Hawaiian interisland carrier Island Air has announced it is scrapping flights to Molokai from the beginning of April.
The airline, wholly owned by Larry Ellison, Oracle Corp. CEO, will run its final Honolulu-Molokai flights on April 1.
Ellison bought Island Air early last year several months after concluding a deal to buy 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai.
Local tourism officials believe Ellison’s main priority is to develop transport links and tourism on Lanai Island, including the two Four Seasons resort hotels he owns.
Island Air’s move comes just days after Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland subsidiary, Ohana by Hawaiian, officially announced it would begin flying to Molokai from March 11.
Island Air also flies daily to Kauai and Maui.
According to a statement from Island Air, affected employees based at Molokai will be offered job transfers and customers with confirmed tickets for travel after April 1 will be refunded or accommodated on other carriers.
