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.

Western Global Airlines' N781SN

Western Global Airlines' N781SN (c/n 48781, l/n 625) is making the first MD-11F flight into HNL since the FAA grounding following the crash of UPS2976, in November 2025. N781SN is making a fuel stop at HNL from LCK [Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus, OH], then continuing onto DRW as WGN8189. N781SN was the first Western Global MD-11F to re-enter service following inspections and repairs to the wing pylons.

02 July 2026 UPDATE

N781SN is returning from DRW this morning, and will depart for YUM [Yuma International Airport, Yuma, AZ], as WGN189.

Federal Express To Resume MD-11F Service

FreightWaves reports, that beginning in late next month, Federal Express plans to restart MD-11F cargo flights. An engine repair by Boeing has been made, and adopted by FedEx, but has yet to receive FAA approval. the airline plans to have all 29 MD-11Fs back in service once the repair procedures are approved.

N643FE "Kennedy" (c/n 48486, l/n 509, f/n 643) has been at HNL since the grounding last November. It taxied under its own power on 25 April, moving from the North Ramp hardstands to the ‘Ewa Ramp hardstands (above photo).

UPS Airlines Retires Their MD-11F Fleet

In their investors earnings call, UPS announced that their fleet of 36 MD-11Fs have been retired from service. Two of the 36 are still stored at HNL, N254UP (c/n 48406, l/n 547, f/n 254) and N288UP (c/n 48504, l/n 611, f/n 288) have been here since the grounding following the crash of UPS2976. 

N254UP has been parked on the ‘Ewa ramp since the grounding, and N288UP has been parked at Hardstand 2. Both aircraft have their engine intakes and exhausts covered, and the vent ports have been taped over.

Nothing has been revealed as to the plans to ferry out these two MD-11Fs.

Further information in this UPS press release.

29 January 2026 UPDATE

N288UP was moved to the Elliott Street ramp by Hawaiian Airlines, and Federal Express' N643FE has been moved to the North Ramp.

DC-10s Included In MD-11 Grounding

The FAA has now included the DC-10s and MD-10s in the grounding of the MD-11 fleet following the crash of N259UP. Though the only current operators of the DC-10/MD-10 are 10 Tanker, Omega Air Tanker, and the Orbis Eye Hospital.

Further information in this Flight Global article.

UPS and FedEx Temporarily Ground Their MD-11F Fleets

In the wake of the UPS2976, both UPS Airlines and Federal Express have voluntarily grounded their MD-11F fleets for a safety stand-down. UPS currently has 36 MD-11Fs, and FedEx currently has 29 MD-11Fs in operation that will be temporarily grounded, for safety and inspections.

Both carriers have been using MD-11Fs to fly to/from HNL, and it's uncertain what the impact will be, but both airlines will substitute other airliners in their place.

In a brief statement by Boeing, it also recommends that Western Global Airlines temporarily grounds their fleet of 15 MD-11Fs.

Further information in this Fox Business article, and this UPS press release.

Three MD-11Fs have been grounded at HNL. FedEx's N643FE "Kennedy" (c/n 48486, l/n 509, f/n 643) last flew from OAK to HNL on the 7th as FDX1875, and both UPS's N288UP (c/n 48504, l/n 611, f/n 288) and N254UP (c/n 48406, l/n 547, f/n 254)  last flew from SDF to HNL as UPS5966 and UPS2252 respectively on the 6th.

UPS Airlines' N259UP Crash

N259UP (c/n 48417, l/n 467, f/n 259), a UPS Airlines MD-11F, crashed after takeoff at SDF. It was departing for HNL as UPS2976, with a crew of three, who perished. This MD-11F was loaded with cargo and 38,000 gallons of jet fuel for the eight and half hour flight. UPS2976 was scheduled to depart at 15:00EST, departed at 15:41EST, and was scheduled to arrive at HNL around 19:00HAST. There are reports of casualties on the ground as well. The FAA and the NTSB will take the lead on the investigation of this accident.

An eyewitness video on AirNavRadar's Facebook page shows the number one engine on fire during its takeoff roll.

Further information in this Fox News developing story.

48417's History:

Jly 1991: Delivered to Thai Airways as HS-TME "Pathun Wan".

Feb 2006: Withdrawn from service, and stored at BKK.

Jun 2006: Acquired by UPS Airlines as N259UP, and converted to a freighter.

The above photo is the only one we have in our library, taken in May 2008, as it was being towed to the UPS ramp for loading.

The HNL RareBirds™ team extends our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the families of the lost.

Lufthansa Cargo's D-ALCA

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Lufthansa Cargo's MD-11F, D-ALCA (c/n 48781, l/n 625), departing Runway 8R for AKL, when they flew cargo for Air New Zealand from FRA to AKL, with stops at ORD and HNL. The flight would continue westbound back to FRA.

48781's History:

Jun 1998: Delivered to Lufthansa Cargo as D-ALCA.

Aug 2021: Sold to Western Global Airlines as N781SN (f/n 781).

Dec 2022: Stored at RSW [Southwest Florida Airport, Fort Meyers, FL] for five months.

May 2023: Stored at SHV [Shreveport Regional Airport, Shreveport, LA].

