Virgin Australia's VH-8VC

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8VC "Torquay Beach" (c/n 67036, l/n 9295). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with overnight stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. VH-8VC is making its ONT-KOA segment today.

Boeing And China Close To Large Order

CH-Aviation reports that Boeing and the Chinese government are close to closing a deal that would be an order of 500 airliners. The deal has not been finalized, but would be a big boost for Boeing.

N907WS Sold To PrismJet

CH-Aviation's Business Jet News reports that N907WS (msn 9176), the HNL-based Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000, owned by N907WS Aviation LLC [Honolulu, HI], and operated by Pinnacle Aviation Charter, was sold to PrismJet.

Virgin Australia's VH-VUJ

Virgin Australia is returning VH-VUJ "Rosebud Beach" (c/n 34443, l/n 2056) to its lessor, Aviation Capital Group. This 737-8FE is making its ferry flight from BNE to P08, with overnight stops at NAN and HNL, as VOZ9946.

VH-VUJ had been through HNL twice during the pandemic, as it was returned to its lessor, then re-leased, and returned Down Under. 

Xiamen Air's B-227A

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-227A (c/n 43845, l/n 8194) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to XMN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CXA800. This is the last of the Xiamen Air 737-8 holdovers from the grounding and pandemic, and the airlines' third to deliver this month.

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors Team Charter

The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors are chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their road trip to play against the Air Force Academy Falcons on Saturday. N213HA "Lama" (msn 8237, f/n 213) is flying the team to COS as HAL708, and will re-position to PDX as HAL9709.

27 September 2025 UPDATE 

N212HA "Wiliwili" (msn 8219) repositioned from PDX to COS as HAL8710. This A321-271N is flying the victorious Rainbow Warriors back home as HAL711, with a stop at OAK. The OAK-HNL leg will be flown as HAL713.

Royal Australian Air Force's A47-013

The Royal Australian Air Force is taking delivery of A47-013 (c/n 67451, l/n ____) today.This P-8A, flying as POSIDN1, is making its delivery flight from BFI to YPED [RAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia]. It will make overnight stops at HIK and NAN.

5,000,000 Views!

At some point today, we broke the 5,000,000 page and post views mark! Mahalo to all of the contributors, and all of our readers who have made this milestone possible! You are all very much appreciated!

Onward to 6,000,000!

Shenzhen Airlines' B-20DP

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-20DP (c/n 61157, l/n 7798) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SZX as CSZ20DP, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM.

China Southern Airlines' N253BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N253BE (c/n 65250, l/n 7875) from BFI to HSN for cabin completion today. Flying as BOE719, this 737-8 will make overnight stops at KOA and GUM.

Fresno State Bulldogs' Team Charter

The Fresno State Bulldogs football team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-200ER for their road game against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N207AX "Kiani" (c/n 30438, l/n 845), a 767-224ER, is flying the Bulldogs from FAT to HNL as OAE3161. The team is scheduled to return to FAT following the game.

20 September 2025 UPDATE

The Bulldogs will return to FAT tonight aboard N207AX, as OAE3161, following their 23-21 win.

Viva's VQ-CAW

Aviation Capital Group is flying VQ-CAW (msn 5697) from KUL to MTY, via GUM, HNL, and SBD. This A320-232 will be delivered to, and leased to Viva. It will be making a short fuel stop at HNL. This is the second former Scoot A320 to be leased Viva.

5697's History:

Jly 2013: Delivered to Tigerair as 9V-TRK, under lease from GECAS.

Sep 2015: Sold to Aviation Capital Group, and the lease transferred.

Jly 2017: Leased to Scoot following the merger with Tigerair as 9V-TRK "Scooting Star".

Oct 2020: Stored at SIN during the pandemic.

Jun 2022: Returned to service.

Apr 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at KUL.

Sep 2025: Returned to ACG, and registered as VQ-CAW.

All Nippon Airways' JA381A Collision With Container

All Nippon Airways' A380-841, JA381A "Lani" (msn 262), collided with a runaway cargo container as it taxied for departure to NRT this afternoon as ANA181. Eye witness reports say that the cargo container and trailer belonged to Federal Express, and the damage to the A380 was on the starboard wing. Since none of the 498 aboard suffered any injuries, the NTSB will not get involved.

JA381A continued to taxi on Taxiway A to cross Runway 8L to Taxiway B to return to Gate C9. The A380 was towed to the ‘Ewa Ramp this afternoon for evaluation and repairs.

This post will be updated as more information and reports become available.

16 September 2025 UPDATE

Another eyewitness report stated that the number 4 engine made contact with the rogue container. In the above photo, it appears that the number 4 engine appears to be angled up a bit.

No reports have been listed on the FAA Safety website, nor the Aviation Safety Network nor the Aviation Herald.

17 September 2025 UPDATE

An article regarding the incident appeared on the AviationWire.jp website. It states that the container that struck the A380 was an ANA container, but based upon the photos I have seen following the incident, it was a FedEx container that got loose.

