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.

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 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.

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 N339NG

Island Air is taking delivery of N339NG "Poʻokela" (msn 4339). This Q400 Next Gen, leased from NAC-Nordic via Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, made its delivery flight from GTF [Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls, MT], via CMA [Camarillo, CA], as SXA373. This is the first of two second-hand Q400 Next Gen that Island Air will lease. Po‘okela means "striving for the highest summit" in Hawaiian. It will be registered as N685WP before entering service.

4339 was originally delivered to Colgan Air in December 2010 as N339NG (f/n 827), and wore the United Express livery. When Colgan Air shutdown in September 2012, its Q400 fleet, this one included, was taken up by Republic Airlines, and continued to fly for United Express. Republic Airways sold N339NG to NAC-Nordic in June 2015, and withdrew it from service in March 2016. It was supposed to be leased to Flybe [BE/BEE] (UK), but was not taken up.

Island Air's N682WP Enters Service

Island Air has put its second Q400 NextGen into service today. N682WP "Na‘au Pono", made its first revenue flight as MKU414 to OGG earlier this morning. Both Q400s are flying the OGG service, as well as some of the KOA flights.

Island Air To Increase Frequencies

Island Air announced today that they will increase frequencies to OGG, LIH, and KOA, as more Q400 Next Gens arrive.

Further details in this Island Air press release.

Island Air's N682WP

Island Air's second Q400 Next Gen, N682WP "Na‘au Pono" (msn 4546), is making its last delivery flight segment from CMA today, and will arrive this afternoon. Flying as SXA358, it also made stops at DLH and APA, after leaving the Bombardier factory at YZD.

Island Air's N681WP Blessing

This morning, Island Air held a Hawaiian blessing ceremony for N681WP "Ola Kūpono" at their hangar. The new Q400 Next Gen is scheduled to enter service tomorrow, on the OGG route. There were speeches by Island Air CEO David Uchiyama, VP Jeffrey Lau, and Bombardier's Gary Dixon; along with a prayer and blessing by Kahu Kelekona Bishaw. The event culminated with a media preview flight that flew from HNL, over the island of Lānaʻi, and back.

Island Air Orders Q400 NextGens

Island Air and Bombardier announced today that the airline has placed an order for two Q400 NextGens, with an option for four more. Delivery of the first two models is expected in December 2014.

Further details in this Bombardier Aircraft press release. Above photo courtesy of Bombardier.

Presently, Island Air has five ATR72-212s, but those were acquired before Larry Ellison purchased the airline.

This will be the airline's second time with the Q400 airframe. N539DS was with Island Air for a little over six months in 2006.