Aloha Airlines, in its first expansion since emerging from bankruptcy last month, will begin a new Orange County to Sacramento service on May 1.

Aloha said yesterday it will fly six weekly round-trips between the two California destinations, with early morning departures from Orange County's John Wayne Airport and night-time return trips from Sacramento.

The new flights will compete with Southwest Airlines, which is the only carrier that operates direct flights between the two locations.

"The convenience of an early morning departure from John Wayne and an evening return flight makes it possible for travelers to do a full slate of business in the (California) state capital and return to Orange County, all in a day's work," said Thom Nulty, Aloha's senior vice president of marketing and sales.

The new flights are part of Aloha's post-bankruptcy plan to expand its Mainland service.

Aloha's Chief Executive Officer David Banmiller recently said that Aloha plans to add new flights from its West Coast bases that fly farther inland.

Aloha, the state's second-largest airline, previously flew direct flights to the Sacramento market from Burbank, Calif., but the company terminated that route in September 2004.

The new flight will complement Aloha's existing Hawai'i to Mainland service, which includes nonstop flights to Oakland and San Diego, as well as Sacramento and Orange County.

Aloha also flies to Las Vegas and Reno from Orange County.

The 60-year-old airline emerged from 13 months of bankruptcy protection last month under new ownership led by California billionaire Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. Aloha Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection in December 2004 after fuel and other costs soared.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.