20 September 2025 UPDATE

The Aviation Safety Network has an incident report on their website.

29 September 2025 UPDATE

Following repair completion, JA381A returned to NRT as ANA9401 today.

01 October 2025 UPDATE 

JA381A returned to service today as ANA182.

Aeronautica Militare's MM62226

A KC-767A from the Aeronautica Militare's (Italian Air Force) 8º Gruppo is making a stop at HNL. MM62226 (c/n 33686, l/n 912, f/n 14-01), wearing the unit's 100th anniversary tail livery arrived earlier today from LAS as IAM1441. MM62226 is the first KC-767A ever produced by Boeing.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 140117

A CP-140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force's 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron / 19 Wing, is making a stop at HNL. 140117 (msn 5723) arrived from YQQ earlier today.

Air China's N247BE

Boeing is ferrying Air China's N247BE (c/n 60923, l/n 7813) from BFI to HSN today, with overnight stops at KOA then GUM. Flying as BOE276, this 737-8 will undergo cabin completion at HSN, and will revert to its Chinese registration, B-20DJ upon delivery. This was Air China's last 737-8 that was stored as part of the grounding and pandemic.

Air Niugini's P2-PGA

Air Niugini is taking delivery of their first A220-300, P2-PGA (msn 55388). It's making its delivery flight from YMX to POM, via HNL and NAN. Its HNL stop will be a brief fuel stop. P2-PGA was painted in a special livery commemorating Papua New Guinea's 50 anniversary of independence. This is the first of three A220-300s that are being leased from Azorra.

Virgin Australia's VH-8VB

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8VB "Tamar River" (c/n 67035, l/n 9284) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with overnight stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. It's making its stop at KOA today.

Republic of Singapore Air Force Orders Four P-8As

The Republic of Singapore Air Force confirmed that they have placed an order for four P-8A Poseidons with Boeing. The P-8As will replace the five aging Fokker F50 Enforcer II MPAs.

Further information in this TWZ article.

VP-CTT

Phenix Jet's 737-7ZH BBJ, VP-CTT (c/n 38751, l/n 3796), is making a stop at HNL from LAX as CPJ88. This is VP-CTT's first stop at HNL for 2025.

13 September 2025 UPDATE

VP-CTT will continue onto NRT today.

Hawaiian Airlines' New CEO

The Alaska Air Group announced this morning that a new CEO will replace current CEO Joe Sprague, as he announced his retirement. Diana Birkett Rakow will assume command of Hawaiian Airlines on 29 October.

Further details in this Alaska Air Group press release.

Xiamen Air's N231BE

Boeing is ferrying Xiamen Air's N231BE (c/n 43847, l/n 8248) from BFI to HSN today, as BOE391. This grey-tail 737-8 is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM.

Two Hawaiian Airlines Airliners In Ground Collision

According to eyewitness reports, a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243, N390HA "Namahoe" (msn 1389) was under tow when its port side winglet clipped the a corner of the starboard elevator of 717-22A, N480HA "Pueo" (c/n 55125, l/n 5070) this afternoon.

N480HA had just emerged from a C-check, and was parked near the hangar. N390HA was also involved in an uncontrolled collision with a jet bridge several days ago, when the chocks were removed while the parking brakes were off.

China Southern Airlines' B-20D6

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-20D6 (c/n 65258, l/n 7715) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM.

HDOT-A Hosts JRF Master Plan Meeting

The Airports Division of the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT-A) and aviation consultant firm Ricondo, hosted an open forum style meeting this evening at the Honol‘uli‘uli Middle School Cafeteria to give the public an introductory look at the master plan for the Kalaeloa Airport (JRF). People from HDOT-A and Ricondo were on-hand to answer questions from the public. The master plan is schedule to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027.

All three runways will need to undergo shoulder improvements, similar to what HNL went through. Runway 11/29 is temporarily closed due to the quality of the asphalt.

Million Air is undergoing the permitting process for construction of their facility that they proposed for their FBO services.

One of the issues that are being worked on is the aircraft noise issue that affects the surrounding areas of Kapolei and ‘Ewa Beach. Another community concern is the increased use of JRF, though the airport is under-utilized, and considered as a reliever airport by the FAA.

We learned that the land west of the Million Air fuel farm, that is occupied by a trucking company and other tenants, as well as the area south of Runway 11/29 are under the control of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

Further information can be found at the Kalaeloa Airport Master Plan website.

Hawaiian Airlines Aviation Technician Development Program

Hawaiian Airlines and Honolulu Community College launched their aviation technician development program today. This program is an upgrade to a program that both entities began in 2016.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Aloha Air Cargo's N440KH

Aloha Air Cargo is taking delivery of N440KH (c/n 28889, l/n 3000). This 737-490F, under lease from Automatic LLC, is making its delivery flight from OPF to HNL, via OAK, as AAH9440.

28889's History:

Feb 1998: Delivered to Alaska Airlines as N794AS.

Dec 2017: Delivered to Flair Airlines as C-FLHE.

Aug 2020: Acquired by Automatic LLC as N889AU, and converted to a freighter.

