Surf Air’s Mokulele Airlines Awarded $19.4 Million EAS Contract to Continue Service to Lanai, Hawaii
Surf Air Mobility’s airline subsidiary, Mokulele Airlines, has been awarded a new Essential Air Service (EAS) contract by the U.S. DOT to continue scheduled air service to Lanaii, Hawaii.
(Los Angeles, California) Surf Air Mobility (NYSE: SRFM) announced today (Sept. 14) that its airline subsidiary, Mokulele Airlines, has been awarded a new, $19.4 million Essential Air Service (EAS) contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to continue scheduled air service to Lanai, Hawaii.
Image of a Surf Air subsidiary’s Mokulele Airlines Cessna Grand Caravan, courtesy of Mokulele Airlines.
Per today’s press release from Surf Air, the contract represents $19.4 million in EAS subsidies – excluding incremental passenger fare revenue – over four years, which doubles the term of the prior contract and provides contracted revenue through August 2030.
Per Surf Air, . the contract rewards Surf Air Mobility’s significant investment in its Hawaiʻi infrastructure including the upgraded fleet, operational capabilities and local presence needed to serve Lanaʻi reliably.
Louis Saint-Cyr, President of Airline Operations at Surf Air Mobility, said: “It is an honor to have been selected by the DOT to continue operating the Lanaʻi EAS contract. For many years, the Lanaʻi community has depended on our operations to keep the island connected, and we take our commitment seriously as evidenced by our recent investment in local infrastructure and operating capabilities. This contract also rewards the broader investments we’ve made into our Hawaiʻi operations where we provide safe, reliable, and profitable air service, and where we continue building toward our ambition of operating the first commercial passenger electric flights in the country.”
Per Surf Air, Mokulele currently operates approximately 112 daily departures across five islands; over the past year, Mokulele has upgraded the Hawaiʻi fleet with new Cessna Caravans and updated ground and lounge infrastructure.
Under the new contract, Mokulele will operate 63 weekly round trips, or 126 weekly flights, connecting Lanaʻi (LNY) to Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului/Maui (OGG).
