China Southern Airlines' B-229G

The second 737-8 delivery flight to make its overnight stop at KOA, is China Southern Airlines' B-229G (c/n 60193, l/n 9733). It's flying from BFI to CAN, with stops at KOA and GUM, as CSN5683. It's also China Southern's second 737-8 delivery in six days.

China Eastern Airlines' B-229A

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-229A (c/n 64023, l/n 9677) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to PVG, with overnight stops at KOA and GUM, as CES500. It's the first of two 737-8 delivery flights at KOA today.

US-Bangla Airlines To Acquire 21 737s

As part of a fleet expansion plans, US-Bangla Airlines [Bangladesh] announced that they have placed an order to lease 15 737-8s, as well as lease six second-hand 737-800s. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in late 2027.

Further information in articles from Reuters, and Aviation Week.

Koala Airlines To Launch With 737-8s

Koala Airlines (Melbourne, Australia) will be soon taking delivery of three leased 737-8s for their new charter operation that is slated to begin service later this year, pending governmental approvals and certifications. 

In 2019, Koala Airlines acquired Desert Air Safaris Pty Ltd, and planned to launch service based out of MEL. The airline does not plan in competing against Qantas and Virgin Australia, but as a niche-market and charter carrier.

Further information in this CH-Aviation.com article.

Boeing's N779XX

Boeing's 777-9 test aircraft, N779XX (c/n 64241, l/n 1574) is making a stop at KOA today from BFI as BOE2. It will perform test flights while based at KOA.

KOA's official Instagram page has a post of N779XX after it arrived.

05 August 2026 UPDATE

N779XX is test flying out of KOA today as BOE2.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IM

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IM "Vivonne Bay" (c/n 67045, l/n 9738) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB (following IFE modifications) to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947.

Shanghai Airlines' N233BE

Boeing is ferrying Shanghai Airlines' N233BE (c/n 64024, l/n 9720) from BFI to HSN for completion. This 737-8, flying as BOE452, will make overnight stops at KOA and GUM. It will receive its Chinese registration upon delivery.

VQ-CCN

Avolon is ferrying VQ-CCN (msn 12943), a grey-tail A320-251N, from SAL [El Salvador International Airport, San Salvador, El Salvador] to CGK, with stops at SBD, JRF, and GUM. This A320N will be painted at CGK, leased to Sun PhuQuoc Airways, registered as VN-A910 and delivered to HAN [Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam],.

12943's History:

Nov 2025: Delivered to Avianca Colombia as N908AV, under lease from Avolon.

Apr 2026: Withdrawn from service, and stored at BOG.

Jly 2026: Re-registered as VQ-CCN, and ferried to SAL for prep for Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

Leading Edge Air Services' RP-C1433

Leading Edger Air Services Corporation is taking delivery of their second Cessna C408 SkyCourier, RP-C1433 (msn 408-0070). It's making its delivery flight, flown by Flight Contract Services, from BEC to CRK, with stops at LVS, VGT, SMX, HNL, MAJ, and GUM. It had its ferry tank installed at VGT (from 06 July), and is making its SMX-HNL segment today.

03 August 2026 UPDATE
RP-C1433 departed for MAJ today.

Air Marshall Islands' V7-2614

Air Marshall Islands is taking delivery of their second C408 SkyCourier. V7-2614 (msn 408-0066) is making its delivery flight from BEC to MAJ, with stops at LVS, VGT (for ferry tanks), SMX, and HNL. This delivery flight being flown by Flight Contract Services.

31 July 2026 UPDATE

V7-2614 departed for MAJ this morning.

QantasLink's VH-X4M

National Jet Systems is taking delivery of VH-X4M "Pink Cockatoo" (msn 55458). This A220-300 is making its delivery flight from YMX to CBR, with stops at YVR, HNL, and NAN, as QLK6076. It's overnight stop at HNL is tonight. The HNL-NAN segment will be flown as QLK6077.

Hurricane Fausto

With Hurricane Fausto approaching the Hawaiian Islands, four US Air Force WC-130Js from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, and NOAA's G-IV, N49RF "Gonzo", have made their trips to Hawai‘i to gather storm information. KOA's Big Island Jet Center posted on their Instagram page that they are handling the "Hurricane Hunters". Usually the WC-130Js will position at JRF when deployed to Hawai‘i.

N49RF has been positioned at OGG for this storm gathering flights. Normally, "Gonzo" is handled by Castle & Cooke Aviation at HNL.

Shandong Airlines' N230BE

Boeing is ferrying Shandong Airlines' N230BE (c/n 64323, l/n 9744) from BFI to HSN for cabin completion. This 737-8, flying as BOE792, is making stops at KOA and GUM.

