Eastern Airlines Acquires Hillwood Airways

Ch-Aviation reports that Eastern Airlines parent company, Eastern Air Holdings, has fully acquired charter operator  Hillwood Airways. Both Eastern and Hillwood are expected to continue as separate entities.

No mention was given as to the future of the exclusive Hillwood charter flights to OGG, especially in light of the wildfires that devastated both Kula (UpCountry) and Lāhaina (West Maui) three weeks ago.

Qantas Orders A350s and 787s

SimpleFlying.com reports that Qantas Airways is ordering 12 A350-1000ULRs and 12 787s (four 787-9s and eight 787-10s), along with options for additional aircraft. These aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2027, will replace Qantas’ A330-200, A330-300 and A380-800 fleets. The plan is for the 787s to replace the A330s, and the A350s to replace the A380s. Currently, Qantas serves HNL from SYD with an A330-300. A pair of Qantas' A330-200s have been undergoing freighter conversion, and will join the QantasFreight fleet.

Air Premia To Launch ICN-HNL Service

Aviation Week reports that South Korean hybrid carrier, Air Premia [YP/AZP] plans to launch four-times-weekly 787-9 service between ICN and HNL. The inaugural flight is scheduled for 31 December 2023. This will be the airline's third US destination, along with LAX and EWR. It's also the fourth airline to have ICN-HNL service, along with Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, and Hawaiian Air. 

SimpleFlying.com reports that the flights are on their reservation system, but tickets yet to go on sale. AZP5151 is scheduled to arrive from ICN at 11:50HAST, and the return flight, AZP5152, scheduled to depart HNL at 14:30HAST.

Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors Team Charter

Hawaiian Airlines is flying the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team to BNA for their Week 0 game agains the Vanderbilt University Commodores on Saturday. N360HA "Tutukamohonua" (msn 1732) is flying the team charter as HAL750. This A330-243 left HNL this afternoon for its non-stop to BNA, and will arrive in the early morning hours (Central Daylight Time). 

FlyNashville.com's Instagram page posted photos of N360HA departing for AUS as HAL9751, which will then return to HNL as HAL81. Another A330 will be dispatched to bring back the Rainbow Warriors following Saturday's game.

26 August 2023 UPDATE

The Rainbow Warriors are returning home aboard N375HA "Humu" (msn 1606) as HAL751, following the team's 35-28 loss to the Commodores. This A330-243 positioned from LAS to BNA as HAL8790.

Hawaiian / Amazon's N4621K To SBD

Hawaiian Airlines' Amazon Prime Air-liveried A330-343F, N4621K, ferried from CVG to SBD as HAL1703 for flight testing. It will will fly as HAL96xx around the SBD area.

President Biden's Maui Visit

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at OGG from RNO aboard Air Force One, using a VC-32A, 19-0018 (c/n 28172, l/n 772) today, to tour the devastation of the wildfires that swept through Maui. The First Couple returned to RNO this afternoon.

08-8192 (c/n 50215, l/n F214) as RCH4554 and 02-1106 (c/n 50114, l/n F113) as RCH4183 brought over the two USMC VH-60N WhiteHawks and the motorcade vehicles, for the flight over Olinda, Kula, and Lāhainā fire zones, then onto JHM, where the presidential motorcade took them to Front Street in Lāhainā to view the damage from the ground with the Hawaiʻi Congressional delegation, Governor Josh Green, and Maui Mayor Richard Bissen. Both C-17As are assigned to the 62nd AW / 446th AW at McChord AFB, WA.

Three MV-22A Ospreys from Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi's VMM-363 “Red Lions” provided transportation from the White House press corps from OGG to JHM, and back.

The E-4B that travels with the President was 73-1677 (c/n 20863, l/n 204) flying as GRIM99, stopped off at HIK during the visit.

Two C-37As, the US Air Force's 01-0065 (msn 652) of the 65th AS / 15th Wing, and the US Navy's 166375 "Spirit of Midway Island" (msn 657), both based at HIK, were also at OGG on the East Ramp.

N361FT

The second A320-214 that Nomadic Aviation is ferrying for Fortress Transportation, is N361FT (msn 1361). It's flying as OMD236, on the same route as OMD235. This A320 is also making a stop at JRF.

1361's History:

Dec 2000: Delivered to China Eastern Airlines as B-2338.

___ 2018: Painted in the current livery.

May 2018: Sold to Xiamen Airlease, and leased back.

Aug 2019: Sold to CIB, and the lease transferred.

Apr 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TAO.

Aug 2023: Sold to Fortress Transportation.

N357FA

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying two A320-214s from TAO [Qingdao, China] to BXM, via GUM, JRF, and PHX. Both A320s are being flown for Fortress Transportation, and are due to be parted to and scrapped. The first of the two is N357FA (msn 1357) flying as OMD235, and is making a stop at JRF today.

