Southwest Airlines’ long-anticipated Hawaii flight launch is finally moving forward again after the government shutdown.
The airline started Oakland-Honolulu validation test flights.
This is a prerequisite for ‘ETOPS’ accreditation for long distance flights over water.
The only passengers onboard were FAA safety inspectors.
The airline is in a rush to restart preparations for its launch which has been held up as FAA workers were furloughed by the government shutdown.
Southwest has hinted it may be ready to start flying by March but is in ‘wait and see’ mode as the current government funding agreement is only until February 15.
Southwest plans to fly to Hawaii from Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and San Diego, and may also operate interisland flights at a later time, it said.