China Southern Airlines' B-229H

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-229H (c/n 66426, l/n 9741) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN as CSN5682, with stops at HNL and GUM.

Mokulele Airlines' N496SA

Mokulele Airlines is taking delivery of N496SA (msn 208B5943) today. This all-dark blue C208B Grand Caravan is making its delivery flight from MCE to HNL as FDY8021.

This C208B was delivered to Southern Air Express last month.

Cebu Pacific's RP-C4156

Cebu Pacific is ferrying RP-C4156 (msn 3896) from CRK to MZJ, with stops at MNL, GUM, MAJ, and HNL. This A320-214 is being returned its lessor, DAE Capital, is flying as CEB4156, and is making its overnight stop at HNL tonight.

RP-C4156 stopped through HNL in June 2023 on its way to MNL, on its delivery flight to Cebu Pacific. It had "let's fly every Juan" titles applied to the port side when it was painted at CRK, and enter service two months later.

24 July 2026 UPDATE

RP-C4156 departed for MZJ tonight as CEB4156.

9 Air's N782BA

Boeing is ferrying 9 Air's N782BA (c/n 67926, l/n 9695) from BFI to HAK, with overnight stops at JRF and GUM. This grey-tail 737-8 (with Eastar Jet winglets) is using its registration as its flight code, and will receive its Chinese registration upon delivery from HSN. Nothing is listed in available databases, as far as this 737 being ordered and not taken up by Eastar Jet. Current ownership is listed as Phoenix Aviation Capital, a trustee of the Wilmington Trust Company.

This appears to be similar to N769BA, that was ordered by Eastar Jet, not taken up, then later sold to 9Air.

10 August 2026 UPDATE

N782BA was leased to and delivered to 9 Air, and re-registered as B-228V. It was painted in a Jiahewanggang Station special livery at HAK.

Vietnam Airlines To Lease 19 More 737-8s

CH-Aviation reports that Vietnam Airlines will be dry-leasing an additional 19 737-8s from three lessors. These 737-8s are slated to be delivered in 2028. That is ahead of the airline's order for 50 that were placed in this past February, whose deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2030.

N320UE

N320UE (msn 41043), a BAe Jetstream 41 owned by Aircraft Propulsion Leasing, is making a stop at HNL, as it transits from MQY [Smyrna Airport, Smyrna, TN] to NTL [Newcastle-Williamtown Airport / RAAF Williamtown, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia], with stops at WDG [Woodring Regional Airport, Enid, OK], CMA, HNL, CXI, and NLK [Norfolk Island Airport, Norfolk Island]. This Jetstream 41 will be going to FlyPelican, and be based at NTL. It will be the airlines' first Jetstream 41, as they have a fleet of five Jetstream32EPs.

N320UE's History:

Feb 1995: Delivered to Atlantic Coast Airlines, to operate for United Express.

Jly 2008: Sold to Jet Finance Group LLC, and operated by Corporate Flight Management.

Apr 2012: Sold to V1 Leasing II LLC.

__ 2016: Operated for Contour Airlines, and named "Bowling Green, KY".

Dec 2020: Sold to J-41 LLC.

Jly 2021: Sold to Aircraft Propulsion Leasing.

Southern Airways Express Fined For FAA Violations

In two separate rulings, the Federal Aviation Administration has levied a $50,000 fine and another $263,750 fine against Southern Airways Express (Mokulele Airlines' sister-airline) for safety violations. The first fine was assessed for a weight and balanced incident in June 2024, that resulted in a tail-strike as the Cessna C208B Caravan was pushed back. The second fine was assessed for a faulty auto-pilot that lasted through 29 flights in April 2025, before the issue was addressed.

Both FAA news releases did not specify the location for the incidents and aircrafts involved. Southern Airways Express has 30 days to respond to these notices.

The Caravan above is wearing Southern's base livery, that was transferred to Mokulele last year.

Hainan Airlines' B-228Z

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-228Z (c/n 66772, l/n 9736) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to HAK, with overnight stops at KOA and GUM, as CHH2286.

Eastern Airlines' N703KW

Eastern Airlines' 767-336ER, N703KW (c/n 24343, l/n 346, f/n 703), is making a brief fuel stop at HIK from DNA this morning, as EAL3150. It will continue onto HIF as EAL3152.

Philippine Airlines To Add More A350-1000s

Philippine Airlines announced that they will order an additional nine A350-1041s to their existing order of nine A350-1041s, for a total of 18. These A350s are part of the airline's modernization program, and the first two have already been delivered, along with two A350-941s. The A350s (six -941s and 18 -1041s ordered) will replace their A330-343s.