1357's History:

Dec 2000: Delivered to China Eastern Airlines as B-2337.

___ 2018: Painted in the current livery.

May 2018: Sold to Xiamen Airlease, and leased back.

Aug 2019: Sold to CIB, and the lease transferred.

Apr 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TAO.

Aug 2023: Sold to Fortress Transportation.

N231XC

Mojave Jet's A320-211, N231XC (msn 231) is ferrying from MCI to WNZ [Wehzhou, China], via SJC, HNL, MAJ and GUM. Itʻs making an overnight stop at HNL.

231's History:

Aug 1991: Delivered to Canadian Airlines International as C-FPWD, under lease from Guiness Peat Aviation.

___ 1993: Sold to GECAS, and the lease transferred.

Apr 2001: Transferred to the Air Canada (f/n 404) after the merger.

Feb 2002: Subleased to Air Canada Tango.

Sep 2003: Transferred to Air Canada Jetz.

Jun 2012: Returned to Air Canada.

Mar 2020: Sold to Bellinger Aviation Services, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2021: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MCI.

Sep 2021: Acquired by UMB Bank as N917ME.

Jan 2023: Acquired by Mojave Jet as N231XC.

18 Aug 2023 UPDATE

N231XC departed for MAJ today. It was scheduled to depart for MAJ yesterday, but the flight was cancelled. The original departure date of 11 Aug was cancelled due to a maintenance issue. It was towed to Taxiway R6 for a couple of days.

N983CM

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N983CM (msn 1887) from SFB to SZB, via PHX, JRF, MAJ, and GUM. This A321-211F is flying as OMD273, and will overnight at JRF. This white-tail will be leased to Raya Airways as 9M-BZC.

1887's History:

Feb 2003: Delivered to MyTravel Airways as G-CTLA, under lease from Bouillon Air Services.

Apr 2005: Subleased to MyTravel Airways Norway as OY-VKE.

May 2005: Acquired by the Aviation Capital Group, and lease transferred.

May 2008: Airline rebrands as Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia.

Dec 2014: Returned to Thomas Cook Airlines, as G-TCDX.

Jan 2016: Painted in the grey livery.

Oct 2019: Returned to ACG after the airline ceased operations, and stored at NQY.

Feb 2020: Re-registered as VP-CCG, and ferried to GYR for storage.

Jan 2022: Acquired by Cargo Aircraft Management as N983CM.

May 2022: Ferried to SFB for freighter conversion.

HL7227

Hanwha Chemical Corporation’s 737-7HF BBJ, HL7227 (c/n 35977, l/n 2047), is making a stop at HNL. We last photographed it in April 2014, but it’s been here a couple of times in between.

Boeing To Re-market More China-Bound 737MAXs

Leeham News and Analysis reports that Boeing will re-market more 737MAXs that were ordered by Chinese airlines, and are sitting in storage due to FAA upgrades and directives, and US-China foreign trade relations.  55 of these 737-8s will be re-marketed to Air India as part of their massive 150 737MAX order. The airlines of whose those 55 737-8s belonged to, were not disclosed, and will be painted in the new Air India livery.

There are 140 completed 737-8s bound for Chinese airlines, sitting on ramps at BFI, MWH, SKF, and VCV in storage awaiting delivery. With the 55 going to Air India, that number will drop to 85, once those 737-8s are configured and upgraded for its new airline.

This past April, both China Southern (26) and China Eastern (5) announced that they will take delivery of  their 737-8s sitting in storage, neither airline has begun delivery flights. Probably due to the directives and trade issues.

The Hainan Air Group has already sold off most of their 737-8s they had stored on the mainland, a majority was acquired by United Airlines. A few Hainan Air Group 737-8s are sitting on ramps in storage: two for Fuzhou Airlines and one for Lucky Air.

TNI Angkatan Udara's A-1343

Lockheed-Martin is delivering A-1343 (msn 5966) to TNI Angkatan Udara (Indonesian Air Force, IDAF). This C-130J-30 Super Hercules is flying from MGE to HLP (via MRY, HNL, MAJ, and GUM) as LAC5966, and is making an overnight stop at HNL. It's also wearing a temporary US registration, N5103D. This is the TNI-AU's third of five C-130Js to be delivered of the five that was ordered.

N330FA

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying their second A320-214 for Fortress Transportation from YIH to BXM, via TSN, GUM, MAJ, JRF, and PHX. N330FA (msn 1330) is being flown as OMD233. It's making a day-long stop at JRF before leaving this evening for PHX. It's due to be parted out and scrapped at BXM.

