Malaysia Airlines 9M-MVN

Today, Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-8 in two weeks. 9M-MVN (c/n 43355, l/n 9224) is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM, as MAS5041. It will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Air New Zealand's ZK-NNI

Air New Zealand is taking delivery of ZK-NNI (msn 12593). This A321-271NX is making its delivery flight from XFW to AKL, via YHZ, YVR, HNL, and APW, ANZ6093. It will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight. It's one of the rare times that Air New Zealand is making a westbound delivery from XFW.

Hainan Airlines' B-225V

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-8 in three days. B-225V (c/n 65218, l/n 9187) is making its delivery flight from BFI to HAK, via HNL and GUM, as CHH2253. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Donghai Airlines' N233BE

Boeing is ferrying Donghai Airlines' N233BE (c/n 61290, l/n 9194) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM, for painting and cabin completion. This grey-tail 737-8 is flying as BOE108, and will make its overnight stop at KOA tonight. It will receive its Chinese registration before delivery.

Tsunami Effects On Hawai‘i Flights

A Pacific Rim-wide tsunami alert was generated from today's earthquake off of the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. The National Weather Service put the state of Hawai‘i was put on a tsunami warning this afternoon at 14:44HAST. The estimated impact time is 19:17HAST, with Hanalei expecting impact seven minutes earlier.

As a result, ITO halted operations a couple of hours later. No other airports have halted operations since the subsequent NWS warnings and alerts went out.

At HNL, Mokulele Airlines moved five of their C208Bs over to the Mauka Extension gates.

The US Coast Guard has HC-130J 2011 is orbiting the island of Kaua‘i.

18:00 UPDATE

The Airline Videos Instagram account posted two flights returning to LAX. Southwest Airlines' SWA3495 to HNL, 737-8, N8718Q and Delta Air Lines' DAL311 to KOA, A321-271NX, N509DT were two of the flights that were posted. Over a dozen flights turned back to their origin. OGG has also suspended operations for the evening. Several flights out of HNL were canceled.

Virgin Australia's VH-8II

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8II "Aldinga Beach" (c/n 65121, l/n 9216) today. It's making its delivery flight from MLB (after cabin modifications) to BNE, via ONT and KOA as VOZ9947. It will make its overnight stop at KOA tonight.

Hainan Airlines' B-225R

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-225R (c/n 64318, l/n 9155) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to HAK, via HNL and GUM, as CHH2252. It will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Qatar Executive's A7-AAH

Qatar Executive's A340-313, A7-AAH (msn 528), is making a stop at HNL this morning. It arrived from NRT, and flew under its registration as its call-sign.

528's History:

Apr 2003: Delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-SJP, under lease from Boeing Aircraft Holding Company, but did not enter service.

Oct 2003: Leased to China Airlines as B-18851 (above photo).

Mar 2006: Subleased to Mandarin Airlines.

Aug 2007: Acquired by Qatar Amiri Flight as A7-AAH, and converted to a VIP transport.

Sep 2016: Transferred to Qatar Executive.

30 July 2025 UPDATE 

A7-AAH repositioned to the ‘Ewa Hardstands.

02 August 2025 UPDATE

A7-AAH departed for KOA this afternoon.

08 August 2025 UPDATE

A7-AAH departed for LAX this morning.

US Air Force's 75-0558

75-0558 (c/n 21208, l/n 909), an E-3G from the 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron / 552nd Operations Group made a stop at HIK tonight as DNALI01.

29 July 2025 UPDATE

75-0558 departed for EDF as DNALI01 this morning.

Alliance Airlines' N239JB

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N239JB (msn 19000040). Southern Cross International is flying this ERJ-190AR from SJO to  BNE, via SDM, OAK, KOA, and MAJ, as SXI2532. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

19000040's History:

Aug 2006: Delivered to jetBlue as N239JB "Blissfully Blue" (f/n 239) with the "Stripes" tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Sep 2013: Tail livery repainted in the "Blueberries" design.

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

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

Feb 2025: Ferried to SJO for prep to Alliance Airlines.

02 August 2025 UPDATE

It was registered as VH-A2K after its delivery flight.

US Navy's 169561 Scrapped At MCAS Kāneʻohe Bay

169561 (c/n 66094, l/n 8026), the US Navy P-8A Poseidon that had the runway excursion at NGF in November 2023, was scrapped this week on the NGF ramp. The damage to the P-8A was deemed to be irreparable, and too costly, with equipment and airframe exposed to the bay's saltwater.

A time-lapse video is on the Fl360Aero Instagram page.

Maui Police Department's N468WA

The Maui Police Department took delivery of a new helicopter, N468WA "Hekili" (msn ___). This Eurocopter MBB-BK 117-B2, owned and operated by Windward Aviation, is equipped with night-vision and rescue gear. 

