154th Wing Participates In Air Show

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 154th Wing is participating in the 2015 Australian International Air Show at Avalon Airport, Victoria, Australia.  Two Hawai‘i Air National Guard F-22A Raptors from the 199th Fighter Squadron, and a KC-135R from the 203rd Aerial Refueling Squadron flew Down Under to partner with other aircraft from the Pacific Command.

Further details in this Pacific Air Forces article.

Hawaiian's N492HA Struck By Lightning

Hawaiian Airlines' 717-2BL, N492HA "Ewa ‘Ewa" (c/n 55181, l/n 5131), was struck by lightning on its way from HNL to ITO as HAL380. None of the passengers and crew were injured. The return flight to HNL was delayed as the airliner was inspected for any damage. 

News coverage by KHON.

Batik's PK-LBY

Batik Air's PK-LBY (c/n 39833, l/n 5278) is making the last trans-Pacific delivery flight for February tonight. The 737-8GP, their second this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as BTK1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

China Southern's B-1700

The other half of today's China Southern Airlines 737-800 daily double, is B-1700 (c/n 43401, l/n 5261), a 737-86N leased from GECAS. Its making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1700, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern's B-1747

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of a pair 737-800s today. Leading off the daily double, is B-1747 (c/n 41327, l/n 5281), a 737-81B, that's making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1747, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian's N375HA Delivered

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of their 20th A330-243 with N375HA (msn 1606) today. It's making its delivery flight from TLS to SEA as HAL9975.

Allegiant Acquires Six More A319s

World Airline News reports that Allegiant Air will acquire another six A319-111s from Philippine-based carrier Cebu Pacific Air [5J/CEB], with deliveries expected to last through 2016. Allegiant previously purchased ten A319s in 2012.

More information in this Allegiant Air's press release.


02.28.15 Update
On a related note, CH-Aviation reports that Allegiant Air is also acquiring two A320s from Philippine Airlines, with deliveries slated for later this year.

AirAsia X To Hawai‘i?

The Pacific Business Journal reports that AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted three days ago, that AirAsia X [D7/XAX] has applied for permission to begin service to HNL from KUL.

The mainstay of AirAsia X's fleet is the A330-343 with a range of 4,600nm, but with 6822nm separating the two points, the flight would have to make a stop somewhere for fuel.

Delta To Add SEA-KOA Service

Delta Air Lines announced that they will commence daily 757-200 service between SEA and KOA, beginning on 19 December 2015.

Hawaiian Returns N589HA

Hawaiian Airlines is returning N589HA "Moli" (c/n 33422, l/n 892) to AWAS today. The 767-33AER is making its ferry flight to ATL as HAL8088. This brings the Hawaiian 767-300ER fleet count down to nine, of which five are leased.

HNL's Construction Delays

Hawaii News Now reports that revitalization construction work around HNL has been delays due to construction re-designs, and increasing costs. Two projects affecting flight operations have been delayed: the new Commuter Terminal, east of the Diamond Head Concourse; and the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal. The new Commuter Terminal, that will house Island Air and Mokulele Airlines must be completed, and their operations relocated, before the existing Commuter Terminal can be demolished, and the new Hawaiian Airlines Terminal can be built.

Jetstar Switches To 787 For SYD-HNL

Beginning today, Jetstar Airways has switched from the A330-200s to the new 787-8s on their daily SYD-HNL service [JST3/4]. Jetstar's other flights from MEL and BNE will convert to the 787s in September of this year. The A330-200s are being returned to parent company Qantas Airways, as more 787s are delivered.

Further information in this Australian Aviation article.

Garuda's PK-GNQ

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GNQ (c/n 39954, l/n 5284) today. The 737-8U3, leased from SMBC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011. It will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, then depart for TKK.

NOAA's N49RF

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) weather-hunting Gulfstream IV, N49RF, has been based out of HNL since 13 February, probably for the winter weather systems approaching the Hawaiian Islands.

02.24.14 Update
According to FlightAware, N49RF had been flying circuits around the islands, and is heading back to LGB.

ZK-VAB

ZK-VAB (msn UE-302), a Beechcraft 1900D registered to Vincent Aviation (New Zealand) has made its way to HNL from AKL, via TBU [Fua‘amotu International Airport, Nuku‘alofa, Tonga]. It's parked on the Anderson Aviation / Pacific Avionics ramp. The owner has been placed in receivership by the New Zealand government. The aircraft was delivered new to Vincent Aviation in May 2001. MRC Aviation reports that ZK-VAB is possibly headed for Canada.

Aloha Air Cargo Returns N320DL

Aloha Air Cargo has returned N320DL "Nā Kōlea" (c/n 23092, l/n 1023) to sister company Northern Air Cargo (NAC). Aloha leased the 737-232F since August 2013.

Team member Drewski2112 got a shot of N320DL during a stop at BFI, as a white tail, when it headed back to ANC.

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.

Storm Causes Diversions

Valentine's Day 2015 was a stormy one over the Hawaiian Islands as a fast-moving winter storm front made its way down the island chain. Its effects were felt by passengers and crew of inbound and outbound flights.

The Aviation Herald reports that United's Flight 15 [EWR-HNL] encountered turbulence that resulted in seven injuries, as the 767-424ER approached the islands.

KHON News reports that a total of seven Maui-bound flights were diverted to HNL, and one to KOA.

Air China's B-1768

Air China is taking delivery of B-1768 (c/n 41110, l/n 5276) this afternoon. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-1788

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1788 (c/n 39740, l/n 5275) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9003, and will overnight at HNL.