1330's History:

Nov 2000: Delivered to China Eastern Airlines as B-2336.

___ 2017: Painted in the current livery.

May 2018: Sold to Xiamen Airlease, and leased back to China Eastern.

Aug 2019: Sold to CIB Leasing, and lease transferred.

Sep 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at YIH.

Jly 2023: Acquired by Fortress Transportation.

N125RF

Randigo's N125RF returned to JRF from LIH, as it prepares to return to SMX. It was operated by Revolution Flight, that performed aerial survey flights over the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the Northwest Hawaiian Islands.

N312FA

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N312FA (msn 1312), an A320-214 owned by Fortress Transportation. It's flying from YIH to BXM, via TSN, GUM, JRF, and PHX, as OMD234. It's due to make a gas & go stop at JRF this evening. This A320 is due to be parted out and scrapped at BXM.

1312's History:

Oct 2000: Delivered to China Eastern Airlines as B-2335.

___ 2017: Painted in the current livery.

May 2018: Sold to Xiamen Airlease, and leased back to China Eastern.

Aug 2019: Sold to CIB Leasing, and lease transferred.

Oct 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TSN.

Jly 2023: Acquired by Fortress Transportation.

154th Wing Invited To William Tell 2023

The F-22 Raptors of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 154th Wing has been invited to "William Tell Air-to-Air Meet 2023", that will take place in Savannah, GA in September. The 154th, along with the 3rd Wing from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK, will represent the Pacific Air Forces. This will be the first William Tell competition since 2004.

Further information in this Air & Space Forces article.

Amazon Prime Air's N4621K To CVG

Hawaiian Airlines is ferrying N4621K from HNL to CVG for training and testing. This A330-343F, flying for Amazon Prime Air, departed HNL this morning as HAL1700, and will spend an undetermined time at CVG. Instagram user kass07300 got a photo of N4621K at CVG.

Raya Airways' N982CM

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N982CM (msn 1972) from TPA to SZB, via PHX, JRF, MAJ, and GUM, for Raya Airways. This A321-211F, owned by Cargo Aircraft Management, is flying as OMD270, and is making an overnight stop at JRF. It's due to be registered as 9M-BZB. 

Because this A321 was not taken up by ASL Airlines Ireland, a DHL partner, it may be the reason for the base livery for DHL. Raya's other A321, 9M-BZA has this same livery. Raya's Boeing fleet has the red and blue livery.

1972's History:

May 2003: Delivered to MyTravel Airways as G-SMTJ, under lease from Boullion Aviation.

May 2005: Sold to Aviation Capital Group, and the lease transferred.

Nov 2007: Leased to Thomas Cook Airlines, subleased to Thomas Cook Scandinavia.

Apr 2009: Re-registered as OY-VKT.

Apr 2015: Returned to Thomas Cook Airlines as G-TCDV.

Apr 2018: Painted in the "I ♥︎ Cook's Club" special livery.

Oct 2019: Returned to ACG, and stored at NQY.

Feb 2020: Registered as VP-CCH.

Jun 2021: Ferried to TPA for freighter conversion.

Jly 2021: Acquired by Cargo Aircraft Management as N982CM.

May 2023: Was to be leased to ASL Airlines Ireland, but was not taken.

N566NC

Elan Express is ferrying N566NC (c/n 30566, l/n 817) from XSP to SLN, via GUM and HNL, as ELX566. This 767-3BGER is part of Northern Air Cargo's addition to their fleet. It will be re-painted at SLN. N566NC stopped through HNL this past February for freighter conversion.

Amazon Prime Air's N4621K 1st Test Flight

Hawaiian Airlines is operating it's first test/training flight of its Amazon Prime Air-liveried A330-343F, N4621K today. It's making its flight to/from HNL as HAL1700, and scheduled to last about an hour.

Pratt & Whitney Issues GTF Inspections

Pratt & Whitney announced that their PW1100 series Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines will require inspections as micro-cracks have been discovered in this engine series. It affects over 1,200 power plants globally. These inspections are also required in the PW1200 series, that powers the A220 series and the Embraer E2 series.

Locally, both Hawaiian Airlines and Delta Air Lines A321-271Ns will be affected as airframes will need to be grounded and engines inspected. Hawaiian said that they will have their A321Ns inspected on the mainland, and will do them in increments, and adjust flight schedules as need be. Of their 18 A321Ns, Hawaiian already has two parked on their maintenance ramp awaiting replacement PW1100s. Delta has not mentioned their plans for their 37 A321Ns, though with their large fleet, other aircraft could substituted for their grounded A321Ns. Delta recently converted a majority of their west coast flights to Hawai‘i to the A321N. American Airlines, which also flies their A321Ns to Hawai‘i, is unaffected as they have CFM LEAPs powering their A321-253Ns.

