HAWAIIAN AIRLINES, INC. REPORTS SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTH FINANCIAL RESULTS

Press Release: Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.

August 12, 1999
HONOLULU, HI--Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA) yesterday announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 1999.

The company reported operating income of $4.4 million for the quarter, compared to operating income of $6.1 million in the same period last year. Net income for the second quarter was $1.9 million or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to $2.9 million, or $0.07 per diluted share for the same quarter last year. The results represent the company's fifth consecutive quarter of operating and net profits.

Total operating revenues in the second quarter of 1999 increased 12.2 percent to $122.3 million as compared to $109.0 million in the same period last year. Total operating expenses increased 14.6 percent in the quarter, primarily reflecting the company's additional Transpacific capacity and preparations for the August 28 inauguration of new Los Angeles-Tahiti charter flights for Renaissance Cruises.

Paul J. Casey, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, ``We are pleased to report such strong top line growth in the second quarter. This growth resulted from our first full quarter operating a new Los Angeles-Maui-Kona route and increased average yield generated by our successful pricing methodology and yield management efforts. However, the improvement in revenues was offset by expenses related to operational expansion consistent with our 1999 growth paln, which projects a 20 percent year-over-year increase in capacity. Incremental labor and training costs incurred to support this expansion accounted for a million dollars in expense during the second quarter.

``Hawaiian's strong position in the Westbound market continues to hold us in good stead we are encouraged by signs of continued strength in western U.S. economies. We are seeing record load factors this summer, and advanced bookings are well ahead of last year's pace,'' Casey said.

Preliminary Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB) statistics for the first six months of 1999 show a 0.6 percent increase in total visitor arrivals to the State of Hawaii, compared to a 0.9 percent decrease during the first half of 1998. Continuing a trend in recent months, Westbound visitors accounted for much of the overall improvement with an increase of 5.4 percent over 1998 first half arrivals. By contrast, Eastbound visitor counts decreased 7.7 percent over the year-earlier period.

Operating Results

While the total number of passengers carried by the company increased by 5.3 percent to 1.4 million in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, higher capacity resulted in a decrease in load factor of three percentage points. Scheduled passenger revenues increased 11.5 percent to $101.6 million, fueled primarily by a $9.9 million increase in Transpacific (Mainland U.S.-Hawaii) revenues driven by higher yields and an 8 percent increase in Transpacific revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and passengers carried.

Despite the decrease in load factor, total revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 1.2 percent to 7.9 cents during the second quarter of 1999 over the second quarter of 1998. Total revenue passenger miles (RPMs) for scheduled and charter operations during the second quarter increased 7.3 percent to 1.2 billion RPMs, while available seat miles (ASMs) increased 11.0 percent to 1.6 billion ASMs compared to 1998 second quarter levels. Cost per available seat mile (CASM) increased 3.1 percent in the quarter to 7.6 cents compared to 7.3 cents per ASM during the 1998 quarter, primarily as a result of increased wages, benefits and training expense.

For the first six months of 1999, operating income increased 41 percent to $5.8 million versus $4.1 million last year. Net income increased 45.5 percent to $2.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to $1.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share for the same period in 1998. Total operating revenues increased 11 percent to $232.3 million, from $209.2 million in the same period last year. Total operating expenses during the first half of the year increased to $226.5 million from $205.1 million for the same period in 1998, primarily reflecting an overall increase in ASMs of 7.5 percent.

The 1999 first half results reflect improved cash flow with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increasing from approximately $10.3 million in the first half of 1998 to $13.6 million in the first half of 1999. The Company reported cash, cash equivalents and cash held as collateral of $56.4 million as of June 30, 1999, compared to $37.4 million as of December 31, 1998.