Further details in this Airbus news release.

HDOT-A's Nightly Closure At OGG

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports will conduct nightly closures for OGG's Taxiway A and Runway 2/20, that will being on 25 July, and run to 16 August.

Further information in this HDOT-A news release.

Hawaiian Airlines Inter-Island Cargo Operations

The Alaska Air Group announced today that Hawaiian Airlines will receive 737-800BCFs to operate dedicated inter-island air cargo flights as part of the four 737-800BCFs the air group is acquiring. It was not mentioned how many of the four will be allocated to Hawaiian. These 737s are expected to arrive in the first half of 2027 will be branded as Hawaiian Air Cargo.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Air Group news release.

Hawaiian Air Cargo will be the first use the 737-800F in inter-island air cargo operations, as Aloha Air Cargo uses 737-300Fs and 737-400Fs, and TransAir Hawaii uses 737-200Fs.

HISTORICAL NOTE

This would be the first aircraft in decades to have Hawaiian Air Cargo-liveried freighters. Hawaiian Airlines had a fleet of 11 L-188F Electra freighters that operated inter-island, along with a division based on the mainland. The Hawaiian Air Cargo operation was short lived, from 1976 to 1980. Zantop International Airlines acquired the Electras following the closure of Hawaiian Air Cargo.

Hawaiian Airlines' subsidiary ‘Ohana by Hawaiian had its own inter-island cargo aircraft, with three ATR72-200Fs, during the airline's run.

Hawaiian Airlines 717-200 Replacement

Hawaiian Airlines (and the Alaska Air Group) just announced that they will replace their 19-plane 717-200 fleet with 737-890s from Alaska Airlines, painted in the current Hawaiian Airlines livery. The fleet replacement is scheduled to begin in 2028, as the 717-200s, whose current average age is 24.5 years, will be retired. Alaska's 737-800 fleet average age is currently 18.3 years. The air group plans to rebrand and renovate the cabins, and will feature 30 more Premium Class seats, as well as Starlink wi-fi.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Air group news release.

HISTORICAL NOTE

In the late 1990s, Hawaiian Airlines once considered the 737NG series for replacement of their DC-9-51 fleet, before going the 717-200s (once known as the MD-95).

Philippine Airlines Orders 20 787-10s

Boeing and Philippine Airlines announced at the Farnborough Airshow today, that they have a memorandum of understanding for a firm order of 15 787-10 DreamLiners, along with an option for five more. This is part of Philippine Airlines' fleet modernization project, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2031. These DreamLiners will replace the airline's 777-300ER fleet.

Further information in this Philippine Airlines news release, and this Boeing news release.

Skymark Airlines Adds More 737-10s

Japan's Skymark Airlines and Aviation Capital Group announced at the Farnborough Airshow today, a lease agreement for an additional seven 737-10s, to add to the airline's seven 737-10s they already have on order with Boeing.

Further details in this Aviation Capital Group news release.

Three Airlines Vie For The LNY EAS Contract

With the Essential Air Service (EAS) contract to serve LNY up again, three airlines are vying for the Federal Aviation Administration award. Incumbent Mokulele Airlines, along with Pacific Air Charters, and Cape Air have submitted bids to the FAA for the EAS. Mokulele won the previous two-year contract in 2024, and is poised to try to renew it.

Pacific Air Charters has three P2012s based at HNL, with more on order.

Cape Air, based at HYA [Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Hyannis, MA] has a fleet of 64 Cessna C402s and 30 P2012s (with 70 on order). Cape Air also has an interline agreement with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

Further information in this Hawai‘i News Now report.

Alaska Airlines' N985AK

Alaska Airlines' 2026 FIFA World Cup logo jet, N985AK (c/n 67423, l/n 8695), is making its first daytime appearance at HNL with the decals today. This 737-9 arrived from SEA as ASA626, and returned to SEA a few hours later as ASA90. It's first time to HNL was a few nights ago on a round-trip from ANC.

N985AK had its decals applied at GSO in late May. When not flying revenue flights, it was used as team charters for soccer teams flying to play matches at Seattle Stadium. It made stops at OGG during the World Cup in June and July.

Singapore Airlines' 9V-MBZ

Singapore Airlines is taking delivery of 9V-MBZ (c/n 44269, l/n 9732) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SIN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as SIA8890.