Further information in this Airways Magazine article, this CH-Aviation.com article, and this KHON2 News report.

Republic of Korea Air Force's 19-002

The Republic of Korea's Airbus KC-330 Cygnus, 19-002 (msn 1848), made a stop at HIK, and returned to SSN [Seoul Air Base] today, and is flying as ARGO403.

According the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Instagram post, there was a repatriation ceremony between the US and the Republic of Korea today.

VP-CYW

VP-CYW (msn 4228), an A319-115ACJ owned by Bliss Surplus Ltd, and operated by Business Aviation Asia [China], is making a stop at HNL from SAN.

4228's History:

Apr 2010: Delivered to Aviation Link Company [Saudi Arabia] as VQ-BSF.

Jun 2013: Re-registered as VP-CIA.

Jly 2015: Sold to CEFC China.

Sep 2019: Sold to Bliss Surplus Ltd, and operated by Business Aviation Asia as VP-CYW.

Kamaka Air Charters

Kamaka Air launched their executive inter-island charter service, Kamaka Air Charters, today. N828DC (msn 208B2074), a Grand Caravan EX, will make the charter flights.

Pago Wings' N1202P

Pago Wings' first Tecnam P2012 Traveller arrived from SMX as it will make its way to PPG. N1202P (msn 056US) is making its delivery flight from LIAU (Capua, Italy) to PPG, via LIKO, ABZ, RKV, YYR, BTV, MDW, ABQ, VGT, SMX, and HNL. This P2012 departed LIAU on 13 July 2023, and made it VGT five days later, then spent time there for testing and ferrying prep. It arrived from SMX this evening, though the original flight routing was for OGG.

Kona Express

Sun Country Airlines has teamed up with an undisclosed group to charter a weekly roundtrip flight between LAX and KOA. The flight, SCX8501/8502 runs on Sundays, with an additional flight on alternating Thursdays. The service began last month with VIP cabin-configured N839SY (c/n 42083, l/n 6232), a 737-8JP, exclusively flying the route.

42083's History:

Jan 2017: Delivered to Norwegian Air International as EI-FVH, with the Jean Sebelius tail livery, and under lease from Jackson Square Aviation.

Dec 2019: Subleased to Norwegian Air Sweden as SE-RRZ.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ARN.

Dec 2020: Ferried to CQM for storage.
Apr 2021: Ferried to PAE for storage and VIP cabin configuration.

May 2021: Leased to Sun Country Airlines as N839SY.

Mobility Guardian 2023

Aircraft, mostly transports, from foreign air forces are stopping through HNL as part of Mobility Guardian 2023, a multi-national air exercise being held at Andersen AFB, Guam.

Le Armée de l’Air has A330-200 MRTTs: F-UJCH (msn 1808, f/n 042) and F-UJCM (msn 1998, f/n 047); and A400M F-RBAR (msn 110, f/n 110).

The Luftwaffe has A400Ms: 54+02 (msn 029) and 54+05 (msn 040).

The Royal Thai Air Force has a C-130J, 60112 (msn 5281).

The Royal Air Force has a C-17A: ZZ172 (c/n 50079, l/n F-78).

The Royal Canadian Air Force has CC-150 Polaris: 15001 (msn 446) and 15003 (msn 425), and C-130J 130605 (msn 5637).

N288CM

Cargo Aircraft Management, CAM, is ferrying N288CM (c/n 29386, l/n 981) from XSP to ILN, via GUM and HNL. This 767-33Q8ERF will be leased to My Freighter of Uzbekistan, and will overnight at HNL.

29386's History:

Apr 2001: Delivered to Air Seychelles as S7-ASY "Aldabra", under lease from ILFC.

May 2012: Leased to Kenya Airways as 5Y-KYV.

May 2014: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Jun 2015: Leased to Air Canada Rouge as C-FJZK (f/n 675).

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at SNN.

Mar 2022: Ferried to MZJ for storage.

Oct 2022: Acquired by CAM, and registered as N288CM.

Nov 2022: Ferried to QPG for freighter conversion. 

Singapore Airlines' 9V-DHC

Singapore Airlines' third 777-F, 9V-DHC (c/n 67143, l/n 1744), is making its first appearance at HNL today as SIA7407 from LAX, and will continue onto SIN. This DHL hybrid-liveried freighter was recently delivered to Singapore Airlines eleven days ago, and will join the rotation of the airlines other two 777-Fs.

Aloha Air Cargo's N360WA

Northern Air Cargo had their N360WA (c/n 23553, l/n 1406) painted in the Aloha Air Cargo livery. This 737-301F was ferried to LIM, via ONT, MIA, and KIN, as AAH9360 this past March for heavy maintenance. It made its return flight to HNL from LIM, via KIN, MIA, and OAK, as AAH9360 this morning. It should enter service within a few days.

