Island Air announced Tuesday that it will stop flying to Lanai at the end of the month, which left state lawmakers representing the island “disappointed” and “dismayed” at the airline and “concerned” about the prospect of only one airline flying to Lanai.

“It was a difficult decision. However, as Island Air continues to restructure, we are taking a hard look at all of the destinations we serve and where our resources are best deployed,” said Les Murashige, CEO of Island Air.

All of the 11 Lanai-based Island Air staff will be offered the opportunity to transfer within the airline that also flies between Kahului, Honolulu International and Lihue airports, the airline news release said.

“We appreciate and thank all of our employees who have provided impeccable service and our customers who have supported Island Air over the years,” said Murashige.

When the airline shuts down Lanai operations, only Ohana by Hawaiian will have regularly scheduled flights into Lanai. That did not sit well with state Sen. J. Kalani English and state Rep. Lynn DeCoite, who represent the island, mostly owned by billionaire Larry Ellison.

“I’m both dismayed and disappointed by Island Air’s announcement to discontinue service to Lanai,” said English in a statement Tuesday. “While I understand the financial challenges that played into the decision, my main concern is for the residents of Lanai who depend on air travel for essential activities, such as business and medical appointments.”

He alluded to the reopening of the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, the largest resort on the island, in February after being closed for seven months for renovations. Tourism numbers had taken a significant hit during the closure of the resort.

“Significant steps are being made toward revitalizing Lanai to become a prominent tourism destination, and I hope this doesn’t deter from that progress,” he said, adding that he hoped the airline would “reconsider resuming interisland flights to the island.”

DeCoite, who resides on Molokai, said she was disappointed in Island Air’s decision. Her concerns were over “only one other airline offering flights” and potential issues with limited flight schedules and airfare pricing.

“Lanai residents need to be able to travel for doctors’ appointments, business meetings, school and athletic functions and just to shop for basic household essentials,” she said. “I am worried that losing more flight services will be an undue burden on the residents who have been struggling to maintain their community.”

She was hoping that Ohana would “step up and offer more flights in and out of Lanai and use this as an opportunity to expand services for the Lanai community and its visitors.”

An attempt to reach officials with Ohana’s parent company, Hawaiian Airlines, was unsuccessful Tuesday.

Island Air currently has two round-trips each between Lanai and Honolulu and Lanai and Maui. The airline began flying to Lanai in the mid-1980s, according to airline spokesman Russell Pang.

Daily flights between Kahului Airport and Lanai end March 15, but from then until March 31 there will be three daily round-trips between Lanai and Oahu.

Ownership of the airline changed hands in early January with PaCap Aviation Finance LLC and Malama Investments LLC, two investment companies managed by local investment firm PacifiCap, acquiring a controlling interest in the airline from Ellison’s Ohana Airline Holdings LLC. Ellison, the founder of computer giant Oracle, had purchased the airline a year after acquiring most of Lanai in 2013.

PacifiCap’s founder and managing director is Jeffrey Au, who was part of a transition team including Murashige, a former Island Air executive, and Dave Pflieger, according to an announcement of the transaction.

Island Air began flying in 1980 as Princeville Airways with two DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft providing scheduled service between Honolulu and Kauai’s Princeville airport. It was renamed Island Air in 1992.

Customers with confirmed reservations to or from Lanai on April 1 or later will have the option to receive a full refund or have their reservation transferred to another airline. For more information or inquiries, contact Island Air at (800) 388-1105.

* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.