Hawaiian Airlines said Thursday it will open a technology center in the Phoenix area in the first quarter.

When fully operational the center will allow the airline to act nimbly in the rapidly changing information technology space and provide the company with additional layers of security and redundancy for its information systems and personnel.

Hawaiian’s primary IT functions and decision-making will continue to take place in Honolulu, and the airline will continue to collaborate with local educational institutions for IT internships and recruitment.

The airline expects to have a temporary Phoenix office operating in the first quarter before moving into a permanent space. When it is fully staffed, it will have more than 100 employees.