N289MT

Raytheon’s heavily-modified 727-223, N289MT (c/n 22467, l/n 1765), is making a stop at HIK as it transits from DNA to LAX, via AWK and HIK. Known as Voodoo One, it is the avionics and radar testbed aircraft for Raytheon.

22467's History:

Jly 1981: Delivered to American Airlines as N710AA (f/n 710), under lease from the Connecticut National Bank, then WFBN (date unknown)

Jan 2001: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TUL.

Mar 2002: Acquired by the Raytheon Corporation, and converted to a testbed aircraft.

N9PF

N9PF (c/n 37583, l/n 2869), a 737-7HZ BBJ, owned by PF Global Aviation, is making a stop at HNL.

A6-RJV

Royal Jet's 737-77W BBJ, A6-RJV (c/n 62467, l/n 5564), is making a stop at HNL this morning.

Royal New Zealand Air Force’s NZ4804

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No 5 Squadron is taking delivery of NZ4804 (c/n 67020, l/n 9601) today. This P-8A, their fourth, is making its delivery flight from BFI to OHA, via HNL and NAN, as POSIDN1.

LZ-MRX

Nauru Airlines is taking delivery of LZ-MRX (c/n 33003, l/n 1121), owned by Merx Aviation. This 737-86NF is making its delivery flight from DHN to BNE, via SDM, HNL, and NAN. It will be registered as VH-8TG.

33003’s History:

Apr 2002: Delivered to Excel Airways as G-XLAG, under lease from GECAS.

Oct 2003: Subleased to Ryanair for six months.

Nov 2005: Subleased to Xtra Airways for seven months.

Nov 2006: Airline rebrands as XL Airways.

Dec 2006: Subleased to Xtra Airways for five months.

Dec 2007: Subleased to Sunwing Airlines as C-FEAG for six months.

May 2009: Leased to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GEJ.

Aug 2016: Acquired by Merx Aviation, and leased to Sriwijaya Air as PK-CMU “Berarti”.

Oct 2021: Returned to Merx as LZ-MRX, and stored at SNN.

Jan 2022: Ferried to DHN for freighter conversion.

N919RA

Boeing Capital Corp is having N919RA (c/n 30174, l/n 1175) from MZJ to PVG, via PHX, HNL, and GUM, for freighter conversion. This 737-809 stopped through HNL this past December on its way to storage.

D-ACBN

Daimler Chrysler's DC Aviation's A319-115CJ, D-ACBN (msn 3243), is making a stop at HNL from STR, via RST, as DCS201.

3243's History:

May 2008: Delivered to DC Aviation as VP-CBN.

Mar 2010: Re-registered as D-ACBN.

15 July 2023 UPDATE

D-ABCN left late tonight, shortly before midnight to return to RST as DCS201.

Kingdom of Morocco’s CN-RGA

The Kingdom of Morocco’s 747-428, CN-RGA (c/n 25629, l/n 956) is making a stop at HNL. The top photo has CN-RGA on final for Runway 8L, and the above photo has the 747 taxiing to Runway 8R to return to Morocco.

Amazon Prime Air's N4621K

Amazon Prime Air is taking delivery of N4621K "Momentum" (msn 1902). This A330-343F will be operated by Hawaiian Airlines, and be based at CVG. It arrived from ICN last night, following freighter conversion at PVG. It will undergo prep work and test flights before Hawaiian puts them into service. This is the first of ten A330-343Fs to be leased from Altavair.

1902's History:

Oct 2018: Ordered by Hong Kong Airlines as B-LHI, but was not taken up.

Apr 2022: Re-registered as F-WXAA by Airbus.

Nov 2022: Ferried to PVG for freighter conversion.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Altavair AirFinance for lease to Hawaiian Airlines.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IA

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of their first 737-8, VH-8IA "Monkey Mia" (c/n 65045, l/n 8604) today. It's making its delivery flight segment from BFI to BNE, via KOA and NAN, as VOZ9947, and will overnight at KOA. It was scheduled to make their delivery flight yesterday, but was postponed to today.

N599MB

Paradise Helicopters has leased a Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, N599MB (msn 208B5547), for ad hoc inter-island charter flights. Their website does not mention the service, but their Instagram account has a post featuring this Grand Caravan. This C208B is being leased from Mani Hana AC N599MB [West Hollywood, CA].

Operation Centennial Contact

Four KC-135Rs from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 203rd Air Refueling Squadron participated in Operation Centennial Contact this morning. It is the commemoration of 100 years of aerial refueling, that many of the US Air Force and Air National Guard refueling units participated in. The four KC-135Rs, flying as TANKER61, performed the flyover with refueling booms lowered, after a refueling training mission. The route took the tankers over Kalaeloa, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, and the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). 

