Hawaii airports, residents prepare for Thanksgiving travel rush

HONOLULU (KHON2) – The The state called again in September for more airport screenings at all Hawaii airports. Since then, Roberts Hawaii has screened 500 applicants; 200 people have been hired and are now in training ahead of the 2021 travel season.

Roberts Hawaii said the airport screener positions are still open and urgently needed to help tackle the Christmas crisis. All new and existing airport screeners will receive a bonus of $ 300 to $ 400 a month through Christmas.

“We weren’t really busy. You know, summer months, I have to say June and July of this year, we are almost there. And then it was immediately clear to everyone that they didn’t have enough team members, there were a lot of new hires to be done, ”said Vikram Singh, hospitality analyst.

According to experts, the Thanksgiving travel crisis begins in the third week of November.

“It will start Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday and then continue until next week,” said Dr. Jerry Agrusa, Professor of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Hawaiian Airlines is also preparing for vacation by expanding daily flights between Honolulu, Seattle and San Francisco, and between Kahului and Los Angeles.

Some local residents are already making their way to their Thanksgiving destinations.

“We really wanted to go home before the holidays because it’s always a bit more expensive this time of the year and we just wanted to get home earlier,” said Kathryn King, a resident of Kailua.

Travel analysts said the numbers won’t be as big as in previous years due to the COVID pandemic, but last minute deals are there for avid travelers.

“As we speak, this is day two, there are lots of big sales for travel and it’s already been launched by the big OTAs like Expedia. They are already running their promotions at this point, ”explained Vikram.

Experts also said that travel dynamics take time.

“It gets busier and busier week after week and when Christmas comes we will get going,” added Agrusa.