Hawaiian Airlines traffic rose 2.2 percent in January, planes more crowded after capacity cuts

Hawaiian Airlines traffic rose 2.2 percent in Jan.

HONOLULU — Hawaiian Airlines said Friday its traffic rose 2.2 percent in January and planes were more crowded as the carrier reduced flights compared with a year ago.

The airline said paying passengers flew 661.6 million miles last month, compared with 647.6 million miles in January 2009.

Capacity was reduced 2.7 percent, to 804.9 million available seat miles, which is one seat flown one mile.

The average occupancy on planes rose to 82.2 percent from 78.3 percent in January 2009.

Shares of parent Hawaiian Holdings Inc. rose 68 cents, or 11 percent, to $6.76 in morning trading.