The four Stratotankers seen in the photos above in order, in the flight were :

63-8030 "Mākaha" (c/n 18647, l/n 686)

63-8883 (c/n 18731, l/n 714)

59-1499 (c/n 17987, l/n 402)

61-0290 "Hōkū Lele" (c/n 18197, l/n 512)

We also shot a video of the Stratotankers on final approach for Runway 8L following the flyover.

C-FSRJ

Summit Air (Canada) has acquired C-FSRJ (msn E3331) from Cobham Aviation. This RJ100 is ferrying from ADL to YZF, via BNE, HIR, HNL, and YVR.

E3331's History:

Aug 1998: Delivered to CityFlyer Express as G-BZAV, and operated for British Airways, with a "Chelsea Rose" tail art.

Mar 2007: Tail art reverted to the standard British Airways.

May 2010: Acquired by BAE Systems Asset Management.

Sep 2010: Leased to National Jet Express as VH-NJY, and operated for Cobham Aviation.

Jly 2011: Sold to Falko, and lease transferred.

Jan 2016: New livery for Cobham Aviation.

Mar 2018: Purchased by National Jet Express.

Jun 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ADL.

May 2023: Purchased by Summit Air as C-FSRJ.

TNI Angkatan Udara's A-1340

Lockheed-Martin is delivering A-1340 (msn 5963) to TNI Angkatan Udara (Indonesian Air Force, IDAF). This C-130J-30 Super Hercules is flying from MGE to HLP (via SAN, HNL, MAJ, and GUM) as LAC5963, and is making an overnight stop at HNL. It's also wearing a temporary US registration, N5101Q. This is the TNI-AU's second of five C-130Js to be delivered of the five that was ordered.

QantasLink's N934QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N934QQ (msn 19000034), painted in the QantasLink livery. This ERJ-190AR is making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, OAK, HNL, and NAN. Its being flown by Southern Cross International as SXI2325, and will overnight at HNL from OAK.

19000034's History:

Jun 2006: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1557CMP.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at SJO.

Jly 2021: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services for Alliance Airlines.

RP-C4156

Cebu Pacific is taking delivery of a white-tail A320-214, RP-C4156 (msn 3896), leased from DAE Capital. It’s flying from MEX to MNL, via TUS, HNL, and MAJ. The telltale sign this A320 is destined to Cebu Pacific, is the yellow wingfence. From HNL, it will fly on as CEB4156.

3896's History:

May 2009: Delivered to Bahrain Air as A9C-BAT, under lease from ALAFCO.

Apr 2010: Leased to Turkish Airlines as TC-JPU "Salihli".

Dec 2013: Aircraft name changed to "Aksaray".

Oct 2015: Sold to AWAS, and lease transferred; active for a year, then stored at SAW.

Jly 2017: Leased to Viva Air Colombia as HK-5221.

Aug 2017: Sold to DAE Capital, and lease transferred.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MDE for three months, then ferried to BOG for storage.

Jun 2021: Re-entered service.

Feb 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at BOG, then ferried to MEX a month later.

NASA's N522NA

NASA's Gulfstream G-IV, N522NA (msn 1199), is making a stop at HNL while on its way from LFI to PPG as NASA522, with other stops at BJC and MRY.

28 June 2023 UPDATE

N522NA returned to HNL before returning to LFI (seen above).

01 July 2023 UPDATE

NASA522 departed for TUS early this morning.

N157TS

The Wilmington Trust Company is ferrying N157TS (c/n 30517, l/n 1224) from TNA to DHN, via GSN, HNL, and TUS. This 737-89L appears to be headed for freighter conversion.

30517's History:

Oct 2002: Delivered to Air China as B-2657.

Jly 2018: Withdrawn from service.

Aug 2019: Returned to service.

Mar 2022: Withdrawn from service and stored at CGK.

Jly 2022: Ferried to TNA for storage.

Hawaiian Airlines Acquires Four 717-2BLs

Hawaiian Airlines acquired four 717-2BLs from Boeing Commercial Capital (BCC), and are currently in storage at VCV. It's not known what Hawaiian will do with these 717s.

In honor of Michael Carter's passing several days ago, the photos in the links to the Midwest Airlines photos were taken by our late friend, and fellow aviation photographer.

N728BC (c/n 55172, l/n 5122)

Aug 2003: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N908ME, under lease from BCC.

Oct 2008: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

May 2010: Leased to Mexicana Click as N908ME, and painted in the Mexicana Go livery the next month.

Aug 2010: Withdrawn from service, and stored at GDL, then ferried to VCV four months later.

