Aloha ‘Oe Asiana Airlines

Today marks the final day of operations for Asiana Airlines service between ICN and HNL. HL7732 (c/n 29174, l/n 481), the Star Alliance-liveried 777-28EER, is making today's final service as AAR232/231.  From 01 July, Korean Air will take over Asiana's five-times-per-week service as KAL8054/8053, with 787-9 DreamLiners flying the service.

This move is anticipation of the Asiana brand being retired as part of the acquisition by Korean Air, which total integration is scheduled to be completed this December.

01 July 2026 UPDATE

Korean Air's 787-9 DreamLiner HL7207 (c/n 34816, l/n 728) is making the first replacement flight as KAL8053/8054.

Korean Air And Asian Airlines Approve Merger

Airways Magazine reports via an Instagram post, that the board of directors for both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines voted to approve the merger of the two carriers today. Full integration into Korean Air is set for 17 December 2026.

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,

Korean Air / Asiana Airlines Merger To Close This Month

CH-Aviation reports that with an anticipated official approval announcement from the US Department of Justice, the merger between Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines is expected to close sometime this month. The approval from the USDOJ is the final piece of the puzzle to allow the merger between the two largest airlines in the Republic of Korea, with Korean Air taking the reins. The Asiana brand will last another two years, before it's absorbed into the Korean Air brand. Multiple concessions by both airlines had to be made before any approval was given by transport ministries around the world, especially where the two airlines serve.

Also, as part of the merger, Asiana Airlines' low-cost subsidiaries (Air Busan and Air Seoul) will be combined under Korean Air's LCC, Jin Air.

Asiana Airlines' HL8360

Asian Airlines' A350-941, HL8360 (msn 234), is making a brief fuel stop at HNL, as it transits between LAX and ICN, as AAR2059. It flew to LAX from ICN yesterday as AAR2069.

Asiana Airlines' A350 Flights

For the past few weeks, Asiana Airlines has been flying their A350-941s between ICN and HNL as AAR2323/2313. The additional flights, that began on May 8th, have been operating every three days. It's not known how long this supplemental flights will last.

Asiana has resumed its A330-300 service, AAR232/231, though on a reduced frequency of Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays; and will go daily in July.

23 May 2022 UPDATE

Asiana's A350 flights ends today.

Korean Air To Acquire Asiana Airlines

In a move to bolster South Korean commercial air travel, Korean Air announced today that they acquiring rival Asiana Airlines for over $1.6B USD. This merger would put the new Korean Air in the top ten in terms of airline size. The move by Korean Air's parent company Hanjin KAL, was partially due to the effects of the China Corona Virus pandemic on the airline industry as a whole. Prior to the pandemic, Asiana was experiencing financial troubles, and the current state of affairs made their situation much worse. This move should ensure the survivability of the South Korean airline industry, especially when it comes to international routes. The combined fleet will be over 250 aircraft with many common types.

Further details in this SamChui.com article.

OE-IAI

OE-IAI (msn 1356), a former Asiana Airlines A321-131, is ferrying from ICN (via CRK, GUM, and HNL) to SBD. It's on a lease return flight to lessor Avalon, and making an overnight stop at HNL. It will leave for SBD later today.

1356 was originally delivered to Asiana Airlines in November 2000 as HL7594, under lease from CIT. In April 2017, it was sold to Avolon, and the lease transferred. It flew with Asiana until May 2020.

OE-IAI departed HNL this afternoon, but returned after a mechanical issue.

10.20.20 UPDATE
OE-IAI departed HNL this morning for SJC.

10.21.20 UPDATE

OE-IAI departed SJC for HDO [South Texas Regional Airport, Hondo, TX].

Asiana Airlines' HL7266

Our January edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to March 1995, with Asiana Airlines' 767-38EER, HL7266 (c/n 25347, l/n 399), seen above taxiing out to Runway 26L, on Taxiway RT. When Asiana launched their initial service between SEL and HNL, it was with their 767-38EER fleet. It ended a few years later, but the airline returned with A330-300 service several years later.

