Southwest Airlines Offers Extensive Support for Maui Wildfire Recovery in Hawaii

DALLAS, TX, 2023-Aug-21 — /Travel PR News/ — The western slope of the island of Maui, Hawaii, particularly evident in the historic town of Lahaina, continues to recover from the destruction and displacement of devastating wildfires. In the days following the destruction, Southwest launched a robust plan to support our Employees, Customers, and organized relief under the direction of the State of Hawaii. Our support has included adding service each day, financial assistance and in-kind donation of tickets, shipments of critical items through Southwest Cargo, transportation of critical workers such as law enforcement officers and firefighters, and a relief transport to bring needed capacity to animal shelters.

Southwest is the second-largest air carrier in Hawaii, and we offer more than 90 flights a day that touch the Hawaiian Islands. Of those, 60 operate on interisland routes. Since the onset of the crisis, Southwest has continually added service each day both on routes across the Pacific and within the state to help move people, pets, and critical supplies.

• Southwest initially introduced a $19 interisland fare, and we lowered our pet fare to $1 to facilitate evacuation.
• We are known for our flexible policies and are offering additional flexibility for travel to the area most affected by the Maui wildfires, allowing Customers with reservations involving travel to, from, or through Kahului (Maui) to alter travel plans and rebook with no fare differences.

Supporting the Community 

With hundreds of Employees in the Hawaiian Islands and standing relationships with dozens of community organizations across the Aloha State, Southwest is directing our support, and that of our Customers and Employees, to the local and national agencies coordinating in the overall, concerted, and organized effort to deliver both urgent and long-term support.

• In the early days of the emergency response, Southwest donated more than $100,000 in cash and air travel.
• We provided complementary Southwest Cargo transportation of crucial supplies, including shipments of Employee-donated items that local organizations have asked for and can receive and distribute.
• Additionally, we are sending extra water and snacks onboard Southwest west coast flights arriving at OGG.

Southwest’s trusted local partner organizations include:

• The Maui Foodbank
• The Maui Relief Fund
• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
• Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund

Southwest also partners with trusted global organizations that provide relief for communities impacted by disasters: 

• The American Red Cross
• Team Rubicon
• Airlink

Southwest is coordinating with Hawaii law enforcement and local firefighting agencies, transporting more than 30 volunteer firefighters every two days to provide a continual shuttle of fresh responders on the frontline of critical relief. Our work and partnerships will continue as we support long-term recovery efforts.

Our Hearts are with the people of Hawaii and the communities that are affected by the wildfires, and we have many efforts underway across the Company to offer our assistance and support in the island’s long-term recovery.

Media Contacts:

Visit the Southwest Newsroom at swamedia.com for multimedia assets and other Company news.

Media Relations Team: 214-792-4847, option 1

Source: Southwest Airlines

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