Hawaiian Airlines swung to a profit in the first quarter of this year from a loss during the same period a year earlier as a decline in fuel costs more than offset the effects of a slumping tourism market.

The state's largest carrier earned $23.5 million, or 46 cents a share for the three months ending March 21. That compared with a net loss of $19.9 million, or 42 cents a share a year earlier.

"Our first quarter financial performance was good in absolute terms and notably better than that of most of our competitors," said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and chief executive officer.

"The benefits of a significant decline in the price of fuel more than offset the consequences of weaker demand for Hawaii vacations while several years of diligent cost control in areas of expense that we influence added to the overall results. z'

Hawaiian's interisland operations increased significantly year-over-year during the first quarter, while long haul capacity was relatively flat year-over-year, Dunkerley said.