Vietnam Airlines Orders 50 737-8s

Boeing announced today, that Vietnam Airlines has placed a firm order for 50 737-8s. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025. Hopefully these 737s will stop through HNL on their delivery flights.

Vietnam Airlines joins competitor VietJetAir with 737MAX series in this Southeast Asian nation. VietJetAir has an order for 200 737MAXs, with deliveries slated to begin in 2024.

Hawaiian Airlines Announces First 787 Routes

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they will launch 787-9 Dreamliner service between HNL and SFO on 15 April 2024, then HNL-LAX a month later.

The airline has N780HA (c/n 66428, l/n 1097) positioned at PAE for production testing and training, and due to arrive home in January 2024. Their second 787-9, N781HA (c/n _____, l/n 1172) is awaiting final assembly at CHS.

MYAirline's TF-GAD

Goshawk Aviation is having TF-GAD (msn 3349) flown from LCQ to KUL, via SBD, HNL, and GUM, as its being delivered under lease to MYAirline. This A320-214 will make an overnight stop at HNL. Once in Malaysia, it will receive its Malaysian registration, 9M-DAN.

3349's History:

Dec 2007: Delivered to Jazeera Airways as 9K-CAF, under lease from DVB Bank.

Jly 2010: Leased to Virgin America as N640VA "refresh air" (f/n 640).

Apr 2013: Sold to SMBC, and the lease transferred.

Jly 2015: Sold to Goshawk Aviation, and the lease transferred .

Jan 2018: Transferred to the Alaska Airlines fleet following the merger.

Sep 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at SFO.

Apr 2021: Ferried to OAK for storage.

Jan 2022: Ferried to GSO for storage.

Feb 2023: Ferried to LCQ for storage, and prep to MYAirline.

Jly 2023: Goshawk re-regeisters as TF-GAD.

Super Air Jet's PK-SAF

Super Air Jet is taking delivery of PK-SAF (msn 3357) today. It's making its delivery flight from TUS to CGK (via HNL, MAJ, and BIK) as SJV1. This A320-232's stop at HNL is scheduled for a gas & go stop.

This A320 stopped through HNL in October 2020 as OE-IAS, on its way to TUS.

Lānaʻi Air's N971LA

Lāna‘i Air is taking delivery their first Cessna C408 SkyCourier, N971LA (msn 408-0012), today. It's makings delivery flight from SMX to HNL as STT971. It has been at BOI since May, and made the trip down to VGT for the ferry tank system installation last week. N971LA is the first passenger version of the C408 SkyCourier series to be delivered to an airline.

This is the first of five C408s that Lānaʻi Air to be delivered, and the first of three passenger C408s.

All Nippon Airways To Adjust NRT Flights

All Nippon Airways announced today that they will be adjusting their A380-841 NRT service with both flights to/from NRT going daily from 06 December, as there is increasing demand for travel to Hawai‘i.

On a related note, their third A380, JA383A "La" (msn 266), will enter service on 20 October. This will be the first time the orange honu will be flying revenue flights.

Hawaiian Airlines Deciding On B712 Replacement

Flight Global reports that Hawaiian Airlines will have a decision regarding the replacement of their 717-200 fleet. The decision should come between the 4th Quarter of this year, and the 1st Quarter of the next. However, the actual replacement won't happen until the latter part of the decade. What could be replacement airliners? According to Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram, he states in the article that the A319neo, both A220 variants, and the ERJ195-E2 are on the table. Interestingly, there was no mention of the 737MAX series.

COMPARISON

B717-200: RR BR715 | 128 seats | 1,430nm range | 935 cu ft cargo

to

A319-171N: PW1100G | 140-160 seats | 3,750nm range | 950 cu ft cargo

A220-100  : PW1500G | 100-120 seats | 3,450nm range | 840 cu ft cargo

A220-300  : PW1500G | 120-150 seats | 3,600nm range | 1,120 cu ft cargo

ERJ-195-E2: PW1900G | 120-132 seats | 2,665nm range | --

ANALYSIS

The two big questions are, will any of these candidates be able to handle the rigorous schedule that the 717-200s currently maintain, and will Hawaiian have to make adjustments to work with the GTF cool down times? And with the multitude of inter-island flights, will they be able to accommodate available belly space that Hawaiian uses for a lot of their inter-island cargo operations? 

Engines: All three candidates use the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF), though the A319N has the same variant, PW1100G, that are on the current A321Ns The A319N does have the option for the CFM LEAP-1X series engines, but it's highly unlikely Hawaiian would choose this option for this type, as it would incur additional maintenance training.

Seats: All three candidates will need to have two-class seating. The A319N will offer more seats, while the A220-300 and E195-E2 will barely break even, and the A220-100 will offer less seats.

Range: The A319N offers a 2,300nm gain, the A220-100 has 2,000nm gain, the A220-300 has a 2,100nm gain, and the E195-E2 has a 1,200nm gain.