During the second quarter of 1999, Hawaiian Airlines accomplished several initiatives designed to improve its competitive position, including:

Inaugurated First Class service on all interisland flights April 1, 1999.
Introduced e-Ticketing for interisland flights on April 5, 1999. E-Ticketing will be available for flights systemwide by October 1, 1999.
Welcomed career aviation maintenance executive John L. Ryan to the position of Vice President - Maintenance and Engineering on April 9, 1999.
Welcomed veteran airline operations executive Michael R. Schwab to oversee daily flight operations as Senior Vice President - Operations on April 14, 1999.
Excluding the non-cash amortization of excess reorganization value (ERV), an intangible asset resulting from the company's financial restructuring in 1994, and the income tax provisions recorded as a reduction of ERV, earnings per share would have been $0.10 for the second quarter and $0.15 for the first half of 1999, versus the reported amounts of $0.04 and $0.06, respectively. For the last 12 months ended June 30, 1999, ERV adjusted earnings per share would have been $0.47, versus the reported amount of $0.21 per share.

Mr. Casey continued, ``We are very pleased with the progress the airline has made due to our growth strategies implemented in 1998 and the added capacity taken on to support those strategies in 1999. In a short period of time we have been able to add capacity, integrate that capacity into our system and gain a greater presence in our primary markets. Building on this momentum, last week we announced the implementation of our code sharing alliance with Continental Airlines. In addition, this month we will embark on our initial two-year, $70 million agreement with Renaissance Cruises to provide 20 round-trip charter flights per month between Los Angeles and Tahiti.

``Looking ahead, our near term focus is on implementing a systematic long-term plan that will replace our current fleet of aircraft in a way that is consistent with our strategy of controlled growth. This fleet upgrade, combined with our continued ability to increase revenues, will provide a solid platform for growth as we enter the new millennium,'' Casey said.

Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii's first and largest airline, provides scheduled and charter air transportation of passengers, cargo and mail among the islands of Hawaii and between Hawaii and six West Coast gateway cities and two destinations in the South Pacific. The carrier has won numerous awards, including the prestigious President's Award for innovation in coach class service given by the International In-Flight Food Service Association, and has been consistently rated one of the ``Top 10 U.S. Airlines'' by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazines for the past several years. Additional information about Hawaiian Airlines, including previously issued company news releases, may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.hawaiianair.com.

Reference to record results excludes unusual and nonrecurring gains and losses. Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release contain forward- looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The company's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the effect of changing economic conditions, trends in the airline industry, the ability to control costs and expenses, and other risks detailed in the company's continuing reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations (in thousands,
except per share data)  (Unaudited)

                          THREE MONTHS ENDED      SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                JUNE 30,                JUNE 30,
                             1999       1998        1999        1998
Operating Revenues:
   Passenger           $ 101,581   $  91,086   $ 192,067   $ 173,294
   Charter                 9,663       8,670      19,850      18,103
   Cargo                   5,912       5,657      11,047      10,829
   Other                   5,163       3,590       9,365       7,023
        Total            122,319     109,003     232,329     209,249

Operating Expenses:
   Wages and benefits     34,486      29,379      67,476      58,926
   Aircraft fuel,
         including taxes
         and oil          17,473      17,047      31,259      35,851
   Maintenance materials
         and repairs      24,542      20,997      48,302      42,179
   Rentals and landing
         fees              7,227       7,314      14,647      14,659
   Sales commissions       3,625       2,971       7,039       6,138
   Depreciation and
         amortization      4,210       3,394       7,806       6,125
   Other                  26,400      21,837      49,969      41,226
      Total              117,964     102,939     226,498     205,104

Operating Income           4,354       6,063       5,831       4,145

Nonoperating Income (Expense):
       Interest expense,
           net              (429)        (39)       (658)       (361)
       Loss on disposition
           of equipment     (363)        (46)       (783)        (59)
         Other, net          (26)        (99)        622         (47)
                  Total     (818)       (184)       (819)       (467)
Income Before Income
         Taxes             3,536       5,879       5,012       3,678

Income Tax Benefit
         (Provision)      (1,643)     (2,939)     (2,336)     (1,839)

Net Income                 1,893       2,940       2,676       1,839

Other Comprehensive
         Income              -          -            -           -
Comprehensive Income     $ 1,893     $ 2,940     $ 2,676     $ 1,839

