Aloha Air Cargo Returns N361NC

Aloha Air Cargo returned N361NC (c/n 23260, l/n 1146) to its sister company, Northern Air Cargo, today. This 737-301F is ferrying from HNL to YLW [Kelowna, BC], via OAK as AAH361.

Hawaiian To Order 787-9s?

According to airline industry consultant Scott Hamilton and his Leeham News & Comment website, they report that Hawaiian Airlines will switch their order for six Airbus A330-800s to six Boeing 787-9s, and the formal announcement from Hawaiian is pending.

Originally, Hawaiian Airlines was one a handful of airlines to order the A350-800 a few years ago. When Airbus cancelled the A350-800, Hawaiian was offered the A330neo (A330-800) as a substitute. The airline was offered the longer A350-900, but declined, opting for the A330-800, as the former would be too much airplane for the airline's flight operations. The same applied to the A330-300. When Hawaiian received its first A330-243s, we asked Mark Dunkerley if the A330-300 was a viable option, and his answer was "no, it's too much airplane for what we do."

Noting the longer range of the 787-9, was one of the factors in Hawaiian Airlines making the switch, as the airline is looking into routes further into Asia, beyond the range of their current A330-243s.

However, a FlightGlobal report states that Hawaiian Airlines rebutted the Leeham article, saying they will stay with the A330-800.

Again, Hawaiian Airlines is yet to formally announce whether it will stay with the A330-800 or switch their order to the 787-9.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPH

Virgin Australia is ferrying its last Embraer ERJ-190AR, VH-ZPH "Honeymoon Cove" (msn 19000199) from BNE to BNA (via APW, HNL, and VNY). It's flying as VOZ9901, and will stop off at HNL this afternoon. VH-ZPH was retired from service on the 3rd of this month.

VH-ZPH was originally delivered to Virgin Blue in August 2008, and was named "Hastings Highness". After the airline re-branded itself as Virgin Australia in 2011, this ERJ-190 was renamed "Honeymoon Cove".

The airline has retired its entire ERJ-190 fleet, and ferried them to Nashville, TN, for storage. Several have been acquired by Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), and found new homes with other airlines.

2-MSCC

2-MSCC (c/n 40145, l/n 4405), a former Malaysia Airlines 737-8H6, is being ferried from KUL to MZJ (via GUM and HNL). It was delivered to Malaysia Airlines in March 2013 as 9M-MSC, and withdrawn from service in July 2017.

Honeywell's N757HW

Honeywell's technology testbed arrived yesterday from Phoenix. N757HW (c/n 22194, l/n 5), a 757-225, visited Honolulu a few months ago on it's way home to PHX.

Air China's B-6075

Air China's A330-243, B-6075 (msn 785), made the Beijing run today as CA837. It's painted in the Zijin Hao (Forbidden Pavillion Liner) special livery. 

N425PQ Impounded

N425PQ (msn 680-0517), a Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign owned by Textron Aviaition Finance Corp [Wichita, KS], has been impounded at an FBO on the south ramp, yesterday, after officers from the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) made a surprise inspection on the business jet. Aboard the Citation, were six passengers headed for the Philippines, including the pastor of a Filipino Christian mega-church. The officers discovered over $350,000 in cash, and parts for military rifles. The pastor was detained by CBP, and later left Honolulu on a commercial flight; while a local resident aboard the aircraft was arrested, and taken into custody.

Further details in this Hawaii News Now article.

Governor Ige Announces New Diamond Head Concourse

Hawai‘i Governor David Ige announced today that the State of Hawai‘i will embark on a $1.1B modernized Diamond Head Concourse at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport. A project that has been overdue by a decade. It will add up to 14 gates, and a new Commuter Terminal. This also coincides with a Senate Bill, SB2996, that is seeking the creation of a Hawai‘i airports corporation.

Further coverage in this Hawaii News Now report, and the full announcement that was recorded and streamed by KHON2.


Back Story
In 2006, Governor Linda Lingle proposed a $2.3B / 12-year modernization project that would have revamped both ‘Ewa and Diamond Head Concourses, build a Mauka Extension to the Inter-Island Terminal, new hangar and facilities for Hawaiian Airlines, among other projects. Renderings can be found on the Hawai‘i Airports Modernization website, and HDOT has relied the site to reflect it's ongoing projects. When Neil Abercrombie was elected governor in 2008, he first said he wanted his predecessor's project to continue, but after a short time, he reneged on the full scope of the project, and only took on small parts of it. Hard pressed for modernization calls by the airlines, Governor David Ige brought us to the point we are today.