This is the 3rd MBB-BK 117-B2 that Windward Aviation owns and operates. The first, N154AM (msn 7154), is operated for Air Method's LifeStar as an air ambulance, and the second is N828WA (msn 7219), that's operated for the Maui Fire Department.

Further information in this Hawaii News Now report.

N101XW

N101XW (msn 208B0382), Joby Aero's autonomous flying Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, operated by Xwing, is making a stop at HNL from SUU today. It flies on behalf of the US Air Force's Air Force Research Laboratory and the AFWERX programs.

25 July 2025 UPDATE

N101XW is flying inter-island to OGG and KOA.

31 July 2025 UPDATE

N101XW departed for CCR this morning.

Alaska Air Group To Convert Five 787-9 Options

In today's release of its second quarter report, the Alaska Air Group will convert five of the eight remaining 787-9 options it held with Boeing to firm orders. These additional five DreamLiners will bring the total fleet size to 17 (four in service, 13 on order). 

In March 2018, Hawaiian Airlines initially ordered ten 787-9s, with an option for another ten. The airline converted two of the options to firm orders in January 2023.

Further information in this Alaska Air Group press release.

Northern Air Cargo To End 767-300ERF Operations

Saltchuk announced that they will end their 767-300ERF operations in October 2025, as part of a streamlining of operations. This will affect Aloha Air Cargo, Northern Air Cargo, and Strat Air. Northern Air Cargo operates the 767-300ERFs for Aloha Air Cargo and Strat Air.

Northern Air Cargo said that they, and Aloha Air Cargo, will focus on their respective markets in Alaska and Hawai‘i, with 737 freighters.

Further details in this Cargo Facts article.

Air Premia And Amazon Air Cargo Interline Agreement

World Airline News reports that Air Premia and Amazon Air Cargo formed an interline agreement for Air Premia's ICN-HNL service. The cargo service, branded as "Aloha Express", will allow both firms to utilize each other's flight networks with HNL being the focal transfer point.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVL

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MVL (c/n 43351, l/n 9169) today. This 737-8, under lease from ALC, is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM, as MAS5041. It will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Shenzhen Airlines' N240BE

Boeing is ferrying Shenzhen Airlines' N240BE (c/n 61153, l/n 8235) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM. This 737-8 is flying as BOE955, and will make its overnight stop at KOA tonight. It's not known if this 737 is painted in the full Shenzhen livery.

N4312L

Coulson Aviation is taking delivery of N4312L (msn 382-4312). This C-130H is making its delivery flight from BHE to TRM, via AKL, PPG, and KOA. It's making its overnight stop at KOA tonight.

This is Coulson's third of four former Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H to be ferried from New Zealand to California.

382-4312's History:

Dec 1968: Built as 68-8218, and delivered to the RNZAF's 40 Squadron as NZ7004.

Nov 2023: Withdrawn from service. 

Jan 2025: Officially retired from service.

Apr 2025: Sold to Coulson Aviation USA.

Federal Express' N948FD

Federal Express has flown in N948FD "Anissa" (c/n 25059, l/n 363, f/n 948) for an ETOPS certification flight and ground training today. This 757-236F flew in from MEM, via OAK, as FDX9075.

25059's History:

Apr 1991: delivered to British Airways as G-BPED "Blair Castle".

Jun 1997: Painted with the "Kogutki Lowickie" tail livery.

Jan 2004: Repainted in the current livery.

Sep 2009: Withdrawn from service, and stored at LHR.

Jun 2010: Ferried to LGW for storage.

Aug 2010: Purchased by Federal Express as N948FD, and ferried to VCV for storage.

Dec 2010: Ferried to XSP for freighter conversion.

Jun 2011: Named "Anissa", and inducted into service.

14 August 2025 UPDATE

N948FD ferried to OGG as FDX9078.

29 August 2025 UPDATE

N948FD departed for HNL today as FDX9079.

Garuda Indonesia's PK-GDC

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GDC (c/n 63386, l/n 8954) today. This 737-8, LEASED FROM BOC, is making its flight from BFI to CGK, via KOA and GUM, as GIA8201. It will overnight at KOA tonight. 

This 737 was originally going to be leased to Lynx Air as C-FFIK, but the airline shutdown in February 2024. Air Canada was going to lease it, but ended up backing out a few months ago. It was spotted at BFI as white-tail with the Lynx Air colors on the winglets a few weeks ago (above photo). It's not known if PK-GDC was painted in the Garuda livery.

N208EE

Southern Airways Express ferried in N208EE (msn 208B1213) from STL to KOA, via DFW, ELP, PHX, LAX, MCE, and HNL. This C208B arrived at HNL this afternoon.

208B1213's History:

Oct 2006: Delivered to Edward Evans as N208EE.

Feb 2011: Sold to Gogal Air Services as C-GAGP.

Jly 2014: Sold to Aircraft Structures International as N208EE.