Cargo Volume: The A319N has slightly more volume, but the A220-300 has over 150 cu ft more belly space, while the A220-100 has considerably less. No data was available for the E195-E2.

Each will provide at least another 1,000 miles in additional range, that could make it an ideal aircraft for Hawaiian to expand into secondary markets on the west coast, or more service to the west coast from the Neighbor Island airports. The flight deck of an A319neo is similar to the A321neo that Hawaiian already has, and can reduce pilot training time. Based on the data, The A220-300 and the A319N appear to be the front-runners.  It will be interesting to see which aircraft Hawaiian will select to replace the 717 when they make their selection.

Stanford Cardinal Team Charter

The Stanford University Cardinal football team is using a United Airlines 757-324 for its team charter to Honolulu, to play the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Friday evening. N75854 (c/n 32813, l/n 999, f/n 0854) is making the charter flight from SJC as UAL2519. The Cardinal will return to SJC on Saturday, 02 September.

02 September 2023 UPDATE

The team returns to SJC this afternoon aboard N57855 (c/n 32814, l/n 1038, f/n 0855) as UAL2519 following their 37-22 win over Hawai‘i.

Delta Air Lines To Launch HND-HNL Service

Delta Air Lines announced earlier today, that they will launch daily 767-300ER service between HND and HNL on 28 October 2023 as DAL180/181. In March 2020, Delta moved the Tokyo operations from NRT to HND.

This will be the second US carrier, next to Hawaiian Airlines to have service between HND and HNL, and will add about 220 seats. Delta will be the fourth overall airline to fly between HND and HNL, along with All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.

Further details in this Delta Air Lines press release.

VMM-363 MV-22B Crash In Australia

A US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey based out of Marine Corps Air Field Kāneʻohe Bay crashed in Australia, with 23 Marines aboard on Sunday. The accident took the lives of three Marines, with five seriously injured, and the other 15 Marines treated on scene.  The Osprey belonging to the VMM-363 “Red Lions”went down on Melville Island, during Exercise Predator’s Run 2023. The Osprey was carrying Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment from Camp Pendleton, CA. Both units are also part of this year's Marine Rotational Force - Darwin.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the lost, and the injured and their families. 

We thank them for their service and sacrifice.

Major Tobin Lewis, Pilot and Executive Officer

Captain Eleanor Lebeau, Pilot

Corporal Spencer Collart, Crew Chief

Further information in this Marine Corps press release, Marine Corps Times article, AviationSafety.net report, and this KHON2 News report.

N195AN

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N195AN (c/n 38389, l/n 984) from ROW to XMN, via JRF and GUM for freighter conversion. This 757-223 is flying as OMD278, and will make an overnight stop at JRF.

N195AN's History:

Nov 2001: Delivered to American Airlines (f/n 5FE).

Aug 2015: Painted in the current livery.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TUL, then ROW the month after.

Jun 2023: Acquired by AerSale.

N919NX

Nexus Aviation Ventures is ferrying N919NX (msn 2919) from TUS to XMN for freighter conversion. This white-tail A321-231 is making stops at HNL and GUM along the way.

2919's History:

Oct 2006: Delivered to Kingfisher Airlines as VT-KFP, under lease from PAFCO.

Jun 2007: Sold to AWAS, and the lease transferred.

Jly 2013: Returned to AWAS as OE-ICJ.

Apr 2014: Leased to Turkish Airlines as TC-JMN "Enseler".

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

Aug 2020: Returned to DAE Capital as LZ-DAC, and stored at XCR.

May 2021: Leased to Aruba Airlines as P4-AAI.

Apr 2023: Returned to DAE Capital, and stored at TUS.

Jun 2023: Sold to Nexus Aviation Ventures as N919NX.

N879MA

A former Mokulele Airlines C208B Grand Caravan EX, N879MA "City of Kapolei" (msn 208B5019), was used in the filming of Hulu's "Vacation Friend's 2". The aircraft was originally written off following an accident at JHM, where it overran the departure end of Rwy 2 while landing. According to a very reliable source, the the airframe was flown to HNL, and stored at the Makani Kai Helicopters (now Magnum Helicopters) ramp, next to the former Kamaka Air Super DC-3 fuselage.

For this movie, the stripped fuselage was used for cabin interiors. The exterior of the airframe, probably CGI, was shot with a Caravan using the N879MA registration (which was cancelled by the FAA in April 2021), but painted in a livery similar to Kamaka Air (without titles) and seen taking off from a beach in Hale‘iwa.

"Vacation Friends 2", starring Lil Rey Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena and Meredith Hagner, premieres tomorrow, 25 August, on Hulu. It was filmed here on O‘ahu. A Hawaiian Airlines 717-200 was used to film the cabin interior for a scene. The Hawai‘i Convention Center's ground floor area was transformed as an airport terminal. The Turtle Bay Hotel and Resort was used as the Mexican resort.

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.