Jun 2012: Leased to Volotea as EI-EXA.

Aug 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ARN, then ferried to VCV three months later.

Mar 2020: BCC registers it as N728BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

N825BC (c/n 55174, l/n 5124)

Oct 2003: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N910ME, under lease from BCC.

Sep 2009: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

Jun 2012: Leased to Volotea as EI-EXI.

Jan 2021: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCE, then ferried to VCV.

Jly 2021: BCC registers it as N825BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

N826BC (c/n 55183, l/n 5140)

Feb 2005: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N921ME, under lease from BCC.

Oct 2008: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

Aug 2009: Leased to Mexicana Click as N921ME.

May 2013: Leased to Volotea as EI-FBL.

Oct 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

Feb 2021: BCC registers it as N826BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

N883BC (c/n 55190, l/n 5149)

Oct 2005: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N924ME, under lease from BCC.

Oct 2008: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

May 2009: Leased to Mexicana Click as XA-CLD.

Jan 2011: Withdrawn from service, registered as N799BC, and stored at VCV.

Jly 2013: Leased to Volotea as EI-FCU.

Oct 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCE, then ferried to VCV two months later.

Feb 2021: BCC registers it as N883BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

All Nippon Airways' JA894A

All Nippon Airways' 787-9, JA894A (c/n 34517, l/n 605), painted as their new Pokémon logo jet, made a stop at HNL as ANA186 from HND today. It will return to HND this afternoon as ANA185.

JA894A spent over a month at TPE getting the Pokémon characters painted across the fuselage.

N154TS

N154TS (c/n 30515, l/n 1165), a 737-89L owned by Aviation Trading and Leasing LLC Trustee, is stopping through HNL as it ferries from TNA to CNW, via MFM, SPN, and HNL.

30515's History:

Jun 2002: Delivered to Air China as B-2671.

Jun 2018: Withdrawn from service, and stored at PEK for 14 months, then reactivated.

Feb 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TNA.

Mar 2023: Sold to the Wilmington Trust Company as N154TS.

Jun 2023: Sold to Aviation Trading and Leasing LLC Trustee.

07 Jly 2023 UPDATE

Sold to Falcon Aviation Holdings, and ferried from CNW to CWF, via ICT.

25 Jan 2024 UPDATE

AirlineVideos caught N154TS in a new livery at LAX. Falcon Aviation Holdings is linked to SpaceX, as they share the same registration address.

Aloha ‘Oe Michael Carter

The HNL RareBirds team expresses their condolences and prayers to the family of aviation photographer, Michael Carter, who passed away yesterday morning.

Mike was an internationally published writer and photographer, with works published in Airliners, Airways, Airliner World, and other publications. He specialized in airliner photos at the SoCal airports, Las Vegas, and Anchorage. He also ran the Aero Pacific Flightlines blog, and was a staff photographer for Airliners Gallery. He was also a long-time employee of Southwest Airlines. Prior to working for Southwest, Mike lived a few years on Hawai‘i Island.

I got to spend time with Mike several years ago, on one of his vacations here, where we spent a day plane spotting at HNL. We also messaged each other regarding airliners, most recently with Southwest's "Imua One", which stopped at LGB, before heading here.

The aviation photography community lost a great photographer yesterday. Fair winds and blue skies, Mike. 

Pacific Air Charters To Assign P2012s

CH-Aviation reports that Pacific Air Charters will assign its two Tecnam P2012 Travelers on order to its new subsidiary in American Sāmoa, called Pago Wings.

Pago Pagoʻs KVZK reports that Pago Wings is owned by the Alofa family.

Typhoon Mawar Relief Flights

Following Typhoon Mawar's pass over Guam, several relief flights were flown from Hawai‘i airports. Two HC-130Js from the US Coast Guard's 14th District based at JRF were dispatched to GUM. Kalitta Air's N767CK flew their weekly GUM flight, CKS370, with emergency generators from FEMA. Antonov Airlines' UR-82008 used KOA as a stop from SBD to GUM. The An-124 flew as ADB3558. United Airlines also brought supplies in their 777s that normally service GUM. Asia Pacific's N888LT flew as MGE400 to GUM. The airport sustained damage to some of their jet bridges , and is open for limited operations.

HNL's Runway 8L To Reopen This Morning

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Airports Division (HDOTA) announced that HNL's Runway 8L reopens this morning at 07:00. It has been closed since last October for widening and repaving.

Further information in this HDOTA press release.

The first flight to depart from 8L was HAL166 at 08:05, flown by N491HA. The first flight to land on 8L this morning was HAL144, at 08:13, flown by N486HA. 

