Multiple sources report that Mokulele Airlines, a subsidiary of Surf Air Mobility, has been awarded a four-year, $19.4 million Essential Air Service contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation to continue scheduled flights connecting Lanai with Honolulu and Kahului (OGG). The contract runs through August 2030 and doubles the length of the airline’s previous agreement.
- The $19.4 million represents federal EAS subsidies only, excluding additional passenger fare revenue
- Mokulele will operate 63 weekly round trips (126 flights): 42 between Lanai and Honolulu, and 21 between Lanai and Kahului/Maui (OGG)
- The contract doubles the duration of Mokulele’s prior EAS agreement
- Mokulele was selected through a competitive process; DOT cited the airline’s track record serving Lanai, its established Hawaii infrastructure, and interline connectivity
- Mokulele currently operates approximately 112 daily departures across five Hawaiian islands and has recently added Cessna Caravan aircraft and upgraded ground and passenger facilities
- Mokulele holds interline agreements with Hawaiian, Alaska, American, United, and Japan Airlines at both HNL and OGG, giving Lanai residents connections to the mainland and internationally (Morningstar)
- Surf Air Mobility plans to eventually operate commercial passenger electric flights using BETA Technologies’ ALIA aircraft, and participated in a Hawaii demonstration flight program in June 2026 (Grafa)
Sources
- Maui News: Mokulele awarded $19.4 million contract for Lanai air service
- Grafa: Surf Air Mobility wins $19.4M Lanaʻi contract
- Morningstar: Surf Air Mobility’s Mokulele Airlines Awarded $19.4 Million Essential Air Service Contract for Lanaʻi in Hawaiʻi
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