Amazon Prime Air's N661AZ

Amazon Prime Air's N661AZ (c/n 29384, l/n 784) is ferrying from QPG to BQK [Golden Isles Airport, Brunswick, GA], with stops at CRK, JRF, and PHX. This 767-304ERF completed its conversion to a freighter at QPG. N661AZ stopped through HNL last October. It most likely will be operated by Air Transport International.

Federal Express' N919FD

Federal Express is ferrying N919FD "Evan" (c/n 24636, l/n 259, f/n 919) from MEM to HNL, via OAK, as FDX9075. It will join the other 757-200Fs in the inter-island cargo service.

N919RA

Southern Cross International is ferrying N919RA (c/n 30174, l/n 1175) from PVG to GYR, with stops at GUM and JRF, as SXI2612. This white-tail 737-809F, owned by Boeing Capital, completed freighter conversion at PVG.

30174's History:

Jly 2002: Delivered to China Airlines as B-18615.

__ 2007: Blended Winglets installed.

May 2021: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TPE for three months.

Aug 2021: Ferried to TSA for storage for three months.

Oct 2021: Ferried back to TPE for storage.

Dec 2022: Acquired by Royal Aero GmbH as N919RA, and ferried to MZJ for storage.

Apr 2023: Acquired by Boeing Capital Corporation.

Jly 2023: Ferried to PVG for freighter conversion.

Sumisho Air Lease Begins Operations

Sumisho Air Lease, the merged companies of SMBC and Air Lease Corp., officially began operations as the largest aircraft leasing company as the merger was finalized today.

Further information in this SMBC news release.

China Southern Airlines' B-228M

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-228M (c/n 66419, l/n 9547) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CSN8139.

Super Air Jet's PK-SAF

Super Air Jet is ferrying PK-SAF (msn 3357) from DJJ [Sentani Airport, Jayapura, Indonesia] to P08, with stops at MAJ and HNL, as SJV1. This A320-232 is being returned to its lessor, Avolon Aeropsace, and is due to be parted out and scrapped.

PK-SAF stopped through HNL in September 2023 on its delivery flight.

Conair's C-GVFK

Conair's RJ85 Aerial Firefighter, C-GVFK "Hunter" (msn E2268, f/n 164), is ferrying back to YXX from BQB. It departed BQB on 02 April, and is making stops at AVV, BNE, HIR, MAJ, HNL, OAK, and YVR. Its stop at HNL is tonight.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVO

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MVO (c/n 43358, l/n 9511) today. This 737-8, their first delivery for 2026, is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as MAS5041.

Singapore Airlines' 9V-MBV

Singapore Airlines is taking delivery of 9V-MBV (c/n 44260, l/n 9531) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SIN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as SIA8890.

Hawaiian Airlines Ends Code-Share With Virgin Australia

Hawaiian Airlines filed a termination notice with the US Department of Transportation, that it is ending its code-share with Virgin Australia today. This ends the decade-long partnership between the two airlines.

N583JH

N583JH (msn 208B1001), a C208 Caravan owned by 208B1001 LLC Saipan [Saipan, NMI], is ferrying from SPN to the mainland, with stops at HIR, APW, HNL, and MCE. Its stop at HNL is tonight.

N583JH's History:

Dec 2002: Delivered to Mallard Haven LLC.

Jun 2005: Sold to Skytech Inc.

Sep 2005: Sold to Air Holdings Inc.

Nov 2010: Sold to Lowcountry Trading LLC.

Jun 2018: Sold to 208B1001 LLC Saipan.

Virgin Australia's VH-E2C

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-E2C "Margaret River" (msn 19020209). This E190-E2 is making its delivery flight from SJK to PER, with stops at BGI, OPF, TUS, KOA, NAN, BNE, and CNS, as VOZ9943. VH-E2C departed SJK on 01 April, and it's overnight stop at KOA is tonight.

Aloha Airlines' N741AL

This quarter's HNL RareBirds Classic Aloha Airlines' tribute features N741AL "Olopana" (c/n 28641, l/n 809, f/n 741). This 737-76N is seen above, was photographed while under tow from the RON Ramp at SNA, as it would depart for OGG, prior to my flight to HNL. It was one of two Aloha 737-76Ns that overnighted at SNA.