Jan 2025: Returned to service with Western Global Airlines.

Western Global Airlines' N546JN

Western Global Airlines' MD-11F, N546JN (c/n 48546, l/n 589, f/n 546), is flying cargo between HNL and GUM for United Airlines,  to cover for the suspended Asia Pacific Airlines. The twice-weekly HNL-GUM flights are flown as WGN546, and the return flight is flown as WGN9546.

On a related note, per CH-Aviation, United Airlines has also designated special 737-824 cargo flights among the Marshall Islands.

Swissair's HB-IWU

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to September 2005, and this Swissair MD-11, HB-IWU (c/n 48538, l/n 533), that made a stop at UPS's ramp at HNL, as it ferried to Singapore for freighter conversion.

48538 was originally delivered to LTU [LT/LTU Germany] in March 1993 as D-AERZ. In October 1998, it was sold to Swissair [SR/SWR] as HB-IWU. In January 2005, it was sold to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, then sold to UPS four months later as N281UP. It was put into service in early 2006, and continues to haul packages for UPS.

Centurion Cargo's N987AR

Centurion Cargo's MD-11F, N987AR "Petete" (c/n 48427, l/n 471), is making another FEMA relief supply flight from MIA (via DFW) as KYE551 today. It will depart for ATL later this afternoon, with the same flight number.

Centurion Air Cargo's N987AR

A new visitor on the Kona ramp today, is Centurion Air Cargo's [WE/CWC] MD-11F, N987AR (c/n 48427, l/n 471) on a flight from MIA (via LAX). It's flying for Sky Lease Cargo [GG/KYE] as KYE4855.

Federal Express' N614FE

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 1998. with FedEx's MD-11F, N614FE "Christy Allison" (c/n 48258, l/n 507, f/n 614), seen above on Taxiway RT.

N614FE was delivered to Federal Express in November 1992. It was originally ordered by American Airlines as N1759, but was not taken up. This MD-11F continues to fly with FedEx, with the aircraft's name shortened to "Christy".

Western Global Airlines' N412SN

Western Global Airlines' [KD/WGN] MD-11F, N412SN (c/n 48412, l/n 454) made a stop at HNL as WGN854, from an unknown origin, and continued on to SZL [Whiteman AFB Airport, Knob Noster, MO].

Sky Lease Cargo's N950AR

Sky Lease Cargo's N950AR (c/n 48461, l/n 475) has made a cargo flight from MIA to HNL. The MD-11F made the flight as KYE541.

48461 was originally delivered to China Eastern Airlines under lease from GECAS in November 1991 as B-2170, and was transferred to China Cargo Airlines [CK/CKK], when the airline was re-branded. Sky Lease Cargo [GG/KYE] (USA) acquired this MD-11F in May 2010 as N950AR, and operates it for Centurion Cargo.


*** 07.26.16 Update ***
N950AR departed for MCO today as KYE540.

N412SN

N412SN (c/n 48412, l/n 454), an MD-11F registered to Western Global Airlines [WGN] (USA), made a stop at HNL last night as WGN2112 from DFW. It's scheduled to fly to GUM today. According to World Airline News, the Western Global MD-11Fs are all painted white, and carry no titles.

FedEx To Trim Their MD-11F Fleet

Federal Express announced today that they will be retiring several MD-11Fs, among other aircraft types, within the next two years. The MD-11F has been the mainstay of the FedEx service to HNL, interspersed with their MD-10s and 777Fs. When the fleet adjustment occurs, it will remain to be seen if other MD-11Fs will be moved to cover HNL service, or be replaced by another type.

Further information in this World Airline News article.

Lufthansa Cargo's D-ALCE

Our April edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to July 2004, with Lufthansa Cargo's [LH/GEC] MD-11F, D-ALCE "Marhaba Turkey" (c/n 48785, l/n 629), departing from Runway 8R for AKL. It was a code-share with Air New Zealand to fly cargo from Europe to New Zealand, with US stops at ORD and HNL.

D-ALCE was delivered to Lufthansa Cargo in October 1998, and remains with the German cargo carrier today in the standard livery. The above WOW special livery was worn from 2003 to 2008, and was the only GEC MD-11F to wear it. Other MD-11Fs had a small WOW decal applied near the aft passenger doors.

Heavies Taking Off From Runway 26R

With the crazy westerly winds we have been having for the past week and a half, most flights, including widebodies, were taking off from Runway 26R.  Normally, widebodies would still taxi out to Runway 26L ("The Reef Runway") or to Runway 22L during Kona winds.  The video above includes 26R takeoffs from all 3 aircraft types UPS flies to HNL, a KE 747-4B5, HIANG F-22, and an USAF KC-10 just taxiing down 26R to HIK.  The various clips were taken over several days during different times of the day.

Varig's N256UP

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" is from July 2005, and this Varig [RG/VRN] MD-11, N256UP (c/n 48405, l/n 524). It was stopping through HNL as it was acquired by UPS, and en route to Singapore for freighter conversion.

48405 was originally delivered to Varig in December 1992, as PP-VPK. In late 1997, it received the above livery. It was acquired by UPS in May 2005, underwent freighter conversion, and registered as N256UP. This MD-11F does make stops at HNL every so often.