QantasLink's VH-X4F

National Jet Systems is taking delivery of VH-X4F "Rainbow Lorikeet" (msn 55340). This QantasLink-liveried A220-300 (BD-500-1A11) is making tis delivery flight from YMX to CBR, via YVR, HNL, and NAN as QLK6076. It will make an overnight atop at HNL tonight. This is National Jet Systems' first A220 for 2025, and their sixth overall.

Conair's C-GVFK

Conair's C-GVFK (msn E2268, f/n 164) is returning to its base at YXX, after its deployment for the Australian summer fire season. This RJ85 aerial firefighter is ferrying from BNE to YXX, via HIR, MAJ, HNL, and OAK. It's making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

QanatsLink's VH-8NW

Network Aviation is taking delivery of VH-8NW "Pink Lake" (msn 2704). Southern Cross Aviation is flying this A319-132 from BQN to BNE, via PHX, KOA, and APW, as SXI2506. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

2704's History

Mar 2006: Delivered to Spirit Airlines as N516NK "Spirit of Cancun" (f/n 516), under lease from ILFC.

May 2014: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Jun 2018: Purchased by Spirit Airlines, and painted in the current livery.

___ 2020: Fleet number redesigned as 1516.

Feb 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at P08.

Mar 2024: Acquired by Gryphon Aviation Leasing.

Aug 2024: Ferried to MCN for prep to QantasLink.

Nov 2024: Ferried to MZJ.

Dec 2024: Ferried to BQN.

Smartwings' OK-SWK

Smartwings' OK-SWK (c/n 62914, l/n 9027) is making a stop at HNL from SAN as TVS4363. This 737-8 is making a tour group charter flight from PRG that left on 19 March, and is flying west. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

OK-SWK's History:

Jan 2025: Delivered to Smartwings, under lease from AerCap.

29 March 2025 UPDATE

OK-SWK departed for APW this afternoon as TVS4364, continuing their group tour charter.

N261FC Hard Landing In Kunia

N261FC (msn 28-24697), a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140 owned by Ai Vu, had a hard landing in a field in Kunia, north of the Royal Kunia subdivision. Thankfully, both pilots on board survived, with one transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Hawaiian Airlines' N782HA

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of their third 787-9 DreamLiner, N782HA (c/n 66430, l/n 1223, f/n 782) today. It's making its delivery flight from CHS as HAL9787. Its Hawaiian name is taped over, and will be revealed when the 787 is blessed.

Virgin Australia's VH-VNR

Virgin Australia is returning VH-VNR (msn 3986) to its lessor, Avolon. This A320-232 making its ferry flight from PER to GYR, via CNS, MAJ, and KOA. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

3986's History:

Dec 2009: Delivered to Tiger Air as 9V-TAK, under ease from GECAS.

Jan 2010: Transferred to Tiger Air Australia as VH-VNK.

Jly 2013: Airline rebrands as Tigerair Australia.

Jly 2016: Acquired by Avolon, and the lease transferred.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and returned to Avolon.

Mar 2022: Leased to Virgin Australia Regional as VH-VNR.

Feb 2025: Withdrawn from service.

N743AX

N743AX (c/n 22218, l/n 31), a 767-232F owned by Cargo Aircraft Management, is making a flight from SFB to SZB, via HNL and GUM. This white-tail 767 will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight. It's going to be leased to Raya Airways.

22218's History:

Dec 1982: Delivered to Delta Air Lines as N106DA (f/n 106).

___ 2005: Painted in the 2000 livery.

Apr 2007: Sold to ABX Air, re-registered as N743AX (f/n 743), and converted to a freighter.

Jly 2010: Sold to Cargo Aircraft Management, and leased to AmeriJet.

Apr 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at SNN.

May 2023: Ferried to ILN for storage.

Oct 2024: Ferried to SFB for storage.

Jan 2025: Ferried to DHN for pre to new lessee.

26 March 2025 UPDATE

N743AX departed for GUM this morning.

27 March 2025 UPDATE

N743AX departed GUM for SZB today.

