Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley will continue to run the airline through at least 2016, following his signing of a three-year contract extension.

Dunkerley’s "leadership in the development and successful execution of Hawaiian’s long term business plan has been exemplary," said Lawrence Hershfield, chairman of airline parent Hawaiian Holdings Inc., in a statement Monday.

The airline’s profits grew 77.6 percent in the third quarter in the face of rising fuel costs, and reported net income of $45.5 million, up from $25.6 million in the third quarter of 2011. Revenue was $549.3 million, up from $455.9 million, a 20.5 percent year-over-year gain.

"It’s a privilege to work with everyone at our company, and I am more excited about the prospect of what lies ahead for our company than at any other time in my years at Hawaiian," Dunkerley said, and expressed gratitude to the board of directors for its support.

Dunkerley joined Hawaiian as president and chief operating officer on Jan. 1, 2003, and became president and CEO when the airline exited bankruptcy in June 2005.

Dunkerley earned $1.6 million in total compensation in 2011, down from $6.5 million in 2010, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.