Virgin Australia's 2-YVFP

AerCap is having Jet Test is ferry Virgin Australia's 2-YVFP "Nobby's Beach" (c/n 41011, l/n 4476) back to BNE from GYR, via PHX, HNL, and MAJ. This 737-8FE is flying as JTN81, and is overnighting at HNL tonight. When it rejoins the Virgin Australia fleet, it get back its Australian registration, VH-YFP.

US Air Force's 64-14849

A US Air Force RC-135U from the 45th RS / 55th Wing, 64-14849 "Combat Sent 2" (c/n 18789, l/n 2310), made a stop at HIK. It arrived from LNK as TUSK14. This is one of the last four RC-135s still in service.

This is the final KC-135 that was built by Boeing, delivered in February 1965, and was converted to an RC-135B in 1967. It was converted to a"U" variant in 1971. It had the its JT3D powerplants replaced with CFM56s in the late 1990s.

Sriwijaya Air's PK-CLT

Jet Test is ferrying Sriwijaya Air's PK-CLT "Emilio" (c/n 27991, l/n 248) from CGK to MCI, via GUM and HNL. This 737-8K5, flying as JTN78, is making an overnight stop at HNL, as it's being returned to lessor DVB Bank.

27991's History:

Apr 1999: Delivered to Hapag-Lloyd as D-AHFK.

Apr 2005: Rebranded as Hapagfly.

Jan 2007: Rebranded as TUIfly.

Dec 2007: Leased to CanJet, returned in May 2008.

Jun 2008: Leased to Travel Service Hungary as HA-LKC to Oct 2009.

Oct 2009: Sold to AerCap and leased back.

Dec 2009: Subleased to CanJet, returned to TUIfly in Jun 2010.

Aug 2011: "Hannover 96" decal applied.

Nov 2012: Withdrawn from service, returned to AerCap.

Mar 2013: Leased to Sriwijaya Airlines as PK-CLT "Emilio".

2017: Sold to DVB Bank, and lease transferred.

2018: Painted into current livery.

Hawaiian Airlines Launches HNL-AUS Service

Hawaiian Airlines commenced twice-weekly service between HNL and AUS today. N385HA "Manaiakalani" (msn 295, fn 385), made the inaugural flight from the Lone Star State.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

All Nippon Airways' JA777A

All Nippon Airways is ferrying JA777A (c/n 32650, l/n 593) from HND to MHV, via HNL, for storage. This 777-381ER is flying as ANA9432, and its fuel stop at HNL will be a brief one. JA777A was delivered to ANA in October 2006.

Virgin Australia's 2-YVFQ

Jet Test is ferrying Virgin Australia's 2-YVFQ "Whiting Beach" (c/n 41010, l/n 4494) from GYR to BNE, via PHX, HNL, and MAJ. This 737-8FE (VH-YFQ) is making its ferry flight as JTN80, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin Australia's 2-YVFN

AerCap is ferrying 2-YVFN (c/n 41009, l/n 4456) back to the Virgin Australia fleet. This 737-8FE, previously registered as VH-YFN "Ballina Beach". It's being ferried back to BNE from GYR (via PHX, HNL, and MAJ) by Jet Test as JTN79.

Aloha Air Cargo's N54AU

Aloha Air Cargo took delivery of N54AU (c/n 28054, l/n 3016) today. This 737-3Q8F was painted at GEG, and arrived from OAK as AAH304. It will be re-registered as N304KH. 

N54AU's History:

Apr 1998: Delivered to Air Vanuatu as YJ-AV18, leased from ILFC.

Jan 2008: Painted into their current livery.

Jly 2008: Leased to bmibaby as G-TOYI "Geordie Baby".

Jan 2011: Renamed as "tinylife baby".

Sep 2014: Bought by Automatic LLC as N54AU, and converted to a Quick Change.

Mar 2015: Leased to Mistral Air as EI-FGX, and a logo jet for PosteItaliane.

May 2019: Stored at SJO.

Mar 2021: Acquired by Northern Air Cargo, and painted to Aloha Air Cargo livery at GEG.

Apr 2021: Delivered to Aloha Air Cargo.

Happy 100th Birthday Royal Australian Air Force!

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) begins its 100th anniversary celebration today. We wish the RAAF well, and thank you for your service!

Here are a few of the RAAF types that have stopped through HNL.

A30-006 (c/n 33987, l/n 1991): Boeing E-7A (737-7ES) WedgeTail AWACS

A39-002 (msn 950): Airbus KC-30A (A330-203 MRTT)

A41-212 (c/n F-270): Boeing C-17A Globemaster III

A44-223 (BuNo 167979): Boeing FA-18F Super Hornet

Alaska Airlines Joins OneWorld

Alaska Airlines officially becomes the 14th member of the OneWorld Alliance today. The Seattle-based airlines joins American Airlines, Qantas Airways, and Japan Airlines that serves Hawai‘i.

The above photo from Alaska Airlines, shows their 737-990ER, N487AS (c/n 44108, l/n 5597, f/n 487), on the ramp at VCV after it was painted as Alaska's first OneWorld logo jet.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines / OneWorld press release.

