27 May 2021

Fiji Airways' DQ-FAH

Fiji Airways is taking delivery of their second 737-8 in three days, with DQ-FAH "Island of Ovalau" (c/n 64311, l/n 7881). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to NAN (via HNL) as FJI2203, and will make an overnight stop here.

Hawaiian Airlines Ends ‘Ohana by Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines announced this morning that they will end their ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary instead of restarting operations. ‘Ohana's ATR42-500 passenger operations have been suspended since January, and their ATR-72-200F cargo operations have been suspended since November 2020. This will end service to Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i by Hawaiian Airlines.

The aircraft are owned by a company under the Hawaiian Holdings umbrella, and will be ferried to the Empire Airlines (the ATR's operator) base at Couer d'Alene, ID, and will be put up for sale. Sadly, the Sig Zane designed livery will disappear from our airports.

With ‘Ohana's closure, passenger service to JHM, MKK, and LNY will fall upon Mokulele Airlines, and cargo to Kamaka Air.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

25 May 2021

Tigerair Australia's VH-VNK

Tigerair Australia is returning VH-VNK (msn 3986) to its lessor, Avolon. This A320-232 is making its ferry flight from CNS to SBD (via HNL).

3986's History:
Aug 2009: Delivered to Tiger Airways as 9V-TAK, leased from GECAS.
Jan 2010: Transferred to Tiger Airways Australia as VH-VNK, still leased from GECAS.
Jul 2013: Airline rebrands as Tigerair Australia.
Mar 2017: Sold to Avolon, and lease transferred.
Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service.
Jan 2021: Stored at ASP [Alice Springs]

Air New Zealand's ZK-OJF

Air New Zealand is returning ZK-OJF (msn 2153) to its lessor, GA Telesis. This A320-232 is ferrying from CHC to TUS (via RAR, HNL, and LAX) as ANZ6094. As seen above, the Air New Zealand titles and logos were painted over.

ZK-OJF's History:
Feb 2004: Delivered to Air New Zealand under lease from RBS.
Jun 2006: Subleased to Freedom Air International in ANZ colors.
Mar 2008: Returned to Air New Zealand, sold toMCAP, and lease transferred
Early 2009: Painted into the modified ANZ livery.
Jun 2014: Acquired by GA Telesis, and lease transferred.
Early 2015: Painted into the current livery.
Apr 2021: Withdrawn from service.

Fiji Airways' DQ-FAE

Fiji Airways is taking delivery of DQ-FAE "Island of Koro" (c/n 64309, l/n 7668) today. This 737-8, the first TransPacific delivery flight since the groundings, is flying from BFI to NAN (via HNL) as FJI2201.

22 May 2021

Alliance Airlines' N916QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of a second ERJ-190AR this month with N916QQ (msn 1900016). It's being delivered from SJO to BNE (via SDM, HNL, MAJ, and TRW) by Southern Cross as SXI2130. It will become art of the new Alliance/QantasLink tie-up as VH-UYC.

19000016's History:
Dec 2005: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1556CMP.
Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service.
Feb 2021: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services.
May 2021: Delivered to Alliance Airlines as a white tail.

13 May 2021

Southwest Airlines Announces New Hawai‘i Routes

This morning, Southwest Airlines announced new service to Hawai‘i from LAS, LAX, and PHX; and expanded service from SAN. The airline will use both 737-800s and 737-8 on these flights.

Further details in this Southwest Airlines press release.

12 May 2021

Southern Airways To Bring In Beech 1900s

Maui Now reports that Southern Airways Express, sister company to Mokulele Airlines, will begin Beech 1900 service between HNL and MKK and LNY sometime this fall. It's pending governmental approval, but the 19-seat airliner will be able to better serve the communities of Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i.

06 May 2021

Alliance Airlines' N938QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N938QQ (msn 1900038). This ERJ-190AR is making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE (via SDM, HNL, and MAJ) as SXI2126. It will overnight at HNL tonight. Upon delivery, it will be registered as VH-UYF.

19000038's History:
Jun 2006: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1558CMP.
Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service.
Jan 2021: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services for painting into the Alliance livery.
May 2021: Delivering to Alliance Airlines.

05 May 2021

Transair Hawaii's 737-4Q8F Re-registered

SkyLiners reports that Transair Hawaii's 737-4Q8F, N251AU (c/n 25104, l/n 2476), will be re-registered as N388TM. The FAA website shows that the change reserve and authorization was made on 29 April 2021.