In an era dominated by ride-sharing apps and DIY solutions, a surprising trend is emerging among business professionals and affluent travelers: the return to traditional chauffeur-driven transportation. This shift represents more than nostalgia-it reflects a renewed appreciation for reliability, professionalism, and the value of time in our increasingly complex world.

A new holiday travel study released by Deloitte has finally quantified a shift that has been quietly approaching Hawaii for months. More Americans plan to take trips next year, but they intend to spend less on each one. That includes staying more with family and friends instead of in hotels, and replacing air travel with regional driving when possible. That directly challenges Hawaii’s dependence on air travel, long hotel stays, and higher spending. The national travel trends outlined by Deloitte do not align with the model Hawaii has relied on for decades, and that mismatch will matter in 2026.

AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019.

Honolulu International Airport just pulled off a surprise win. In June 2025, HNL ranked No. 7 in the world for on-time flight departures, surpassing major global hubs such as Tokyo, Cancún, and Copenhagen, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The airport had an on-time departure rate of 86.48 percent across nearly 13,000 tracked flights.

Travelers departing from Honolulu Airport (HNL) should now plan extra time for their mandatory pre-flight baggage inspection due to a significant reduction in staffing at agricultural inspection stations. This development comes as the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) warned domestic air travelers about delays that may disrupt travel plans, especially those with early morning flights.

The CD/NLA Show is heading to the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this February 23-26 and it’s shaping up to be our biggest most expansive show to date! In addition to a nearly sold-out exhibit floor with all the industry’s top vendors, suppliers and technology companies, the CD/NLA Education Committee is putting the final touches on close to a dozen valuable and thought provoking sessions and roundtables. Explore topics like pricing for profitability, working with affiliates, and the always hot issue of insurance. Our educational lineup will appeal to operators large and small, as well as our international contingency. Plus, you’ll want to stay on Wednesday for bonus workshop Fuel Your Business Growth and Take Command, delivered by Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Professional Implementers, which we guarantee will be packed with tons of takeaway!

The Thanksgiving Holiday is a week away and if you’re planning to travel at least 50 miles or more to spend time with family and friends, you will be one of nearly 79.9 million others. AAA says nearly 80 million people will travel over 50 miles during the Thanksgiving Holiday, between Tuesday, November 26th and Monday, December 2nd. This year’s projected number of travelers is up 1.7 million people when compared to 2023, and 2 million more than pre-pandemic numbers (2019).

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) and Meet Hawai‘i remain committed to strengthening the Japan market for the Hawaiian Islands. Furthering this commitment, HTA, Meet Hawai‘i and JTB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding codifying a three-year partnership to promote and secure targeted business meetings, conventions and incentive events from Japan.

The National Limousine Association (NLA) is collaborating with the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) at the CUNY–City College of New York to develop a report on best practices for chauffeured transportation service at airports to ensure safety, sustainability, and a high standard of service. The project is being led by Attorney Matt Daus of Windels Marx, who is the former longest-serving Chair of the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission and Transportation Technology Chair at UTRC.

The National Limousine Association (NLA), an organization responsible for and dedicated to representing the interests of the prearranged ground transportation industry at the global, national, state and local levels held its 24th annual Day on the Hill advocacy event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 15. Sixty-six members met with 68 legislators spanning 23 states, discussing policies impacting small business owners throughout the industry, as well as the interests of the corporate traveler.

The National Limousine Association (NLA)—the organization responsible for and dedicated to representing the interests of the chauffeured transportation industry at the global, national, state, and local levels—announced Brett Barenholtz as their new president at the 2024 CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas this March 3-6.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wrapped his second day in the islands with a tour of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Buttigieg said Honolulu Airport needs a lot of work after decades of neglect, but believes President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan and funding will change that.