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Southwest Airlines on Friday announced it is launching new direct flights from Hilo to Las Vegas.

The new nonstop route starts Aug. 6, 2026, and will initially operate Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, according to a Southwest news release.

“We heard you, Hilo,” Adam Decaire, Southwest Airlines senior vice president of network planning and network operations control, said in the news release. “Las Vegas is important to you, and you’re important to us.

The Hilo-bound flights will depart Las Vegas at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at 12:35 p.m.

The Las Vegas-bound flights will depart Hilo at 8:45 p.m. and arrive the next morning at 5:10 a.m.

“This service gets you faster to family and fun in Nevada where you also can access easy connections on Southwest to many of the 75 places that we serve nonstop from Las Vegas with as many 272 departures a day,” Decaire said.

Mayor Kimo Alameda praised the announcement of the new route, which offers the first direct commercial airline flights from Hilo to the mainland since January 2023, when United Airlines eliminated its Hilo to Los Angeles service.

“When I took office, I pledged to strengthen ties with the ‘Ninth Island’ — Las Vegas, where many 91Ö±²¥-born residents live,” he said in the news release. “Southwest’s renewed service shows its dedication. Quicker flights across the Pacific means more convenience for our local families and another chance to support our hometown airline.”

“The 91Ö±²¥ Island Chamber of Commerce welcomes Southwest Airlines’ announcement of new nonstop service between Hilo and Las Vegas,” said Carla Kuo, executive officer of HICC. “Our community has long advocated for a direct mainland connection, and we are thrilled to see it become a reality. This new route will support local businesses and make travel more convenient for families, residents and visitors alike. We appreciate Southwest’s continued investment in our community and look forward to the lasting benefits this new service will deliver to our island.”

In support of halau and attendees of the 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival, Southwest will offer special service between Las Vegas and Hilo as well as additional interisland service.

Those Las Vegas to Hilo flights are:

— Thursday, April 9, 2026: Depart Las Vegas at 9:25 a.m.; arrive Hilo at 12:30 p.m.

— Sunday, April 12, 2026: Depart Hilo at 9:50 a.m.; arrive Las Vegas at 6:25 p.m.

“We timed this special celebration flight eastbound to allow people attending the end of the festival same-day connections broadly across western North America, as far east as St. Louis, and to be able to reach other airports along the east coast through overnight service from Las Vegas,” Decaire said.

Flights on the new route are on sale now at Southwest.com.

Southwest began operating at Hilo International Airport on Jan. 19, 2020. With nearly 60 interisland flights daily statewide, Southwest currently offers nearly 90 flights a day that touch 91Ö±²¥.