28641's History:

Mar 2001: Delivered to Aloha Airlines as N741AL "Olopana", under lease from GECAS.

Mar 2008: Withdrawn from service due to airline shutdown, and returned to GECAS a month later.

Jan 2009: Leased to Arik Air as 5N-MJJ "City of Benin".

Jun 2018: Stored at LOS [Murtalla Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria].

Nov 2021: Acquired by AerCap, the lease transferred, and remains in storage.

Mokuele Airlines' N839MA Hard Landing At MKK

Mokulele Airlines' N839MA (msn 208B2392) suffered a flat tire on a hard landing at MKK this afternoon. Flying as FDY39, this C208B Grand Caravan landed hard on MKKʻs Runway 5. Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner and Hawaiian music singer Raiatea Helm was aboard the flight, and posted the result on her Instagram post.

After a tire change and inspection, N839MA continued onto OGG this evening.

Korean Air To End KAL Branding

Shareholders of Korean Air voted to end the English KAL branding, in favor of the new "KE Way" and KE branding, and the airline updated its livery last year. The KE branding is based on the airline's IATA two-letter designation. Part of this has to do with the merger with Asiana Airlines, which is scheduled to be completed this December. Nothing was mentioned regarding the status of the KAL ICAO three-letter designator.

Further information in this Newsis article.

Helicopter Accident At Kalalau Beach

KHON2 reports that a helicopter with five aboard made a crash landing at Kalalau Beach on Kaua‘i's Nāpali coast after 15:30HAST today. It's being reported to be an air tour helicopter belonging to Airborne Aviation. Flight tracks from FlightRadar24 and FlightAware, shows the last helicopter to be in the area as N715KA (msn 490487D), a Hughes 359D, commonly known as a Hughes 500. There were five people aboard the helicopter. N715KA is owned by AA Leasing LP [Kīlauea, Kaua‘i, HI], and leased to Airborne Aviation.

26 March 2026 - 22:00 UPDATE

Kaua‘i County officials report there were three fatalities, and two injuries.

27 March 2026 UPDATE

The FAA confirmed that it was N715KV that crashed, and the accident is under investigation by the FAA and the NTSB.

China Southern Airlines' B-228K

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-228K (c/n 44406, l/n 9503) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CSN8139. This is China Southern's first new-build 737-8 since the groundings.

United Airlines To Take Delivery of 250+ Airliners By 2028

United Airlines announced today, that between now and 2028, they will take delivery of over 250 new airliners. That includes: 47 787-9s with the "Elevated" cabin, 119 737MAX series (breakdown not specified), 40 A321-200N "Coastliners", 28 A321XLRs; and 18 A321-200Ns. It's not known which of these aircraft will serve Hawai‘i after delivery. The A321neos will be replacing the airline's aging 757-200s.

Though not affecting Hawai‘i, United Airlines is also launching the Mitsubishi CRJ450, which is an upgraded CRJ200, that will be operated by SkyWest Airlines. United has 50 CRJ450s on order with Mitsubishi, and expects to have all 50 by the end of 2028.

On a related note, Simple Flying noted that United has canceled its order for 45 A350-900s with Airbus.

Life Flight Network Orders 12 PC-12s

Life Flight Network, that operates air ambulance services on Hawai‘i Island, has placed a firm order with Pilatus Aircraft for 12 PC-12 PROs, that will be equipped with ICU medical gear. Currently, Life Flight Network has two PC-12/47Es, and an EC135P2+, based on the island. The air ambulance service is also expanding to MUE. It's not known if there will be more PC-12s added to their Hawai‘i Island operations.

Further details in this Life Flight Network news release.

HDOT-A Suspends KOA Ops

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports has issued a ground stop at KOA due to severe weather in the vicinity, that includes thunderstorm cells. KOA will reopen once the storm cells clear out.

23 March 2026 - 11:15 UPDATE

HDOT-A has reopened KOA.