30 March 2025 UPDATE

N743AX is re-registered as 9M-RXE

US Air Force's 74-0787

74-0787 (c/n 20684, l/n 232), an E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post (AACP), flying as TITAN29, is making a stop at HIK from ADW. This E-4B is transporting US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for visits to bases in the US Indo-Pacific Command theater. 74-0787 is assigned to the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron / 595th Command and Control Group, based out of Offutt AFB, OK.

These 50-year-old E-4Bs, built from the 747-200B airframe, will be replaced in several years by the 747-8s acquired from Korean Air, and is being converted by the Sierra Nevada Corp.

G-KELT

Acropolis Aviation's G-KELT (msn 8403), is making a stop at HNL from MSP today. This A320-251N ACJ, flying as CRV1, is scheduled to continue onto SYD tomorrow.

27 March 2025 UPDATE

G-KELT stopped off at HNL returning from SYD.

29 March 2025 UPDATE

G-KELT departed for PBI after midnight.

Xiamen Airlines' N242BE

Boeing is ferrying Xiamen Airlines' N242BE (c/n 64677, l/n 7690) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM, as BOE339. This 737-8 is heading for cabin completion at Boeing China. It was originally registered as B-20CQ, and will be re-registered upon delivery. N242BE will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

Malaysia Airlines Orders 30 More 737MAXs

Malaysia Airlines announced a confirmation of an order of an additional 30 737MAX series airliners, with an option for another 30, today. The airline says the order is broken into 18 737-8s and 12 737-10s, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027. Malaysia Airlines originally ordered 25 737-8s under lease from Air Lease Corp, but was disclosed if the additional 30 will be leased or purchased.

Further information in this CH-Aviation.com article.

Honeywell International's N757HW

Honeywell International's 757-225 test airliner, N757HW (c/n 22194, l/n 5), is making a stop at JRF from PHX this afternoon, as HNW757. It's wearing the new livery with the #futureshaper titles on the tail. N757HW is heading for AVV [Avalon Airport, Melbourne, Australia], for the Avalon Airshow.

We've managed to catch N757HW at HNL a few times over the past several years.

21 March 2025 UPDATE

N757HW departed JRF for NAN this morning.

29 March 2025 UPDATE

N757HW arrived from NAN this afternoon, and will return to PHX tomorrow morning.

Zipair To Increase Fleet

As part of a new order with Boeing, Japan Airlines announced that they will transfer two 787-8s and ten 787-9s to Zipair, which will increase the fleet size to 20. The two 787-8s will join Zipair in 2026, while the ten 787-9s will be added in 2027. Japan Airlines also has ten 787-9s on order, slated for deliveries in 2027 and 2028.

Japan Airlines also announced that they are adding 17 more 737-8s to their existing order of 21, bring the total to 38. Deliveries are set to begin in FY2026.

Further information in this Aviation Week article and this Japan Airlines press release.

Xiamen Air's N230BE

Boeing is ferrying Xiamen Air's N230BE (c/n 64680, l/n 7934) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM, as BOE376. This 737-8, was originally registered as B-20DX, and will be re-registered after its cabin configuration is completed. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight,

Asiana Airlines Alters Livery

If you haven't noticed, Asiana Airlines began removing the red arrow logo next to the titles, as well as the "Kumho Asiana Group" titles in the tan-colored section of the tail livery, since the merger between Korean Air and Asian Airlines was finalized this past December. With the merger, it began the slow phase out of the identity of Kumho Group's stake in Asiana. However, some of the new-builds A321-251NXs still have the Kumho logo and titles.

Mahalo to HNL RareBirds contributor Joe G Walker for pointing out the change in the Asiana livery, and for the above photo of HL8381 (msn 387), an A350-941 departing SEA as AAR271 to ICN,

Conair's C-FFQF

Conair's C-FFQF (msn 4315, f/n 391) is heading back to its base at YXX, following its assignment in Australia. This Dash8-402QAT is flying from ABX to YXX, via MEL, BNE, HIR, MAJ, HNL, and YVR, as FGD391. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

QantasLink's VH-8NU

Southern Cross International is delivering QantasLink's VH-8NU (msn 2673) from BQN to PER, via PHX, KOA, APW, and PER, as SXI2505. This A319-132 is owned by Network Aviation, and operated for QantasLink. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

2673's History

Feb 2006: Delivered to Spirit Airlines as N512NK "Spirit of Turks and Caicos Islands" (f/n 512), under lease from ILFC.

