Mokulele To Use Southern Airways Express Flight Code

Beginning in May, Mokulele Airlines will transition from its own flight identifiers, MW (IATA) and MHO (ICAO), to its parent company, Southern Airways Express' 9X/FDY.

Novictor Helicopters' N808NV Crashes

N808NV (msn 0926), a Robinson R44 helicopter owned by United Helicopter Leasing LLC (Honolulu, HI), and operated by Novictor Helicopters, crashed this morning in Kailua, killing its pilot and two passengers. It was on an helicopter tour that was supposed to fly along O‘ahu's windward side. The cause is yet to be determined. FAA and NTSB investigators are being dispatched to the scene.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out the families of the pilot, and the two passengers.

Continuing coverage in this KHON2 News report.

Southwest Airlines Launches HNL-OGG Service

Southwest Airlines is launching daily 737-800 service between Honolulu and Kahului, with four flights today.

United Airlines' N37267

United Airlines' first new-liveried aircraft, N37267 (c/n 31586, l/n 939, f/n 0267), a 737-824, is making its first appearance at HNL this afternoon. It's making a flight from LAX as UAL1224, and will return to LAX later in the afternoon as UAL1636.

Mokulele Airlines Announces OGG-LNY Service

Southern Airways, Mokulele Airlines' parent company, announced that the latter will begin twice-daily service between Kahului and Lāna‘i City on June 17th.

United Airlines Unveils Modified Livery

United Airlines unveiled its "Next Fleet Paint Design" today at their O'hare International Airport hangar. The airline has kept most of the present Dreamliner / MAX livery. The gold wave, and the gold accents on the globe tail logo have been replaced with shades of blue.

N37267 (c/n 31586, l/n 939, f/n 0267), a 737-824, is the first of the United fleet to wear this new livery.

Images from United Airlines.

Further details in this United Airlines press release.

China Eastern Airlines' B-20A9

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-20A9 (c/n 63089, l/n 7502) today. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will make an overnight stop at HNL.

Makani Kai Air To Serve Princeville

Makani Kai Air announced today that they will begin twice daily service between Honolulu and Princeville, Kaua‘i [HI01] with their Piper PA-31 Chieftain, N135PB.

Further information in this KHON2 News article.

All Nippon Airways' JA381A

All Nippon Airways' A380-841, JA381A "Lani" (msn 262), is making its first test flight from NRT to HNL this morning as ANA9802. It will return to NRT tomorrow.

N767MW

N767MW (c/n 22694, l/n 32), a 767-277, owned by MLW Aviation [Dallas, TX] and operated by Atlas Air, is making a stop at HNL from DAL, as GTI7852.

Kamaka Air's N234PR

Kamaka Air is taking delivery of N234PR (msn 208B2034) tonight. This C208BF Grand Cargomaster is making its delivery flight from VGT to HNL, via SMX. This is Kamaka's fifth Caravan, and the first to wear it's new modified livery, with a new logo on the tail.

Miami Air International's N739MA

Miami Air International's 737-8Q8, N739MA "Ely" (c/n 30670, l/n 1481), is being wet-leased by Fiji Airways. It's making its ferry flight from MIA to NAN, via OAK and HNL as BSK555.

With both of their 737 MAX 8s grounded, as part of the global grounding by Boeing, Fiji Airways is leasing this 737-800 to make up for some service between Fiji and New Zealand.

Southwest Airlines Launches OAK-OGG Service

Southwest Airlines is launching service between OAK [Oakland, CA] and OGG [Kahului, Maui] today complete with pre-boarding festivities at OAK, as SWA5160. N8322X (c/n 36997, l/n 4200, f/n 8322) is making the inaugural flight.

Hawaiian Airlines Launches BOS Service

Hawaiian Airlines' inaugural flight to BOS departed this afternoon for "Bean Town" as HAL90. N382HA "Iwakeli‘i" (msn 1117, f/n 382) is making the first flight, on what is now the airline's longest flight at 11+ hours.

Atlas Air To Upgrade QantasFreight To 747-8Fs

Beginning in late July, Atlas Air will upgauge their QantasFreight ACMI agreement from the 747-400F to the 747-8F. Currently, there are two 747-400Fs assigned to QantasFreight, that uses the QFA flight code, but remains in the Atlas livery. The same is expected to happen with the change to the two 747-8Fs.

UPS Airlines' N681UP

Our April edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 2005, and features UPS Airlines' 747-121SF, N681UP (c/n 19661, l/n 70) seen above taxiing on Taxiway RT.

19661 was originally delivered to Pan American World Airways in August 1970 as N771PA. During its time with Pan Am, it was converted to a freighter (1975), and named "Clipper Donald McKay". In February 1983, it was sold to Flying Tiger Line, re-registered as N819FT. When FedEx Express acquired Flying Tiger in 1989, it was transferred to the former's fleet as N628FE. In May 1991, it was sold to UPS, and re-registered as N681UP, and flew with UPS until November 2007. Sadly, this 747 was scrapped in 2011.