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.

Transair Hawaii's N737CS

Transair Hawaii (flying as Rhoades Aviation) will be ferrying N737CS (c/n 23273, l/n 1089) to TNN, via MAJ and GUM, for a C-check before it can resume scheduled cargo operations. This 737-2T4C is the first of two 737-200Cs that the inter-island cargo airline will send to TNN for a C-check. N737CS flew a test flight yesterday.

20 November 2025 UPDATE

N737CS departed for TNN today as RDS737, and will make stops at MAJ and GUM.

Rhoades Aviation's Inter-Island Focus

According to an application for Certificate of Conveyance and Public Necessity filed with the US Department of Transportation, Rhoades Aviation / Transair Hawaii, noted their main cargo operations focus will be on the inter-island market. The airline plans to return to service this December, after it was cleared to resume operations by the FAA in April 2025.

In order to return to service, two Rhoades Aviation 737-200Cs currently listed as active, must undergo C-Checks. N306AL (c/n 23066, l/n 992), N326TR (c/n 20917, l/n 344), N737CS (c/n 23272, l/n 1093),  and N809TA (c/n 23796, l/n 1420) are the remaining 737s, but no two airframes were specified in the application.

Since Rhoades grounded their 737-200Cs in July 2021, they spend time in storage outside the Transair Hawaii maintenance hangar, though N306AL has been seen towed to the Transair Hawaii operations ramp, and has taxied out to Taxiway R for engine run-ups within the past few months.

Rhoades Aviation Cleared To Resume Operations

Rhoades Aviation, the 737-200F operations of Transair Hawaii, has been cleared to resume operations by the FAA. The airline stated that they are aiming for the restart in the fourth quarter of this year. Since Rhoades' operations were suspended following the crash of N810TA, and revocation of their operating certificate, the four remaining 737-200Fs sat at their hangar, or on their ramp.

The four remaining 737-200Fs are:

N306AL | 23066 | 992 | -2T4C/A

N326TR | 20917 | 344 | -210C/A

N737CS | 23272 | 1093 | -2T4C/A

N809TA | 23796 | 1420 | -209F/A

TransAir's 737-2Q8/A N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059) has continued to operate as this passenger 737 is separate from the Rhoades Aviation certificate.

Further details in this CH-Aviation.com article.

USDOT Revokes Rhoades Certificate

CH-Aviation reports that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has revoked Rhoades Aviation's certificate of public convenience and necessity, effectively shutting the airline down. Rhoades can reapply after a period of one year. The FAA already had revoked its operating certificate on 30 January 2023.

Aloha Airlines' N824AL PlaneTags

MotoArt has released PlaneTags of Aloha Airlines' 737-282, N824AL "Kalaniʻopuʻu" (c/n 23045, l/n 978), which was retired following the closure of Aloha Airlines in 2008.

FAA Proposes Rhoades Aviation AOC Revocation

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed to revoke the Air Operators Certificate for Rhoades Aviation (dba TransAir Hawaii) for numerous safety violations. The proposal cites general violations, as well as violations with their 737-200 operations. Their four 737-200Fs have been grounded since the crash of N810TA in July 2021.  Rhoades Aviation has 15 days to respond to the FAA notice.

However, the lone passenger 737-2Q8/Adv, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059) has been operating as MUI1 quite frequently of late. It's not flying under Rhoades' RDS flight code, as it's registered to TransAir Hawaii.

TransAir Hawaii's Short SD360s have continued to operate cargo flights.

Further information in this FAA News Alert.

25 May 2022 UPDATE

According to the Star*Advertiser, Rhoades Aviation plans to dispute the FAA's proposal.

On another note, Transair Hawaii sold their 737-4Q8F, N251AU (c/n 25104, l/n 2476), to Frontera Flight Holdings this past April. It was re-registered as N388TM, and ferried from DHN to SLW. It's due to be sold to Aeronaves TSM [México].

N370BC

BCM Majestic Corporation's 737-205/Adv, N370BC (c/n 23468, l/n 1262), is making another visit to HNL. It arrived from LAX as Q381BCX.

FAA Grounds TransAir's 737 Ops

According to a KITV report, the FAA has grounded the TransAir Hawaii 737-200F operations due to suspected shoddy aircraft maintenance. The 737-200Fs are operated by Rhoades Aviation, TransAir's sister company. The TransAir Shorts SD360s are still operating its cargo flights.

Transair Hawaii's N810TA Ditches Off ‘Ewa Beach

Transair Hawaii's N810TA (c/n 21116, l/n 427) ditched 1.86 miles (3 km) off-shore of ‘Ewa Beach at 0145HAST, after the pilots reported engine trouble. The pilots tried to return to HNL, but the second engine failed as well. Both pilots were rescued by the US Coast Guard, HNL ARFF, and Honolulu EMS. The flight, RDS810, was scheduled to fly to OGG. Reports say that the airframe broke apart upon landing.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Coverage from the AP Newswire and KITV Island News.

Radar playback with LiveATC audio from FlightRadar24.com.

04 July 2021 UPDATE

TransAir has grounded the four remaining 737-200Fs pending the investigation and inspections.

N413JG Mainland Charters

TransAir's 737-2Q8/Adv, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), has ferried to ADM [Ardmore, OK], via SBD, for charter flight work around the mainland.

Aloha Airlines' N809AL

Our March edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" recognizes the 10th anniversary of the closure of Aloha Airlines, with this photo of N809AL "Keeaumoku" (c/n 21720, l/n 552) taken in June 1990, as I walked to board another Aloha 737-397. This 737-2Q9/Adv is seen above waiting to taxi out for departure.

