Hawaiian Airlines' N494HA Ground Accident At OGG

A Hawaiian Airlines 717-200 was involved in an accident with ground equipment at OGG. N494HA "Koa‘e Kea" (c/n 55182, l/n 5138, f/n 494) was scheduled to fly as HAL105 [OGG-HNL], when it began taxiing before all of the ground equipment was cleared. This 717-2BL struck a tug, that injured the driver, as well as another vehicle that impacted the leading edge of the left wing.

The accident is under investigation with the FAA.

Hawaiian Airlines To Add Three New Routes

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they will launch three new routes to the west coast utilizing their A321-271N fleet. The first new route is between HNL and SLC (HAL84/83), that will be daily service beginning on 15 May 2024. The other two new routes will be to SMF, four-times weekly from LIH (HAL66/65) launching on 24 May 2024; and thrice-weekly from KOA (HAL74/73) launching on 25 May 2024.

With the new SLC route,  Hawaiian will be competing with Delta's daily 767-300ER service. While on the two new flights to SMF, currently Hawaiian will have no competition from either LIH nor KOA.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Royal Air Force's ZZ178

A Royal Air Force C-17A, ZZ178 (c/n 50246-UK.8 , l/n F-245), is making a stop at HIK from BZZ (via YYC) as RRR6646. This Globemaster III, assigned to No. 99 Squadron, is headed for the South Pacific. It was given a US Air Force registration of 12-0208 before it was delivered brand new to the RAF.

N395AG

Aviation Capital Group is ferrying N395AG (c/n 39055, l/n 4042) from YNY to VCV, via GUM and OGG. This 737-8AL is making an overnight stop at OGG today.

39055's History:

Feb 2013: Delivered to Jet Airways as VT-JFF, under lease from BOC.

Feb 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored HYD for seven months.

Apr 2019: Sold to Aviation Capital Group as VP-CGA, then re-registered as 2-AGCA.

Nov 2019: Ferried to MPL for storage, for 11 months.

Jan 2020: Re-registed as VP-CGA.

Oct 2020: Ferried to GYR for storage.

Jly 2022: Leased to Fly Gangwon as HL8518.

May 2023: Withdrawn from service as the airline ceased operations, and stored at YNY.

NASA's N522NA

NASA's Gulfstream IV, N522NA (msn 1199), is making a stop at JRF from LFI (via MRY), as it heads to CHC. It will overnight then continue onto PPG, then CHC.

03 Dec 2023 UPDATE

N522NA returns from PPG this evening, and will depart for TUS the next morning.

Conair's C-FFQF

Conair Aerial Firefighting's Q400, C-FFQF (msn 4315, f/n 391), is making its trip down to Australia from its base at YYX. Flying as FGD391, it's making stops at OAK, HNL, MAJ, and HIR.

4315's History:

Jly 2010: Delivered to HM-Heli Malongo Airways as D2-EUP, under lease from Aviatrade Belgium.

Aug 2019: Acquired by Conair Aerial Firefighting, converted to a water bomber, and assigned as 540.

Honolulu Fire Department Selects The Bell 429

Hawaii Public Radio reports that the Honolulu Fire Department has selected the Bell 429 Global Ranger as the helicopter type to eventually replace their aging MD520Ns. The twin-engine Global Ranger can carry more water for aerial firefighting, as well as more on board. HFD felt that it was more cost-effective to purchase a new helicopter, as opposed to trying to maintain the MD520Ns.

Coulson Fireliner's N137CG

Coulson Fireliners is ferrying N137CG "Gaia" (c/n 27700, l/n 2759, f/n 137) from TRM to Australia, via SMX, ITO, and PPG, as CUL137. This 737-3H4 water bomber is headed Down Under for their summer firefighting mission.

N1274T

Gateway Air Center is delivering N1274T (msn 208B5773) from IDP to OOL, via PWA, SOW, MCE, HNL, and APW. This Cessna C208B Grand Caravan EX was purchased by Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty (Australia).

Colorado State Rams Team Charter

The Colorado State Rams football team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-200ER for their road trip to Honolulu to play the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday evening. N234AX (c/n 30436, l/n 833), a 767-224ER, is flying the Rams as OAE675 from DEN.

The team will return to DEN following the game. N234AX is expected to stay, and take the team home.

