Island Air's N810WP

Our July edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 2005, and Island Air's Dash8-103, N810WP (msn 363), pictured on their ramp.

363 was originally delivered to Mesaba Airlines [XJ/MES, USA] in July 1993 as N864MA, and operated for Northwest Airlink. In June 1998, it was sold to Southern Winds [A4/SWD, Argentina] as LV-YTA "Pablo G Diamante". Bombardier acquired this Dash8-102 in 2003, and converted to a Dash8-103 in January 2005. It was delivered to Island Air later that month as N810WP, and flew with the inter-island carrier for three years. It was then sold to United Airways [4H/ UBD, Bangladesh] as S2-AES in March 2008, where it currently flies.

Where The Island Air's Q400s Ended Up

In doing a search of the PlaneSpotters.net database, here are where the former Island Air Q400s were leased to following the airline's closure, and lease returns:

N681WP "‘Ola Kūpono" (msn 4543) was bought by WestJet Encore as C-FWEW (f/n 451).

N682WP "Na‘au Pono" (msn 4546) was bought by WestJet Encore as C-GEWR (f/n 452).

N683WP "Kulana Pono" (msn 4554) has been leased by Elix Aviation Capital to JamboJet [JM/JMA] (Kenya) this past February as 5Y-JXE (f/n JJ4).

N684WP "Laulima" (msn 4328) has been leased by NAC to Spicejet [SG/SEJ] (India) in November 2017 as VT-SUX.

and

N685WP "Po‘okela" (msn 4339) has also been leased by NAC to SpiceJet in November 2017 as VT-SUY.

Aloha ʻOe N942WP

Island Air's last ATR72-212, N942WP "Paʻahana" (msn 425), began its ferry fligt from HNL to BGR (via CMA and SLN) this morning. "Paʻahana" was the last of the Island Air fleet remaining at HNL.

Hawaiian Holdings To Acquire Island Air's AOC

The trustee in charge of Island Air's Chapter 7 Bankruptcy proceedings revealed today that Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, will purchase Island Air's Air Operating Certificate, along with its frequent flyer program, intellectual property, ground service equipment, and some office equipment for $750,000. 

This acquisition, subject to approval by the US Bankruptcy Court on a hearing on January 5, 2018, will allow Hawaiian's subsidiary ‘Ohana by Hawaiian to operate on its own certificate. Currently, ‘Ohana is operated by Empire Airlines' pilots, flight attendants, and ground crews, under a contract when the subsidiary was announced; and also flies under Empire's flight code. It will mean that ‘Ohana will hire its own employees, and could mean that former Island Air employees could return to work for ‘Ohana. Hawaiian Airlines also created a new subsidiary, Elliott Street Holdings for the acquisition of Island Air's assets. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian presently has three ATR42-500s for its passenger operations, and three ATR72-200Fs for its yet-to-begin cargo operations. The airline has not stated if more ATR42s will be added to the fleet.

Further information in this Honolulu Star*Advertiser article.

Aloha ‘Oe N681WP

Island Air's N681WP "Ola Kūpono" is making its ferry flight back to Toronto, Ontario, Canada [YYZ], via Point Mugu, CA [NTD] and Duluth, MN [DLH]. It's being ferried by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA433.

Island Air AOC Up For Sale

The Honolulu Star*Advertiser reports that as part of Island Air's bankruptcy proceedings, that the airline's Air Operating Certificate (AOC) is up for sale, and there are a couple of unnamed potential buyers. If the AOC is sold, it would allow another operator take over the certificate.

Aloha ‘Oe N682WP

Southern Cross Aviation is ferrying N682WP "Na‘au Pono" from HNL to YYZ (via CMA and DLH) today, as SXA431. This is the second of three former Island Air Q400 NextGens to be ferried back to Bombardier.

N683WP Ferried

Southern Cross Aviation is ferrying N683WP "Kūlana Pono" (msn 4554) from HNL to CMA. The former Island Air Q400 Next Gen is flying as SXA430. 

Aloha ‘Oe Island Air

Island Air made its final flight this evening, MKU449 [OGG-HNL], as the 37-year-old airline will go into Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Liquidation. N683WP (msn 4554) made the last flight, which was greeted by applauding Island Air employees on the flightline. It was a sad end to the end of this airline.