Hawaiian Airlines' N375HA oneWorld Logo Jet

After a few delays, Hawaiian Airlines' A330-243 oneWorld logo jet, N375HA "Humu" (msn 1606) returned home this morning from SIN as ASA9980. It's scheduled to re-enter service later this morning to SYD as ASA851.

Omega Tanker's N235UL

Omega Tanker's newest KDC-10-30CF, N235UL (c/n 46956, l/n 235), is making a stop at HNL from VCV as OME21. This is N235UL's first visit to HNL since entering service last month.

46956's History:

Dec 1976: Delivered to Martinair as PH-MBP "Hong Kong" as a DC-10-30CF.

Nov 1977: Leased to Garuda Indonesia for one month.

Oct 1978: Leased to Garuda Indonesia for one month.

Jan 1979: Leased to Philippine Airlines for one year.

Aug 1982: Leased to Caribbean Airlines (duration unknown).

___ 1985: Leased to Air Seychelles (duration unknown).

Feb 1995: Sold to the Koninklijlke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force), converted to a tanker transport, assigned to 334 Squadron, and registered as T-235 "Jan Scheffer".

___ 2004: Tail painted to commemorate 334 Squadron 60th Anniversary.

Dec 2005: Painted in grey camouflage.

Jun 2014: 70th Anniversary tail art added.

Jun 2019: 75th Anniversary tail art added.

Oct 2021: withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV

Dec 2021: Sold to Omega Tanker, and re-registered as N235UL.

Jun 2026: N235UL enters service for Omega.

17 July 2026 UPDATE

N235UL flies out on refueling mission as OME12.

18 July 2026 UPDATE

N235UL departs for DNA as OME12.

HL8508

HL8508 (c/n 41987, l/n 11), a 787-8 BBJ DreamLiner owned by Samsung, and operated by Korean Air, is making a stop at HNL from GMP as KAL2903.

17 July 2026 UPDATE

HL8508 departed for ICN this evening as KAL2444.

Hawaiian Airlines' N479HA "Moana" Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines has applied decals for the live-action version of "Moana" to one of its 717-22As. N479HA "‘Akepa" (c/n 55124, l/n 5069, f/n 479) will wear the decals for its inter-island flights. It re-entered service this morning as ASA1096 [HNL-OGG].

Sun Country Airlines' N839SY

Sun Country Airlines' N839SY (c/n 42083, l/n 6232, f/n 839) is making a stop at HNL, from LAX this afternoon as SCX8655. This 737-8JP is scheduled to return to LAX tomorrow as SCX8656.

MKK Night Closures

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports will close MKK nightly from 20-23 July 2026 for runway repairs and airfield maintenance.

Further information in this HDOT-A news release.

VQ-CCQ

Bank of America Leasing is having VQ-CCQ (msn 3857) ferried from CGK to TUS, with stops at GUM, MAJ, and HNL. It's overnight stop at HNL is tonight.

3857's History:

Apr 2009: Leased to Aer Lingus as EI-DVJ "St Macartan / Macarthain", under lease fromRBS.

Jun 2009: Acquired by Bank of America Leasing, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2023: Withdrawn from service.

May 2023: Leased to Cebu Pacific as RP-C4160.

Aug 2023: "let's fly every Juan" special titles painted on the port side.

Feb 2026: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to CGK for storage.

N192CP

N192CP (msn 1509), a PC-12/47E, owned by Bank of Hawai‘i, is ferrying from LNK [Lincoln Airport, Lincoln, NE] to HNL, with stops at MCE and ACV [California Redwood Coast -  Humboldt County Airport, Arcata/Eureka, CA].

N192CP's History:

Dec 2014: Delivered to Jerugu LLC.

Sep 2023: Sold to D Rob Burris.

Mar 2024: Sold to Barrier Leasing.

May 2026: Sold to Bank of Hawai‘i.

16 July 2026 UPDATE

N192CP flew to JRF for test flights today, then returned to HNL, and parked in the Royal Air hangar.

Multi-National MRTT Fleet's T-061

T-061 (msn 2030), an A330-243 MRTT, from the Multi-National Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet, operated by the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force), is making a stop at HIK from YAMB tonight, as MMF68.

VP-BEL

Orient Global Singapore's 737-74T BBJ, VP-BEL (c/n 29139, l/n 189), is making a stop at HNL from NRT today.

13 July 2026 UPDATE

VP-BEL departed for PAE this afternoon.

N530XT

Gryphon Trading, a Bank of Utah trustee, is ferrying their A320-232, N530XT (msn 4931), from ASP to P08, with stops at CNS, TRW, and KOA. This A320 is slated to be parted out and scrapped. Its stop at KOA is this evening.

