Allegiant Airlines' N286NV

Allegiant Airlines is taking delivery of its next A320-214, N286NV (msn 4447, f/n 286). It's making its delivery flight from HKG to BQN [Aguadilla, PR], via GUM, MAJ, HNL, and TUS. It's making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

4447 was originally delivered to Cebu Pacific in October 2010 as RP-C3260. In 2016, it was painted into the current livery, and flew with CEB until May 2020, then stored at CAN from July to October, when it was flown to HKG to repaint into the Allegiant livery.

FAA Clears The 737 MAX To Fly

Today, the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the way for airlines to resume 737 MAX 8, MAX 9, and MAX 10 service. All US carriers must update their flight crew and maintenance trainings before the airliners return to service. Many delivered and undelivered 737 MAXs have been in storage for the past 18 months following the two fatal accidents. In the US, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines currently have MAX variants. Alaska Airlines has MAX9s on order.

The European Union and Canadian aviation safety agencies are next up to re-certify the 737 MAX.

Boeing will also remove the MAX name from the 737, and each variant will be known as the 737-7, 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10.

Further information in this FAA news release, Boeing Mediaroom release, and Airways Magazine report.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 (c/n 19530502630, l/n 02-10), is making a stop tonight at HNL from NTL [Newcastle, Australia] via BNE as ADB3581. It will continue onto YMX.

Korean Air To Acquire Asiana Airlines

In a move to bolster South Korean commercial air travel, Korean Air announced today that they acquiring rival Asiana Airlines for over $1.6B USD. This merger would put the new Korean Air in the top ten in terms of airline size. The move by Korean Air's parent company Hanjin KAL, was partially due to the effects of the China Corona Virus pandemic on the airline industry as a whole. Prior to the pandemic, Asiana was experiencing financial troubles, and the current state of affairs made their situation much worse. This move should ensure the survivability of the South Korean airline industry, especially when it comes to international routes. The combined fleet will be over 250 aircraft with many common types.

Further details in this SamChui.com article.

Qantas' 100th Anniversary

Qantas Airways celebrates its 100th anniversary today. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up in white and red LEDs as their 100th anniversary-liveried 787-9, VH-ZNJ (c/n 66074, l/n 929), made a pass above the bridge.

Video footage from SamChui.com.

Qantas has been a mainstay at HNL for decades from SYD.

Hawaiian Airlines To Keep 717-200s

Hawaiian Airlines plans to keep the 717-200 as the backbone of its inter-island fleet until at least mid-decade, or into the latter part of the decade. In an article at SimpleFlying.com, the airline said the 717 is the best airliner for the operation, and with the current environment, the airline has not begun to look for a replacement.

Starlux Airlines Proposes A TPE-HNL Route

Starlux Airlines, Taiwan's newest airline, was granted new international routes with A350-900s and A350-1000s possibly beginning in 2022. One of the routes announced was Honolulu. Service would be with A350-900s, and would be competing with China Airlines' A350-900s.

Further information in this CH-Aviation.com article.

Northern Air Cargo's N379CX

Northern Air Cargo is ETOPS testing one of its 767-300ERFs, N379CX (c/n 25199, l/n 433) from MIA as NAC9001/9002.

India Navy's N490DS

The Indian Navy is taking delivery of their eighth P-8I Neptune (737-8F.V), N490DS (c/n 64890, l/n 7757). It's making its delivery flight from BFI to India as BOE231, and is making an overnight stop at HNL

Interjet's VP-BJT

VP-BJT (msn 7358), a former Interjet A321-211 leased from BOC is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL and GUM, similar to sister-ship VP-BJK. It delivered to Interjet in October 2016 as XA-GEO, and was returned to BOC in March 2020.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 91st anniversary of its first flight today.

Hawaiian Flies New Mexico Team Charter

Hawaiian Airlines is flying the team charter for the University of New Mexico Lobos football team for their game on Saturday, in Honolulu against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N393HA "Lehuakona" (msn 1422, f/n 393) is making the trip from LAS to HNL, and the A330-243 is flying as HAL767, due arrive this evening. The team will return to LAS following the game, late Saturday night as HAL768.

Due to a surge of COVID cases in Albuquerque, NM, the Lobos have relocated to Las Vegas to practice, and play home games at the Sam Boyd Silverbowl for this season.

11.08.20 UPDATE

N393HA made the return trip to LAS.

Aloha Air Cargo's N361NC Flown To OPF

Aloha Air Cargo, and it's parent company Saltchuk Corporation, has ferried N361NC (c/n 23260, l/n 1146) from HNL to OPF, via OAK. This 737-301SF is being ferried for storage, as it's being put up for sale.

Mitsubishi Suspends SpaceJet Program

CH-Aviation.com reports that the Mitsubishi SpaceJet (formerly the MRJ) program will be suspended until mid-decade partially due to the China Corona Virus pandemic and the certification process. Mitsubishi hopes to restart program in 2024.

Delta Air Lines' N837MH

Our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back December 2005 with Delta Air Lines' 767-432ER, N837MH (c/n 29710, l/n 820, f/n 1813), wearing the "Colors In Motion" livery, departing Runway 22L.

N837MH was delivered to Delta in December 2000, and continues to fly for the airline. In spring 2010, it was painted to the current livery.

Interjet's VP-BJK

VP-BJK (msn 7311), a former Interjet A321-211, is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL, and GUM. It's making an overnight stop at HNL. The former XA-JPB, is an A321 is owned by BOC, and was leased to Interjet in autumn 2016, and returned in March 2020.

Alliance Airlines' N922QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of their first Embraer ERJ-190AR, N922QQ (msn 19000222). It's making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, HNL and TRW [Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa, Kiribati]. It will be registered as VH-UYZ after arrival at BNE.

19000222 was originally delivered to Copa Airlines in November 2008 as HP-1569CMP, and flew with Copa until March 2020. Seven months later, it was acquired by TVPX Solutions as N922QQ.

Hawaiian Airlines To Push Back 787-9 Deliveries

Hawaiian Airlines announced in their third quarter financial report that they will push back the deliveries of their 787-9 order with the first aircraft to now be delivered in September 2022. The ten ordered will deliver through 2026.

‘Ohana To Continue EAS Service

According to a Hawaii News Now report, Hawaiian Airlines will extend ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger and cargo service between HNL and MKK, and HNL and LNY as part of Essential Air Service requirements by the USDOT into mid-January 2021. Service beyond mid-January will be decided later.

N413JG Mainland Charters

TransAir's 737-2Q8/Adv, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), has ferried to ADM [Ardmore, OK], via SBD, for charter flight work around the mainland.