No. Hawaiian Airlines has won awards for its superb onboard service. In fact, a lot of our marketing activity will highlight our service.

<B>BTN:</B> What did you learn as the head of the HVCB that will help you in your new job?

<B>Casey:</B> I got a fairly detailed understanding of the legislative process. To run a business like Hawaiian Airlines you need to understand the system. I learned that there's a lot of apathy among the population and some areas of government towards inbound travel. I also got a better understand of some of the problems and issues affecting the industry in Hawaii that will help me get a better handle on running the airline.