Hawaiian Airlines aims to help refugees from Afghanistan, putting 'the aloha spirit in action'

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Hawaiian Airlines joined the airline industry effort to help thousands of Afghan refugees resettle in America. | stock photo

In an effort to help thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing their country after the Taliban has taken over, Hawaiian Airlines is lending a hand. 

Jon Snook, Hawaiian Airlines executive vice president and COO, said the crews are expected to ferry as many as 1,000 Afghan passengers per day over three daily flights, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 

"Mahalo to Hawaiian Air for stepping up and representing Hawaii well by joining the Department of Defense Civil Reserve Air Fleet to help relocate our Afghan allies and their families across the United States. This is the aloha spirit in action," U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said in a Sept. 2 Tweet.

Representatives of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation and Gov. David Ige’s office said there are no immediate plans to settle Afghan refugees in Hawaii, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Defense has contracted with Hawaiian Airlines to join other U.S. airlines in resettling Afghan refugees. This effort is part of the Department of Defense activating the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, according to CNBC

The Civil Reserve Air Fleet consists of selected aircraft from U.S. airlines, contractually committed to help in emergencies "when the need for airlift exceeds the capability of military aircraft," according to the U.S. Air Force website.