May 2014: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Jun 2018: Purchased by Spirit Airlines, and painted in the current livery.

___ 2020: Fleet number redesigned as 1512.

Dec 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at P08.

Jan 2024: Acquired by Gryphon Aviation Leasing.

Jly 2024: Ferried to BQN to prep for Network Aviation.

Zipair Resumes HNL Service

After a seasonal hiatus, Zipair resumes its three-times-weekly NRT-HNL service today. JA822J (c/n 34832, l/n 23), made Zipair's flight this morning as TZP2.

Virgin Australia Regional's VH-VKQ

Virgin Australia Regional is returning VH-VKQ (msn 4053) to Avolon, its lessor. This A320-232 is making its ferry flight from PER to P08, via CNS, APW, and KOA. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

4053's History:

Oct 2009: Delivered to Tiger Airways as 9V-TAL, under lease from GECAS.

Mar 2010: Airline rebrands as Tiger Airways Australia, and re-registered as VH-VNO.

Jly 2013: Airline rebrands as Tigerair Australia.

Dec 2016: Acquired by Avolon, and the lease transferred.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service.

Nov 2020: Ferried to SBD for storage.

Oct 2021: Ferried to MPL for storage as OE-INN.

Mar 2022: Leased to Virgin Australia Regional as VH-VKQ.

C-FNEN

C-FNEN (msn 4453), a Dash8-402Q owned by JD Aero, is the latest Q400 bound for Sunstate Airlines to operate for QantasLink. It's making its delivery flight from YAM to BNE, via YYJ, HNL, and MAJ; and will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight. This Q400 will be re-registered as VH-84E, and is named "Launceston".

4453's History:

Oct 2013: Delivered to WestJet Encore as C-FNEN.

Oct 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at YAM.

Dec 2024: Acquired by JD Aero, and prep for QantasLink at YAM.

National Jet Express' VH-8QC

National Jet Express is taking delivery of VH-8QC (msn 4246), and is making its delivery flight from YLK to PER, via PTK, CNO, HNL, MAJ, and TSV. This Dash8-402Q will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

4246's History:

Nov 2009: Delivered to Horizon Air as N439QX (f/n 439), in the "Comfortably Greener" special livery.

Jan 2012: Repainted in the Alaska Airlines livery.

___ 2018: Repainted in the current Alaska Airlines livery

Sep 2022: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to VCV for storage.

Aug 2024: Sold to the Bank of Utah, and ferried to YQS for storage.

Feb 2025: Prep for National Jet Express at YLK.

Mar 2025: Acquired by EIC Aircraft Leasing, and leased to National Jet Express.

Korean Air To Introduce Rebranding

Airways Magazine's Instagram account has revealed that Korean Air will introduce a new livery, logo, and word mark, shortly after celebrating their 56th anniversary. The official unveiling is set for Tuesday, 11 March. Currently, the airlines' 787-10 HL8515 (c/n 66878, l/n 1152) is the first current aircraft in their fleet to wear the new livery. Korean Air is also set to unveil its first A350-900 in the coming days.

11 March 2025 UPDATE

Korean Air added a section on their website about the rebranding. Aviation vlogger Sam Chui attended the event.

Ukraine AIr Alliance's UR-CAJ

Ukraine Air Alliance's An-12BK, UR-CAJ (msn 8346106), is making an overnight stop at KOA from SBD as UKL5012. The flight originated in LRD as UKL5011.

10 March 2025 UPDATE

UR-CAJ will be flying to ITO as UKL5012.

11 March 2025 UPDATE

After an overnight stop at ITO, UR-CAJ is continuing onto MAJ and TRW.