HL7266 was originally delivered to Asiana in November 1991, and flew with the airline for seven years. In December 1998, it was acquired by Canadian Airlines International [CP/CDN] as C-GDUZ. When Air Canada took over Canadian Airlines in March 2001, the latter's fleet was transferred to the former's fleet. C-GDUZ was assigned the fleet number 646. In 2010, it was painted in the mint green livery. In July 2017, C-GDUZ was transferred to the Air Canada Rouge fleet.

Asiana's HL7508

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back 18 years ago, this month, with this Asiana Airlines 737-48E, HL7508 (c/n 25772, l/n 2791), as it made its delivery flight from BFI to SEL.

HL7508 is seen above wearing the original Asiana livery. In January 2007, it was painted in the current Kumho Asiana Group livery that was adopted in 2006. In February 2010, it was transferred to Air Busan [BZ/ABL], which Asiana has a controlling interest in.

Asiana OZ214 Crash Landing at SFO

As I'm sure you've all heard by now, but just in case you didn't, Asiana flight 214 from ICN to SFO has crashed on landing on Runway 28L. The aircraft involved was a 777-28ER, HL7742 (c/n 29171, l/n 553).

Thoughts and prayers to all on board.  Unfortunately, two passengers perished in the accident. The photos of the fuselage are stunning ... the 777 is one well-built airplane.  

Find the audio transcript of SFO ATC communicating to arrivals and departures right up to the time of the incident and shortly thereafter.  For those in the know, it is chilling to listen to.

One residual effect of the accident, is that some Australia and New Zealand flights may need to stop at HNL for fuel, as some are flying weight-restricted out of SFO.

N763AG

N763AG (c/n 27630, l/n 2848), a former Asiana Airlines 737-48E, is making its way back to the mainland, as its lease with ILFC has expired. It appears that the Aviation Capital Group has acquired N763AG. While awaiting its ferry flight back to the mainland, it was stored at CAN. It has stopped through GUM and MAJ, before arriving at HNL in the wee hours of this morning, and parked on the north ramp. As seen above, it still wears the current Asiana livery, but with the titles painted over. N763AG is destined for storage at VCV.

27630 was originally delivered to Asiana as HL7511 in January 1997, under lease from ILFC.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo.

*** 02.14.13 Update ***
N763AG departed for VCV this morning.

Asiana Upgrades ICN-HNL To Daily

Beginning today, Asiana Airlines has upgraded its twice-weekly service between ICN and HNL (AAR232/231) to daily. Asiana also moved its ticket counter to the main terminal, from it's counter space at the makai end of the Inter-Island Terminal. A blessing and festivities were held this morning at HNL.

Asiana Starts Scheduled Charter Service

Today, Asiana Airlines begins flying between South Korea and Hawaii once again. With the number of tourist coming out of Korea increasing, Asiana will fly chartered flights twice weekly to and from Incheon International (ICN/RKSI) as OZ2325/2315 until December 8th. The equipment used today was HL7794 (c/n 1211) a A330-323E.

Asiana To Offer Scheduled Service?

According to this thread from airliners.net, Asiana's ICN-HNL charters will turn into scheduled service from December 8. Asiana's website does not show this information, nor does it show HNL as a destination. However, this information is loaded and does show up in the various GDS's. You can also find this information on the various online booking and travel search sites.

The flights operate on Sunday and Thursday on the following schedule:

OZ232 ICN-HNL 2000-0900

OZ231 HNL-ICN 1100-1750 +1

The A330-300 will be used on these flights.

Asiana Proposes Charters From ICN

Asiana Airlines (OZ/AAR) has proposed charter flights between ICN and HNL, that would begin in mid-September, and run through mid-December. The flights will run twice per week. The aircraft type was not announced, though the announced seating capacity was 269, which would put it in the 767-300ER and A330-200 range.

Article from this morning's Star*Advertiser.

Asiana once served HNL from SEL in the mid-90s with 767-300s