There’s good news in the wind. According to the latest info from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in the first quarter of 2012 airlift capacity to Hawaii is expected to increase by 3.8 percent over a year ago, with additional nonstop service from the U.S. West Coast, Canada, Japan, Oceania, China and South Korea.

Unfortunately, this increase will be offset by a 21.4 percent drop in seats from the country’s eastern regions. The decline includes suspension of flights from Minneapolis and reductions in service from Houston and Chicago. Taken altogether that means a contraction of 1.8 percent in air seat capacity from the mainland.

Balancing that, however, is the rapid expansion into Asia, including an 18.1 percent increase in seats from the Tokyo-Haneda route and a 62.4 percent increase in seats from Osaka, as travel from Japan surges. Additionally a new flight from Fukuoka to Honolulu on Delta Air Lines, adds to the growth.

Surges in air capacity from Canadian cities – a total rise of 28.2 percent – are also fueling the increases, with new service by WestJet from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.

Increases in service are also being seen by Hawaiian Airlines, Asiana Airlines, and Korean Air as well as China Eastern Airlines. Additionally two new routes from Australia will be flown by Air Australia.

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