Analysis / Opinion
While the new Diamond Head Concourse is needed, other projects would be needed to be completed before, to alleviate an already congested midday peak traffic period. HDOT has a new Commuter Terminal on its plans in the same area as the proposed modernized concourse. This needs to be rectified, before real construction can begin.

First, the old Hawaiian Airlines / Aloha Air Cargo T-Hangar, and Hawaiian Airlines Cargo buildings will need to be torn down. This will allow extra taxiway space and potential hardstands.

Second, the Mauka Extension needs to be built. Although it will only have six wide-body gates (or 11 narrow-body gates), it will allow Hawaiian Airlines to move those aircraft to these gates.

Third, with the North Hardstands being eliminated, more ramp space needs to be built to accommodate aircraft parking spots. The old hangars east of the United Cargo facility should be torn down, and parking spots be put there. Also, the HDOT Baseyard, should be moved off-site, which allow more aircraft parking.

Fourth, then proceed with the construction of the new Diamond Head Concourse. However, in the image released by HDOT, the proposed concourse lacks a southward pier, that could hold up to six additional gates, which could definitely be utilized.

Fifth, the ‘Ewa concourse would probably be the next up for modernization, and finally the Center Concourse.

United Airlines' N773UA Emergency

United Airlines' 777-222, N773UA (c/n 26929, l/n 4, f/n 2473), suffered an in-flight unconfined engine failure on its number 2 engine, as the the forward cowling came off as it approached HNL from SFO as UAL1175. The incident happened as the 777 began its descent. It landed on Runway 8R, with ARFF crew standing by; thankfully without any injuries. The aircraft taxied to the gate, then was towed to the United hangar.

Further details and photos in this Airways Magazine article.

Pratt & Whitney GTF Issue Affects Hawaiian Airlines

CH-Aviation reports that a select number of A320neo series aircraft have been grounded by an Emergency Airworthiness Directive put out by the EASA, due to an issue with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G Geared TurboFan power plants. The issue stems from a seal in the High Pressure Compressor in the aft hub, that has led to incidents of in-flight shutdowns or rejected take-offs.

One of the airlines affected is Hawaiian Airlines, with one of their two A321-271Ns, has been taken out of service. Sources report that it is N204HA "‘Ōhia Lehua". Skift.com is also reporting that this engine issue has caused Hawaiian to delay the launch of some of its new A321neo routes. The report also states that Airbus has delayed deliveries of the A320neo series powered by the Pratt & Whitney GTF, and Hawaiian has two in production testing in Europe.

Further information regarding Hawaiian Airlines' summer routes in this press release.

Xiamen Air's B-1369

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1369 (c/n 42954, l/n 6799) today. This 737-85C, their fourth delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8399, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-1370

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1370 (c/n 42955, l/n 6795) today. This 737-85C, their third delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8299, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-1393

Air China is taking delivery of B-1393 (c/n 60902, l/n 6657) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-1371

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1371 (c/n 63687, l/n 6790) today. This 737-85C, their second delivery in six days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8199, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong Airlines' B-1359

Shandong Airlines is taking deliver of B-1359 (c/n 63768, l/n 6787) today. This 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1359, and will overnight at HNL.

Aloha ‘Oe N594HA

Hawaiian Airline is ferrying N594HA "‘Ulili" (c/n 23275, l/n 136) from HNL to MZJ for storage, as the airline has retired this 767-332EM. It's making its farewell flight as HAL9036.

Xiamen Air's B-1355

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1355 (c/n 42953, l/n 6782) today. This 737-85C, their second delivery in seven days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8399, and will overnight at HNL.

Ejército del Aire's T.21-04/35-42

Our February edition "HNL RareBirds Classic" features T.21-04/35-42 (msn EA03-04-005) of the Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force, SPAF) as it made a stop at HNL in September 2005. This CASA C295M is seen above taxiing out from the Century Aviation (now Signature Flight Services) ramp for departure.

T.21-04/35-42 was delivered to the Ejército del Aire in June 2002. As far as we can ascertain, this C295M remains in service.