Net Income Per Common Stock Share:
Basic                     $ 0.05      $ 0.07     $  0.07     $  0.04
Diluted                   $ 0.04      $ 0.07     $  0.06     $  0.04

Weighted Average Number of Common Stock
Shares Outstanding:
Basic                     40,997     40,898       40,997      40,885
Diluted                   42,223     42,178       42,218      42,246


Hawaiian Airlines, INc,
Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands) (Unaudited)

                             JUNE 30, 1999     DECEMBER 31, 1998
ASSETS:
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents  $   41,592            $   31,011
  Restricted cash                14,816                 6,432
  Accounts receivable, net       32,370                29,995
  Inventories, net               10,120                 8,546
  Prepaid expenses and other      6,131                 5,923
     Total current assets       105,029                81,907

Property and equipment, less accumulated
  depreciation and amortization
  of $31,207 and $25,584 in
  1999 and 1998, respectively   103,354                84,922
Other assets                      6,158                 8,232
Reorganization value in
   excess of amounts allocable
   to identifiable assets, net
   ("Excess Reorganization
     Value")                     43,034                46,850

Total Assets                  $ 257,575             $ 221,911


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities:
  Current portion of
         long-term debt       $  4,631              $   3,532
  Current portion of capital
        lease obligations        5,235                  4,614
  Accounts payable              34,744                 28,883
  Accrued liabilities           24,658                 16,517
  Air traffic liability         33,542                 22,131
       Total current
         liabilities           102,810                 75,677

Long-Term Debt                  24,183                 14,454
Capital Lease Obligations        3,078                  5,966
Other Liabilities and
         Deferred Credits       33,941                 34,927

Shareholders' Equity:

    Common and Special
         Preferred Stock           410                    410
  Capital in excess of par
         value                  99,418                 99,418
  Warrants                       3,153                  3,153
  Notes receivable from
    Common Stock sales          (1,581)                (1,581)
  Accumulated deficit           (3,331)                (6,007)
  Accumulated other
    comprehensive loss          (4,506)                (4,506)

     Shareholders' equity       93,563                 90,887

     Total Liabilities And
       Shareholders' Equity  $ 257,575              $ 221,911

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.
Statistical Data (in Thousands, Except As Otherwise Indicated)
(Unaudited)


                             THREE MONTHS ENDED     SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                  JUNE 30,               JUNE 30,
                               1999      1998         1999      1998

SCHEDULED OPERATIONS:
   Revenue passengers flown    1,136      1,268       2,631      2,453
   Revenue passenger miles
         ("RPM")           1,033,123    960,980   1,931,428  1,755,629
   Available seat miles
         ("ASM")           1,371,776  1,227,900   2,627,109  2,431,395
   Passenger load factor        75.3%      78.3%       73.5%     72.2%
   Passenger revenue per
     passenger mile ("Yield")   9.8(c)    9.5(c)       9.9(c)    9.9(c)

OVERSEAS CHARTER OPERATIONS:
   Revenue passengers flown      63         60          132        127
   RPM                      175,565    165,729      368,022    349,106
   ASM                      186,903    176,470      385,690    371,239


TOTAL OPERATIONS:
 Revenue passengers flown     1,399      1,328        2,763      2,580

 RPM                      1,208,688  1,126,709    2,299,450  2,104,735
 ASM                      1,558,679  1,404,370    3,012,799  2,802,634
 Revenue per ASM           7.85 (c)    7.76 (c)     7.71 (c)    7.47(c)
 Cost per ASM              7.57 (c)    7.33 (c)     7.52 (c)    7.32(c)


Contact:

     Hawaiian  Airlines, Inc.
     John Garibaldi
     Chief Financial Officer
     808/835-3700
     or Keoni Wagner
     808/838-6778
            or
     Morgen-Walke Associates
     Investor Relations:
     Betsy Brod/Heather Anthony
     Media Contacts:
     Michael McMullan/Stacy Roth
     212/850-5600