OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2005--North American Airlines, Oakland`s newest low-cost carrier, will begin flying direct to Kona and Kauai from Oakland International Airport on April 3 and 8, respectively. The new routes are part of North American Airlines` plans to become the Bay Area`s preferred airline servicing the Hawaiian Islands.

Last November, NAA began flying scheduled flights from Oakland to Honolulu and Maui with promotional fares of $99 each way. With six weekly flights to the Hawaiian islands already, this new service brings the service to nine flights a week. Flights to and from Lihue Airport on Kauai are scheduled each Friday. Flights to and from Kona are scheduled each Sunday.

``Visits to the Big Island and Kauai account for more than 30% of domestic visitors to Hawaii,`` noted Peter Bogovich, NAA`s vice president of sales. ``We are very pleased to be able to serve these four islands now, making Hawaii even more affordable and accessible to the Bay Area and beyond.``

NAA has positioned itself in the Bay Area as the airline with ``High Standards and Low Fares.`` With leather seats, hot meals, generous leg room, and personal digital movie players (digEplayers) available, the airline distinguishes itself as one of the few carriers to still give all passengers full service. The fares to Hawaii are consistently among the lowest, according to Expedia, the online booking service. A recent search of flights from Oakland to Maui resulted in a 40% lower fare on North American than any other carrier. The new service to Kona and Kauai is approximately 30% lower than any other carrier. For example a roundtrip flight between Oakland and Kona in April would cost $440 roundtrip; on the next cheapest carrier (Aloha Airlines, which has filed for bankruptcy), the fare is $627. United Airlines offers a fare of $818 for the same flight.

Kona, on Hawaii`s Big Island, is internationally known for its golf courses and beaches, not to mention its coffee. In addition, the island is home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the state`s number one visitor attraction: Kilauea, the world`s most active volcano; Mauna Loa, the world`s largest volcano; and, Mauna Kea, Hawaii`s tallest volcano. The island of Kauai, known as the ``Garden Island,`` is the northwestern-most island in the chain and attracts visitors for its natural beauty (including lush, tropical rain forests) and laid-back atmosphere.

Tickets are available through local travel agents, on the Internet at such locations as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity, as well as the North American Airlines Web site, www.northamericanair.com.

Founded in 1989 by Dan McKinnon, former Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board, NAA is a fully certificated U.S. Flag airline with worldwide scheduled service authority. In addition to scheduled service to Hawaii, NAA continues to operate scheduled flights from its corporate headquarters at JFK International Airport in New York to the Caribbean. Over the years, NAA has earned the reputation as ``America`s Greatest Little Airline.``

Editor`s Note: A North American Airlines logo and photo of an NAA aircraft, designed specifically for print publication, can be easily downloaded from www.GiveMeMore.com/naa.