HiFly Malta's 9H-TQP

HiFly Malta's A330-202, 9H-TQP (msn 211), is making a flight from YYZ to HNL as HFM352P today. It's due to arrive this evening.

211's History:

Apr 1998: Delivered to Canada 3000 as C-GGWB, under lease from ILFC.

Jly 2002: Leased to Volare Airlines as I-VLED.

May 2004: Leased to Air Madrid as EC-IYN "Atocha".

May 2007: Leased to Air Comet as EC-IYN for two years, then re-registered as EC-KIM two months later.

Sep 2011: Leased to HiFly as CS-TQP.

Dec 2013: Subleased to Livingston for one month.

May 2014: Subleased to Saudia for six months.

Jun 2017: Subleased to XL Airways France for three months, then in 2018 and 2019 for the same period.

Dec 2021: Transferred to HiFly Malta as 9H-TQP.

Lānaʻi Air To Receive A SkyCourier

Western Aircraft, the parent company of Lānaʻi Air, has taken delivery of a Cessna C408A SkyCourier. N971LA (msn 408-0012) is currently at BOI for pilot training. This SkyCourier is the first passenger version to be delivered to Western Aircraft. The cabin will be fitted for the full 19 seats for shuttle service. The delivery flight to HNL will occur after training is complete, and the ferry tanks installed. This SkyCourier will join the six Pilatus PC-12s in the Lānaʻi Air fleet.

Further information in this Cessna / Textron Aviation news release.

Lānaʻi Air will receive five C408s, three passenger and two freighters, for their charter and shuttle operations.

Alaska Airlines' N559AS

Alaska Airlines had their "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon" 737-890, N559AS (c/n 35178, l/n 2026), repainted at AMA to the new "Xáat Kwaáni (Salmon People) special livery. It's making its first appearance at HNL from SFO today as ASA877, and will depart for SAN as ASA892. N559AS made an appearance at OGG on the 20th from PDX as ASA809, and departed for SFO as ASA878.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines news release.

N208FF

N208FF (msn 208B1125), a Cessna C208B Grand Caravan owned by Merlin Labs, is transiting through HNL as it goes from MCE to AKL. It's next stop is APW, following some repairs at HNL.

Merlin Labs is a company working on fully autonomous flying, and N208FF is one of their testbed aircraft.

N153QS Bound For HNL Crashes Off Bay Area

N153QS (msn 869), a Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter, owned by a Bank of Utah Trustee, crashed off the coast of Half Moon Bay, CA today. Two souls aboard perished. It was scheduled to deliver from STS to NAN, with a stop at HNL. This Twin Otter was reported to be a floatplane version that used to be based in Australia.

Further details in this Aviation Safety Network report.

USDOT Revokes Rhoades Certificate

CH-Aviation reports that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has revoked Rhoades Aviation's certificate of public convenience and necessity, effectively shutting the airline down. Rhoades can reapply after a period of one year. The FAA already had revoked its operating certificate on 30 January 2023.

N340CG

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N340CG (msn 2340) from SGN to GYR, via GUM, MAJ, and JRF, as OMD197. This A320-232 is being returned to the Aviation Capital Group, and will make a gas & go fuel stop at JRF.

2340's History:

Jan 2005: Delivered to Tiger Airways as 9V-TAD, under lease from ACG.

Aug 2012: Leased to Jetstar Pacific as VN-A556.

May 2017: Leased to Pan Pacific Airlines as RP-C7933.

Jly 2020: Leased again to Jetstar Pacific as VN-A556, but did not re-enter service. Airline rebranded as Pacific Airlines, A320 remained in storage at HAN.

N175AN

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N175AN (c/n 32394, l/n 992) from ROW to XMN, via JRF and GUM, as OMD199. This 757-223, owned by AerSale Inc, is headed for freighter conversion. It will make a gas & go fuel stop at JRF this evening.

N175AN's History:

Dec 2001: Delivered to American Airlines (f/n 5FK).

Jun 2015: Painted in the current livery.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ROW.

Apr 2023: Sold to the AAR Corporation, then sold to AerSale a month later.

Royal New Zealand Air Force's NZ4803

The Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 5 Squadron is taking delivery of their third P-8A Poseidon, NZ4803 (c/n 67019, l/n 9565). It's making its delivery flight from BFI to OHA, via HNL and NAN, as POSIDN1.

N492BA

N492BA (msn 492), a Dash8-202Q owned by Berry Aviation, is ferrying from ADL to HYI, via POM, MAJ, HNL, and MMV.

492's History:

Oct 1997: Delivered to Field Aviation as C-GEOA.

Jan 1998: Acquired by Surveillance Australia as VH-LCL, and operated for the Royal Australian Navy.

Oct 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored at CNS.

Dec 2019: Ferried to ADL for storage.