(Local Air Carrier sold)…It was announced this week.

Mokulele Airlines was acquired by Southern Airways Express. Terms of the acquisition have not been announced. The Hawaiian carrier was on its second Essential Air Service contract with Imperial County. The acquisition is the third for Southern in the past four years. Southern operates 600 weekly flights across 20 cities. They have operated mostly in the Gulf States, the Mid-Atlantic and South Florida. Southern is listed as the fastest growing airline in America. The acquisition of Mokulele is their first venture into California and Hawaii. With the acquisition, Southern will operate 1,380 weekly flights, more than any other commuter airline in the 50 states. Southern plans on keeping the Mokulele brand alive in the Hawaiian Islands, while eventually operating all flights on the Southern Airways Express FAA operating certificate. Service to Imperial County is not expected to change.