4931's History:

Dec 2011: Delivered to Tiger Airways as 9V-TRD, under lease from Pembroke.

Jly 2013: Airline re-brands as Tigerair.

Jly 2017: Sold to Itochu, leased to Scoot as 9V-TRD, and named "Felix".

Jan 2024: Leased to Jetstar Asia as 9V-JSY.

Jly 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at SIN.

Oct 2025: Acquired by Jetstar Airways as VH-X3R, ferried to ASP for storage; never inducted into service.

Jun 2026: Acquired by Gryphon Trading as N530XT.

09 July 2026 UPDATE

N530XT departed for P08 for storage, early this morning.

VP-CYW

VP-CYW (msn 4228), an A319-115CJ ACJ owned by Bliss Surplus Ltd [China], and operated by Business Aviation Asia, is making a stop at HNL from KIX today.

09 July 2026 UPDATE

VP-CYW departed for LAS this morning.

Federal Express' N605FE

Federal Express is ferrying N605FE "April Star" (c/n 48514, l/n 515, f/n 605) from MEM to HNL as FDX619 tonight. The express forwarder also has N643FE "Haley" (c/n 48486, l/n 509, f/n 605) here, parked on the ‘Ewa Ramp, since the grounding in November. N605FE is scheduled to depart for LAX tomorrow evening.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVS

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MVS (c/n 68154, l/n 9712) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as MAS5041.

RIMPAC Maritime Patrol Aircraft Display

Maritime patrol aircraft participating in RIMPAC 2026 were on display this morning at Marine Corps Air Field Kāne‘ohe Bay. A P-8A Poseidon from the US Navy's VP-40 "Fighting Marlins" and a Kawasaki P-1 from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's 5 Kokutai were on display. Commanders from the US Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Republic of Korea Navy were also on hand at the event. There were also P-8As from the US Navy's VP-4 and RAAF's 11 Squadron departing the base for sorties, as a well as an RCAF CP-140 Aurora performing touch and go landings.

Here is a link to our YouTube video of the event.

VP-CTT

Phenix Jet Cayman's VP-CTT (c/n 38751, l/n 3796) is making a stop at HNL today from GED, with a stop at LAX, as CPJ88. This is this 737-7ZH BBJ's second HNL stopover this year. VP-CTT arrived at GED on 26 May, and the airport has a facility that specializes in business jet cabin interiors.

11 July 2026 UPDATE

VP-CTT departed for NRT this afternoon as CPJ88.

Lynden Air Cargo's N401LC

Lynden Air Cargo's L-100-30, N401LC (msn 382-4606) is making as stop at HNL from ANC as LYC519.

07 July 2026 UPDATE

N401LC departed for AWK this morning.

08 July 2026 UPDATE

N401LC is returning to HNL, from AWK, this afternoon.

09 July 2026 UPDATE

N401LC departed for AWK this morning as LYC519.

Hawaiian Airlines' N381HA "Moana" Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines has applied "Moana" decals on to N381HA "Hōkūle‘a" (msn 1114, f/n 381), for promotion of the Disney live-action motion picture. This A330-243 is flying to SEA this afternoon as ASA822, and return tomorrow as ASA821.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IL

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IL "Mooloolaba Beach" (c/n 67042, l/n 9708). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. Its stop at KOA is tonight.

Air Vanuatu's VH-IGJ

Air Vanuatu is taking delivery of VH-IGJ (msn 19020183) today. This white-tail E190-E2 is making its delivery flight from SJK to BNE with stops at BGI, OPF, OAK, HNL, and CXI, as AKL1. It's being leased from Australian Corporate Jet Centres.

Aloha Airlines' N823AL

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" Aloha Airlines' tribute, features 737-230/Adv, N823AL "Liholiho" (c/n 23154, l/n 1078, f/n 823), seen above, on a short final for Runway 26R in 2005.

N823AL was painted several months later in the retro "Funbird" livery to celebrate Aloha Airlines' 60th anniversary in 2006, and the name "Liholiho" was retained.

23154's History:

Jan 1985: Delivered to Lufthansa as D-ABMB "Ingolstadt".

___ 1993: Painted in the Lufthansa current livery.

Dec 1996: Acquired by Aloha Airlines as N823AL "Liholiho".

Jun 2006: Painted in the "Funbird" retro livery (above photo).

Mar 2008: Aloha ceased operations.

Jun 2008: Ferried to MHV for storage.

Apr 2017: Scrapped at MHV by Moto Art, fuselage skin were upcycled into PlaneTags, and other parts were upcycled as Moto Art products.