Hawaii will be an attractive connecting point for flights to the U.S. mainland, since the total trip is shorter than existing one-stop routes that connect in Sydney, Wedlock says. An added benefit for passengers is the ability to clear U.S. customs and immigration in Hawaii, rather than at a more congested U.S. West Coast airport, and to connect directly to a wider range of U.S. destinations.

Dunkerley says the Hawaiian fleet is fully committed through the first quarter of 2013, but there will be scope to add new international destinations from the middle of next year. Five more Airbus A330-200s are due to be delivered in 2013.