Jan 2021: Leased to Poste Air Cargo as EI-GUB.

Jly 2025: Returned to lessor, and ferried to DHN, then OPF, for prep for Aloha Air Cargo.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N806HC

N806HC "Kili‘o‘opu" (msn 594), ‘Ohana by Hawaiian's ATR42-500 that was ferried to COE [Pappy Boyington Field, Coeur D'Alene Airport, Coeur D'Alene, ID] following the shutdown of the Hawaiian Airlines' subsidiary, was recently photographed at COE in a state of being parted out (top photo). The above photo shows N806HC in 2018, on the ‘Ohana by Hawaiian ramp.

Here are the fates of the rest of the ʻOhana by Hawaiian fleet:

N801HC "Kaiāulu": Scrapped at HNL in Aug 2021

N804HC "Holo Kaomi": Sold to NTE Aviation in Jun 2023 for parts

N805HC "Hikipua": Sold to Rise Air, and registered as C-GRYI in Feb 2023

N807HC "Paʻalā": Sold to Wasaya Airlines as C-GWRQ "In The Spirit of Jerry Mamakwa" in Jly 2022

N810HC "Alaʻoli": Sold to Wasaya Airlines as C-GWRD in May 2022

N811HC "Moaʻe Lehua": Sold to Fleet International Airlines as HA-KAY in Mar 2024.

All except N801HC were ferried to the Empire Airlines base at COE.

C-FHHD

The Avmax Group is ferrying C-FHHD (msn 578), a Dash8-315 Q300, from ASP to YYC, via CNS, MAJ, HNL, and ACV. It departed ASP on 04 September, and will make its overnight stop at HNL tonight.

578's History:

Jan 2002: Delivered to Sunstate Airlines was VH-SBJ to operate for QantasLink.

May 2009: Acquired by Eastern Australia Airlines to operate for QantasLink.

Aug 2009: Leased to Cobham Aviation to operate for National Jet Systems.

Jly 2012: Returned to Eastern Australia Airlines to operate for QantasLink.

__ 2017: Painted in the current QantasLink livery, and named "Griffith".

Jun 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ASP.

24 November 2025 UPDATE 

C-FHHD will be leased Pivot Airlines [Canada].

Fuerza Aerea Colombiana FAC-001

FAC-0001 (c/n 29272, l/n 323), the Fuerza Aerea Colombiana's 737-74V BBJ, is making a fuel stop at HIK as it returns to BOG from KIX. It will continue onto CUN from HIK.

Xiamen Air's B-20DY

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-20DY (c/n 64681, l/n 7948) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to XMN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CXA800.

Hawaiian Airlines To Adjust 787 Order

Hawaiian Airlines, and the Alaska Air Group, has stated that five of the remaining 787-9s on order with Boeing, will be converted to the 787-10 variant.

Further information in this CH-Aviation article, and this Reuters article.

Virgin Australia's VH-E2A

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of its first ERJ-190E2, VH-E2A "Coral Bay" (msn 19020185). It's making its delivery flight from SJK [San Jose dos Campos Regional Airport, SaoPaulo, Brazil) to PER, via CUR, BRO, ONT, KOA, NAN, and CBR, as VOZ9943. This E190-E2, operated by Virgin Australia Regional, is the 1,900th E-Jet built, and has a decal on VH-E2A noting the milestone. It's making it's overnight stop at KOA tonight.

Federal Express Launches 757 Inter-island Flights

As we have reported since this past July, three Federal Express 757-200Fs have been in the islands. One at HNL, another at OGG, and another at ITO undergoing ground training. From today, FedEx is launching Monday-to-Friday inter-island flights out of HNL to OGG, and to ITO.

HNL-ITO: FDX1005 and FDX 1007 // ITO-HNL: FDX1006 and FDX1008

HNL-OGG: FDX1001 and FDX1003 // OGG-HNL: FDX1002 and FDX1004

In a related note, the Corporate Air-operated C408Fs have been flying exclusively between HNL and LIH, while their C208s have been serving the smaller airports like JHM, MKK and LNY.

Maui Police Department's N468WA

The Maui Police Department MBB-BK 117-B2, N468WA, flew MPD Chief John Pelletier from OGG to the grounds of the Valley of the Temples Cemetery for the memorial service for fallen MPD officer Suzanne O today. The helicopter, operated by Windward Aviation, landed shortly before the noon private service, and returned to OGG a few hours later.

Optimum Air Launches Air Ambulance Service

KHON reports that Las Vegas-based Optimum Air launched its PC-12 air ambulance service at HNL today. The aircraft is outfitted to take one patient and up to four medical personnel and equipment, with two pilots. Their flights will cover all islands. N444FT (msn 322) arrived at HNL on 21 July 2025, and has been test flying since 01 August. This PC-12/45 is owned by On The Horizon Aviation LLC (Tampa, FL), and operated for Optimum Air by Air Fuga.

Optimum Air joins Hawai‘i Life Flight as competing air ambulance service in the islands.