Sadly, Aloha Airlines was shutdown on 31 March 2008, as it was unable to secure further financing to keep operating, after 61 years of service.

21720 was originally delivered to Air Florida, under lease from the ITEL Corporation, in January 1979 as N37AF, and flew with the airline until September 1984. During its time with Air Florida, N37AF was subleased to Transavia for two five-months stints (May-October 1981 and May-October 1982). In September 1984, it was sold to POLA, and leased to AirCal as N458AC. When American Airlines acquired AirCal, the latter's fleet was transferred over, and wore hybrid liveries. N458AC was also subleased to the second incarnation of Braniff Airways in February 1988. In May 1990, 21720 was sub-subleased to Aloha Airlines as N809AL. In May 1997, it was acquired by ACG, and the lease continued with Aloha Airlines. It was also painted in the airline's final livery, and flew with the airline until March 2003, where it was placed into storage at GYR. In June 2005, this 737-2Q9/Adv was scrapped.

TransAir's N326TR

TransAir has acquired their fifth 737-200C, with N326TR (c/n 20917, l/n 344), a 737-210C/Adv, that was registered with the FAA this past May.

20917 was originally delivered to Wien Air Alaska [WC] in April 1974 as N4905W. It was leased to Saudi Aramco in February 1980 for six months. After it was returned to Wien Air Alaska, it flew with the airline until 1984 when the airline shut down, and the aircraft was acquired by CPC Leasing. In November that year, it was leased to TACA International [TA/TAI] (El Salvador) as N4905W. In August 2000, this 737 was acquired by Laserline Leasing, converted to a freighter, and leased to Estafeta Cargo Aerea [E7/ESF] (México) as XA-ABX, and flew with the airline until January 2005. In March 2006, it was acquired by Aloha Airlines [AQ/AAH] as N834AL, and flew for its cargo division until the airline closed in March 2008. It continued with the revamped Aloha Air Cargo, until early 2010, when it was flown to MZJ for storage. In May 2010, it was acquired by African Charter Airline as ZS-IAB, and leased to Bid Cargo in September 2015, until April 2017. It was ferried to somewhere in the Malaysia / Indonesia region.

TransAir Receives Charter Approval

The US Department of Transportation gave TransAir approval to begin domestic and international passenger and cargo charter flights. The airline purchased N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), a 737-2Q8/Adv in July 2015, and applied for charter approval a year ago. In the above photo taken today, this 737 is seen on the TransAir ramp, and not anther hangar. No word was given as to when charter flights will begin.

Further information in this CH-Aviation article.

N370BC

N370BC (c/n 23468, l/n 1262), a 737-205/Adv bijzet owned by Basic Capital Management, has made a stop at HNL from ADS [Addison, TX], via VNY.

N370BC was also here in November 2012.

N745AP

Our February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to August 2005, with N745AP (c/n 21767, l/n 585), a 737-281/Adv, seen above, taxiing out for departure to MAJ, on its ferry flight to Indonesia to join the Metro Batavia [7P/BTV] fleet.

This 737-281/Adv was originally delivered to All Nippon Airways in July 1979, as JA8453. In September 1992, it was leased to its Air Nippon subsidiary. It was sold to Westjet Airlines in September 2000, and registered as C-FTWJ. 21767 was sold to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest in June 2005, then sold two months later to Metro Batavia as PK-YTQ. In May 2006, it was damaged in a runway overrun incident at CGK, after experiencing hydraulic issues, and was last seen a year later in storage without titles.

Aloha ‘Oe N840AL

This morning, Aloha Air Cargo is bidding a fond aloha ‘oe (farewell) to N840AL "Ho‘omaka‘ana Hou" (c/n 23124, l/n 1046), as its being flown to TUS to be placed into storage. The 737-2X6C/Adv is making its final flight out of HNL as AAH840, and will make a stop at OAK, before heading to TUS. It's seen above a few days prior to its farewell.

N840AL was the cargo airline's first 737-200C, when the airline held its unveiling in October 2008.

Aloha Air Cargo's N303KH

Five months have passed since N303KH (c/n 25606, l/n 3123) passed through Honolulu to the mainland for conversion. The arrival of the 3rd 737-300 coincides with the imminent retirement of N840AL, which has had its titles painted over..

N413JG

N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), a 737-2Q8/Adv, is TransAir's newest acquisition. It arrived last night from MNL (via GUM and MAJ), and is at their hangar along with N810TA. This 737-2Q8 is currently in a passenger configuration, and would be the airline's first passenger version. Trans Air has two Shorts SD-360s in passenger configuration.

23148 was originally purchased by ILFC in October 1984, and leased to America West Airlines as N137AW. In July 1995, it was then leased to Ladeco [UC/LCO] (Chile) as CC-CYV. In April 2000, it was leased to Westjet Airlines [WS/WJA](Canada) as C-FLWJ. In March 2006, 23148 was sold to Weststar Aviation (Malaysia) as N413JG. According to the FAA registry, Trans Air acquired N413JG this past February, and was ferried to MNL.

Another 737-200 For Trans Air?

According to the FAA website, Trans Air has another 737-200, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), is listed as its owner as of February 2015. The 737-2Q8 was last listed with Weststar Aviation (Malaysia), with the US N-number. It's current whereabouts are unknown, or whether it will undergo freighter conversion.

23148 was originally ordered by ILFC, and leased to America West Airlines in October 1984 as N137AW. In July 1995, it was leased to Ladeco Airlines [UC/LCO/ (Chile) as CC-CYV. In April 2000, it was leased to WestJet Airlines as C-FLWJ. In March 2006, Weststar Aviation acquired this 737-2Q8, and had the interior converted to a VIP layout, and registered as N413JG.