Mokulele Airlines Announces OGG-ITO Service

Mokulele Airlines announced that they will launch four-times-daily service between OGG and ITO on April 19th. Along with the announcement, they also unveiled their renovated Commuter Terminal at OGG.

Further information in this Maui Now article.

Air New Zealand's ZK-OJD

Air New Zealand is returning ZK-OJD (msn 2130) to its lessor, GA Telesis. This A320-232 is ferrying from CHC to TUS (via AKL, RAR, HNL, and LAX). The CHC-AKL segment was flown as ANZ6234 while the RAR-HNL-HNL segments are being flown as ANZ6092. Southern Cross Aviation will ferry the LAX-TUS segment.

ZK-OJD's History:

Nov 2003: Delivered to Air New Zealand under lease from RBS.

Aug 2006: Sub-leased to Freedom Air International.

Mar 2008: Returned to Air New Zealand, sold to MCAP, and lease transferred.

Jun 2014: Acquired by GA Telesis, and lease transferred.

Oct 2014: Painted into the current livery, and last revenue flight on 10 Feb 21.

Alliance Airlines' N912QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery its fifth ERJ-190AR, N912QQ (msn 19000012), as it makes its way from SJO to BNE (via TUS, OAK, HNL, and MAJ). It's also been painted in a special livery to commemorate the centennial of the Royal Australian Air Force. Southern Cross Aviation is ferrying this ERJ-190AR as SXI2114, and is making an overnight stop at HNL. It will receive its Australian registration, VH-UYB, after its arrival at BNE. The above photo shows the details of the RAAF Centenary 2021 artwork.

19000012's History:

Dec 2005: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1540CMP, and flew until Mar 2020.

Nov 2020: Acquired by TVPX Services.

Mar 2021: Delivering to Alliance Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines Announces OGG-PHX Service

Hawaiian Airlines will launch seasonal four-times-weekly OGG-PHX service from May to August. The service will be flown with their A321-271N fleet.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82027

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100M, UR-82027 (c/n 19530502288, l/n 02-08), is making stops at HNL as it makes multiple flights from NTL [Newcastle-Willamtown Airport, Newcastle, Australia] to YMX [Montreal-Mirable Airport, Montreal, QC, Canada] and back. On March 11th, it arrived from BNE as ADB3735, and continued to YMX with the same flight number. On the return flight from YMX on the 13th, it flew to HNL as ADB335F, then as ADB334F to BNE today.

03.17.21 UPDATE

UR-82027 is making a stop at HNL from NTL (via BNE) as ADB3744.

Transair Hawaii Orders A 737-400F

CH-Aviation.com reports that TransAir Hawaii has ordered a 737-400F, that will undergo freighter conversion at DHN in June. N251AU (c/n 25104, l/n 2476), a 737-4Q8, should join the Transair Hawaii sometime in September or October, after its conversion by AEI. The airliner is currently in storage at TPA. This 737-4Q8F will be their first CFM56-powered 737. 

25104's History:

May 1993: Delivered to Alaska Airlines as N771AS (f/n 771), under lease from ILFC.

Nov 1997: Sold to AWAS, and lease transferred.

Dec 2013: Withdrawn from service, returned to AWAS, and stored at GYR.

Apr 2014: Acquired by Jet Midwest.

Jan 2015: Leased to Flair Airlines as C-FLHJ (f/n 405).

Aug 2020: Returned to lessor, and stored at TPA, then sold to Automatic LLC.

DA40 Crashes Off Of Lāna‘i

A Diamond DA40 Diamond Star crashed off of Lāna‘i this afternoon after 1725HAST. Thankfully, the two aboard the light aircraft survived, and were rescued by a US Coast Guard 14th District HH-65 Dauphin from JRF. According to FlightRadar24.com, the DA-40 (owner not disclosed) flew from HNL to LNY. On the return leg, the DA40 circled offshore (see FlightRadar24 app screenshot), before it attempted to head back to LNY.

Mokulele Airlines' N852MA, flying as FDY858 (LNY-MKK) circled the area, then Kamaka Air's N347KA took up the monitoring until the Coast Guard rescue helicopter and other rescue craft arrived.

Further information in this Kathryn's Report article.

28 Feb 21 UPDATE

The DA40 was registered as N680DS (msn 40.680), owned by George's Aviation, was rented for a training flight.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82008

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100M, UR-82008 (c/n 19530501006), is making an overnight stop from CUN [Cancun, México] as ADB309F. The flight originated in BEL [Belem, Brazil], and is headed for MEL.

Alliance Airlines' N998QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N998QQ (msn 19000098). This ERJ-190AR is making its delivery flight, flown by Southern Cross International, from SJO to BNE (via SDM, HNL and MAJ) as SXI2107. It will be registered as VH-UYO.

19000098's History:

Aug 2007: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1563CMP.

Jan 2010: Leased to Aero Republica.

Oct 2010: Leased to Copa Airlines Colombia.

Jly 2019: Returned to Copa Airlines, and flew until Mar 2020.

Nov 2020: Bought by TVPX Trust Services

Feb 2021: Delivering to Alliance Airlines.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 (c/n 19530502630, l/n 02-10), is making an overnight stop at HNL as ADB308F from SWF. It will continue onto MEL tomorrow.