Airlines Add Flights to Help Evacuate Maui After Catastrophic Wildfires

Thousands of people are fleeing the Hawaiian island of Maui as devastating wildfires spread across the area. Lahaina, once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, has been largely reduced to ash.

As of Tuesday, about 16% of Maui County’s population was under “severe drought” conditions, according to NBC. Dry vegetation and winds from hurricane Dora proved to be a recipe for disaster and now people are scrambling to get out.

More than 11,000 people have already been evacuated off the island since the fires began, and now airlines are adding more flights to aid the evacuation process.

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines have all services. A spokesperson from American Airlines said the carrier is operating all scheduled flights to and from Kahului Airport. The carrier also added an additional flight and upgraded an aircraft to help get people out fast.

Southwest Airlines as well as Alaska Airlines both announced they were adding service to Hawaii in a “rescue flight” on Thursday.

Fortunately, for travelers whose flights were impacted by the fires, “All major airlines waived fare-differences and cancellation penalties,” CNBC reported.