Jan 2015: Sold to Air Choice One as N208EE.

__ 2019: Painted in the new Air Choice One livery.

Apr 2022: Air Choice One acquired by Southern Airways Express, and transferred.

15 July 2025 UPDATE 

N208EE departed for KOA this morning as FDY8043.

20 July 2025 UPDATE

N208EE was inducted into service today.

Xiamen Air's B-226Z

The third of three 737-8s delivering through HNL today is Xiamen Air's B-226Z (c/n 43840, l/n 8100). It's making its delivery flight from PAE to XMN, via HNL and GUM, as CXA800. It will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight.

China Eastern Airlines' B-20A3

The second of the three delivery flights today, is China Eastern Airlines' B-20A3 (c/n 61637, l/n 7440). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to PVG, via HNL and GUM as CES299. It will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight. B-20A3 was originally allocated by China Eastern to Shanghai Airlines, but was re-taken a few months ago.

Shandong Airlines' B-20E2

HNL will have three 737 delivery flights stop through today. The first of the three is Shandong Airlines' B-20E2 (c/n 61456, l/n 7878). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to JNA, via HNL and GUM as CDG9005, and will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight.

QantasLink's VH-8NY

Southern Cross International is delivering QantasLink's VH-8NY (msn 2711) from BQN to PER, via PHX, KOA, APW, and CNS. This A319-132, operated by Network Aviation, is flying as SXI2531, and will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

2711's History:

Mar 2006: Delivered to Spirit Airlines as N517NK "Spirit of Orlando" (f/n 517), under lease from ILFC.

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

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

___ 2020: Fleet number redesigned as 1517.

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

Feb 2024: Acquired by Gryphon Aviation Leasing.

Oct 2024: Ferried to MCN to prep for Network Aviation.

Jan 2025: Ferried to BQN.

China Southern Airlines' N244BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N244BE (c/n 63291, l/n 7887) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM for cabin completion. This 737-8 is flying as BOE708, and is making its overnight stop at KOA tonight. It will be re-registered as B-226K upon delivery.

US Marshals Service's N311MS

The US Marshals Service flew N311MS (c/n 30670, l/n 1481) from VCV to HNL today. Flying as DOJ361, this 737-8Q8, is making an inmate transfer flight.

N311MS was last seen at HNL in December 2023.

10 July 2025 UPDATE

N311MS returned to VCV as DOJ364.

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

The HNL RareBirds™ team wishes our American readers a Happy Independence Day!

US Coast Guard Renames Geographic Districts

The US Coast Guard announced today that they are renaming their geographic districts around the nation. For the 14th District that covers Hawai‘i, American Sāmoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Japan, and Singapore, will be renamed the Oceania District.

For the renaming of other USCG Districts, please see this USCG press release.

N3261S Crash Landing

N3261S (msn 18255761), a Cessna C182G Skylane, owned by Big Island Gravity LLC, made a hard landing on the roadway at Kekaha Kai State Park, north of KOA this morning. The pilot reported engine power loss and made the emergency landing on the park's road, and was able to walk away. The park, however, was closed until the C182G could be removed.

Instagram account, Big Island Thieves Media posted this photo of the crash site.

Further information in this Aviation Safety Network report.

Air Premia Launches Seasonal ICN-HNL Service

South Korea's Air Premia launched four-times weekly service between ICN and HNL today. HL8702 (c/n 37308, l/n 418) made the first flight today as APZ151 that arrived after noon, and returned to ICN as APZ152 a couple of hours later.

N366NT

N366NT (msn 208B5886) is making its island-hopping delivery flight across the Pacific from IDP to DRW, via SOW, MCE, HNL, MAJ, and HIR. This C208B Grand Caravan is owned and operated by Gateway Air Center for the delivery flight, and will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight. The new owner's registration is currently covered up by the temporary US registration. We will update this post once the new owner and registry are revealed.

03 July 2025 UPDATE 

N366NT departed for MAJ this morning.

05 July 2025 UPDATE 

N366NT departed for HIR in the morning.

06 July 2025 UPDATE

N366NT departed for DRW in the morning.

17 July 2025 UPDATE 

This C208B was registered to Hardy Aviation (N.T.) Pty, Ltd [Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia], as VH-UOX.

China Airlines' B-1866

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features China Airlines' 747-209B, B-1866 (c/n 21843, l/n 386) as it taxied to Runway 26L on Taxiway RT. This 1997 photo shows B-1866 about to return to TPE (via NRT) as CAL17.

21843's History:

Jly 1979: Delivered to China Airlines.

___ 1996: Painted in the current livery.

May 1999: Re-registered as B-18255.

May 2002: Crashed 20 minutes after departing TPE on 25 May 2002, as CAL611 [TPE-HKG], all 225 aboard killed.

B-18255 was on its last flight for China Airways, and was scheduled to be sold to Orient Thai Airways.