Personal Note
Over the past 11 years, I was blessed to have shot photos for Island Air. It began with the re-brand after leaving the Aloha Air Group, and their first go-around with the Q400. Their 30th Anniversary celebration, the transition to the ATR72 and ownership change, and the return of the Q400 and another ownership change. It’s too bad another investor could not be found. Island Air will go in the books as Hawaii’s 2nd oldest airline to close its doors.

I have gotten to know a lot of great people at Island Air in those 11 years ... and my heart goes out to everyone of them. They are great people! I will miss seeing them around HNL … I will also miss their customer service which was always excellent, and the ground crew that would welcome arriving flights with shaka signs and waves, as well as the same for departing flights!

I am thankful that I was one of the very few aviation photogs, the folks at Island Air gave me permission to shoot photos from their second floor landing at their hangar, as well as on their ramp.

Island Air's N941WP Ferried

Aloha ‘oe to Island Air's N941WP "Manawanui" (msn 349), as it was ferried by Southern Cross Aviation to BGR, via CMA and SLN.

Island Air To Shutdown

Island Air announced this afternoon that they will be shutting down on Saturday, November 11th, with their last flight on Friday night. According to their press release, the airline sought bankruptcy protection from their aircraft lessors, but the lessors made aggressive legal moves that the airline could not afford to fight in court, thus causing the shutdown.

To accomodate Island Air's passengers, Hawaiian Airlines will honor the former's tickets from November 11-17, on a standby basis.

This ends the airline's 37-year run, that began as Princeville Airways with DHC-6 Twin Otters, and now ending with Bombardier Dash8-Q400s.

Aloha ‘Oe N943WP

Island Air is returning N943WP "Ho‘olauna" (msn 420) to its leasing company this morning. Southern Cross Aviation will ferry it from HNL to CMA as SXA418.

Aloha ‘Oe N945WP

Island Air is ferrying their second ATR72-212 to the mainland. N945WP "Hilina‘i" (msn 434) is being ferried by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA419, and its first stop is CMA.

Island Air Files Chapter 11 Re-organization

Island Air announced today that they are filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy re-organization protection, while they work to resolve issues with their aircraft lessors. With this filing, Island Air will continue to operate as normal, and continue its level of service.

Further details are in this Island Air press release.

Aloha ‘Oe N944WP

Island Air bid farewell to N944WP "Ho‘opa‘a" (msn 345) today. The ATR72-212 is being ferried to BGR [Bangor, ME], via CMA [Camarillo, CA] and SLN [Salina, KS], by Southern Cross Aviation. It left early this morning for CMA as SXA416.

Island Air Transitions To All Q400 Fleet

Island Air transitioned to an all-Q400 NextGen fleet today. The airline also has two more Q400 NextGens on order from Bombardier.

The five ATR72-212s have been retired, and will be returned to Island Leasing Company (Walnut Creek, CA) in the near future. The final ATR72 flight was made by N944WP, as MKU86 [KOA-HNL].

Island Air's N328NG

Island Air is taking delivery of its second used Q400 NextGen, N328NG (msn 4328). It's flying from GTF (via CMA) as SXA374. This Q400 NextGen has the distinction of being the 1,000th Dash8 built. This will be the airlines' fifth Q400 NextGen, will be re-registered as N684WP, and will be named "Laulima" (Hawaiian for "Being accountable to ourselves, each other, and our guests").

Like its fleet mate, N685WP (ex N339NG), it was delivered to Colgan Air in September 2010 as N328NG, and had the 1,000th Dash8 decal. It wore the Continental Connection and United Express liveries while with Colgan. It continued with Republic Airlines following Colgan's shutdown (April 2012), until February 2016. It was sold to NAC-Nordic, and leased back in June 2015. Like N339NG, N328NG was supposed to have been leased to FlyBe, but was not taken up.

Island Air's N683WP

Island Air is taking delivery of their third new-build Q400, with N683WP "Kūlana Pono" (msn 4554). It's making its way from YZD to HNL, via DLH, APA, and CMA, flown by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA375. The name Kūlana Pono means "Doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason".

Island Air Celebrates Lei Day

Island Air celebrated Lei Day with a special live music performance by Kapono Nā‘ili‘ili and lei making at the airline's waiting area in the Commuter Terminal.

Island Air & Jin Air Interline Agreement

Island Air and Jin Air have signed an interline agreement where passengers can book travel through both airlines' route networks. This partnership will give tourists from South Korea easier access to inter-island flights, and Neighbor Island residents easier access to travel to South Korea and beyond.