12 March 2025 UPDATE

UR-CAJ departed TRW for JRF, with a brief fuel stop before continuing onto PHX as UKL5013 (above photo).

N367SP

Samaritan's Purse will soon be taking delivery of N367SP (c/n 33510, l/n 939). This 767-381ERF is being ferried by Elan Express from ASP to GYR, via CNS and OGG as ELX67. It will make an overnight stop at OGG tonight. This 767 will be repainted at GYR before being delivered to Samaritan's Purse, as the Christian-based relief organization expands its fleet.

33510's History:

Feb 2006: Delivered to All Nippon Airways as JA603F, as apart of ANA Cargo, under lease from Sojitz Aircraft Leasing.

Feb 2011: Leased to Express Freighters to operate for Qantas Freight as VH-EFR.

Feb 2014: Painted in the full Qantas Freight livery.

Aug 2022: Purchased by Express Freighters.

May 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ASP.

Feb 2025: Acquired by Samaritan's Purse as N367SP.

Mokulele Airlines' N522SA

Southern Airways has allocated N522SA (msn 208B5819) to Mokulele Airlines, and had it ferried from MCE to HNL as FDY8055. This all-midnight blue Grand Caravan EX was formerly with Southern Airways' upper east coast operations based out of IAD. N522SA was delivered to Southern Airways in November 2024.

National Jet Express' N136AB

National Jet Express is taking delivery of N136AB (msn 19000483). This ERJ-190LR is making its delivery flight from OPF to PER, via SBA, HNL, MAJ, and CNS, as JETS1. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight. This E190 is being leased from Regional One, and will be registered as VH-8EB.

19000483's History:

Oct 2011: Delivered to China Southern Airlines as B-3148, under lease from CDB Aviation.

Jan 2020: Leased to Amazonas as CP-3142.

Nov 2024: Acquired by Regional One.

Eastern Airlines' N825KW

Eastern Airlines' 777-212ER, N825KW (c/n 32318, l/n 445), is making a stop from YYC tonight as EAL3501. N825KW made a stop here this past January.

04 March 2025 UPDATE

N825KW repositioned to JRF as EAL9505 (above photo).

07 March 2025 UPDATE

N825KW repositioned to HNL as EAL9506, then returned to YYC as EAL3502.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines celebrates its 100th birthday today. Their centennial began as an aerial crop-dusting company in Macon GA as Huff Daland Dusters on this day in 1925, and became Delta Air Lines three years later. It would not be until 1929, before Delta began passenger operations.

Delta's foray into Hawai‘i began in 1984, and increased their presence as they acquired Western Airlines. They took over Western's routes with their DC-10s. Delta eventually began flights from further east in their route network with L-1011 TriStars, which replaced the DC-10s. The TriStars were replaced by 767-300ERs and 767-400ERs. Delta's routes and fleets further expanded after their merger with Northwest Airlines was completed in 2010. Delta's current flights from Hawai‘i serve ATL, MSP, JFK, DTW, SLC, LAX, SEA, and HND. Delta's fleet service to Hawai‘i also includes 747-400s (retired), 757-200s, 757-300s, A330-300s, A330-900s, A321-200Ns, and A350-900s.

Alliance Airlines' N198JB

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N198JB (msn 19000030). This ERJ-190AR, being flown by Southern Cross International, is making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, OAK, KOA, and MAJ, as SXI2509. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight. This E190 will receive its Australian registration after its arrival at BNE.

19000021's History

Feb 2006: Delivered to jetBlue as N198JB "Big Apple Blue" (f/n 198) with the "Windowpane" tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Oct 2015: Tail livery repainted in the "Tartan" design, and renamed "Blue 4 U".

Nov 2021: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MCN.

May 2024: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services.

Sep 2024: Ferried to SJO for prep to Alliance Airlines.

14 March 2025 UPDATE

This E190 is now registered as VH-A2B.

China Southern Airlines' N238BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N238BE (c/n 65275, l/n 7764) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM, as BOE715. This 737-8 is headed to Boeing China for cabin completion, and will receive its Chinese registration before delivery. It's making an overnight stop at KOA tonight.