Southwest Says It Can Begin Flying Between California And Hawaii

SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) – Southwest Airlines is getting ready for takeoff.

The Dallas-based airline says it has gained government approval to begin flights between California and Hawaii, capping a long effort that was delayed by the government shutdown.

The airline's chief operating officer, Mike Van de Ven, told employees Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration granted the authorization.

Van de Ven says Southwest will announce timing for selling tickets and beginning flights in the coming days.

Southwest plans to launch flights to Hawaii from four cities in California.

The airline needed FAA certification of its ability to operate long, over-water flights where the options for emergency landings are few. In recent weeks Southwest has operated several test flights with FAA personnel on board to monitor such things as navigation and communications.

Southwest completed a test flight on February 5 from Oakland, California, to Honolulu.