The Federal Aviation Administration has acknowledged the federal government’s partial shutdown is holding up Southwest Airlines’ keenly awaited launch to Hawaii.
Flights linking San Diego, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose to Hawaii were initially planned for 2018.
"Southwest’s certification to approve operations to Hawaii is delayed during this time because of the partial shutdown," Gregory Martin, the agency’s assistant administrator for communications said.
Before the shutdown CEO Gary Kelly said the airline was ‘very close’ to completing all regulatory approvals, hinting it was just weeks away.
Aviation inspectors are absent because of the shutdown, which has dragged on for more than three weeks.
Stalled certification of new routes was one of the issues cited in a letter to the President signed by more than 30 aviation and travel industry groups.
These include ALPA and the US Travel Association.
