The US pilot shortage has supposedly forced Sun Country Airlines to curtail connections to Hawaii. This is although the airline posted a record profit for Q3 2022 and is adding 13 new cross-country routes. While pilot availability has certainly affected the airline's decision, at the heart of the matter are the soaring costs of aviation fuel.

Sun Country’s rationale for leaving Hawaii

Sun-Country-Livery_03-1500x844-1 - Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737 on tarmac
Photo: Sun Country Airlines

In an April 2022 statement when the routes were first suspended; Wendy Burt, Sun Country Airlines spokesperson, said;

“Anticipating that we will continue to be operationally constrained by workforce shortages, including crew, Sun Country is adjusting our summer flying schedule to align better with staffing and aircraft availability. We are eliminating service to Fairbanks and Honolulu – two long-haul flights that will also save on high fuel costs. We apologize to our guests for the change.”

The airline hoped to return to Honolulu in 2023, but its Summer 2023 schedules indicate this is not the case. When Simple Flying recently reached out to Sun Country Airlines to find out why, Burt explained rising fuel costs were indeed the main reason.

The rising cost of jet fuel

Sun-Country-Livery_05-1500x844 - Sun Country Airlines 737 taking off
Photo: Sun Country

Yes, jet fuel costs are climbing. Back on November 15, 2021, the price of jet fuel was $2.26 a gallon, according to Airlines for America. On November 15, 2022, the price of jet fuel has risen to $3.48 a gallon. At its apex in May of 2022, due to Russia’s War on Ukraine, it reached as much as $4.85 a gallon.

Considering that a Boeing 737-800 takes on 6,875 gallons of fuel, a rise of $1.22 a gallon means filling that tank costs an additional $8,387.50. Imagine if the cost jumped $17,806.25 as the cost differential between November 2021 and May of 2022 was. Spreading that extra cost around 189 paying passengers if the 737-800 was at capacity would mean an extra $94 plus on each ticket.

Then there’s the International Air Transport Association (IATA) tracking. As per below, noting that there are 42 US gallons in a barrel of fuel, ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February – the price of jet fuel has skyrocketed:

chartb_11112022 - IATA tracking of jet fuel & crude oil price by the barrel
Graphic: IATA

Consequently, Sun Country can no longer offer affordable seats to Hawaii. Knowing that it would be out-priced by the competition, the airline has chosen to focus its summer 2023 efforts on routes where it is able to stay ahead of the game.

Other airlines connecting the 48 contiguous states to Hawaii

Sun Country was up against some fierce competition to connect the 48 contiguous states to the US state of Hawaii. For example, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines are all in the mix.

Some of these airlines, such as Alaska Airlines, use fuel hedging as a means to control the cost of fuel. In other words, the airlines purchase the fuel in advance at a lower price – which helps prevent having to eat losses during spikes in fuel prices that cannot be passed on to flying customers.

What are your thoughts? Please share with civility in the comments.

Sources: Airlines for America, Beat of Hawaii, IATA