N179JB

Southern Cross International is ferrying the next former jetBlue Airways ERJ-190AR for Alliance Airlines. N179JB (msn 19000006) is being ferried from MCN to XSP, via OAK, ITO, MAJ, GUM, and BKI, for reconfiguration, and repaint. It's making an overnight stop at ITO tonight.

N179JB's History

Sep 2005: Delivered to jetBlue as N179JB "Come Fly With Blue" (f/n 179) with the "Stripes" tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Oct 2013: Tail livery repainted in the "Blueberries" design.

Oct 2019: Tail livery repainted in the "Highrise" design.

Nov 2021: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Aug 2023: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to MCN for prep to Alliance.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IB

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IB "Bronte Beach" (c/n 65047, l/n 8724) today. Flying as VOZ9947, This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, via ONT, OGG and NOU. It will make an overnight stop at OGG tonight.

VH-8IB was ferried to MLB from BFI on 09 Nov 2023 for additional work on the aircraft.

Federal Express' N886FD

Federal Express' latest "Panda Express" special-liveried cargo jet is making a stop at HNL today. N886FD "Amara" (c/n 41065, l/n 1041, f/n 886), a 777-FS2, had panda decals applied to both sides of the forward section earlier this month, as pandas were flown between IAD and CTU. N886FD arrived from MEM this morning as FDX1413, and is scheduled to fly to OAK as FDX1800 later this afternoon.

22 Nov 2023 UPDATE

N886FD arrived today from OAK as FDX77, and will continue onto SYD as FDX77.

US Navy's 169561 Runway Excursion At NGF

A US Navy P-8A Poseidon overran the runway at Marine Corps Air Field Kāneʻohe Bay. 169561 (c/n 66094, l/n 8026), assigned to VP-4 "Skinny Dragons", was attempting to land on NGF's Runway 22 in rain and winds, when the runway excursion occurred. The P-8A ended up in Kāneʻohe Bay, just off the departure end of Runway 22, and all nine crew members aboard were able to egress safely.

The VP-4, based at NAS Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, WA, has a rotating detachment of P-8As assigned to NGF.

The US Navy, and other government agencies are investigating the accident.

Continuing Hawaii News Now coverage.

The above photo was taken in June 2022.

03 Dec 2023 UPDATE

The US Navy floated 169561 out of Kāneʻohe Bay, and is now on land at Marine Corps Air Field Kāneʻohe Bay, awaiting evaluation and repairs to fly it back to the mainland for major repairs.

Hawaii News Now coverage.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVA

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their first 737-8, 9M-MVA (c/n 66439, l/n 8685) today. It's making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM as MAS5041.

Alaska Airlines' N565AS

Alaska Airlines' latest Disney logo jet, N565AS (c/n 35181, l/n 2134, f/n 565) is making its first appearance in Hawai‘i today. This Disney Resorts Toontown liveried 737-890 is flying from San to KOA as ASA899, and will continue onto SEA as ASA822.

25 Nov 2023 UPDATE

N565AS is making an appearance at LIH with ASA875 from SEA, and will return to SEA as ASA840.

Hawaiian Raptors Pregame Flyover

Four F-22A Raptors from the 199th FS /19th FS flew a four-ship flyover at the end of the "Star-Spangled Banner" before this evening's game  between the Air Force Academy Falcons and the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors.

Photos from the Hawaiian Raptors Instagram post, and the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's Instagram post.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau! Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 94th anniversary today.

Air Force Academy Falcon's Team Charter

The US Air Force Academy Falcons football team is chartering a Sun Country Airlines 737-800 for their road trip to play the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N821SY (c/n 39952, l/n 5217, f/n 821) is flying the Falcons from COS to HNL, via OAK, as SCX8607.

The team will return to COS following Saturday's game with the same flight code.

N821SY also flew in the San José State Spartans two weeks ago.

QantasLink's VH-NXD

Southern Cross International is ferrying VH-NXD "Berowa Valley National Park" (c/n 55062, l/n 5031)  from CBR to VCV, via APW and HNL, as SXI2366. This 717-23S, owned by National Jet Systems, and operated for QantasLink, is being retired. The APW-HNL leg is was flown as QFA6070. This is the first former QantasLink 717 to ferry through HNL, as the nine other before them were ferried through ANC.

55062's History:

Aug 2000: Delivered to Impulse Airlines as VH-AFR, under lease from Pembroke.

May 2001: Began flying for QantasLink.

May 2004: Transferred to the Jetstar Airlines fleet as VH-VQD.

Oct 2005: Sold to Allco Aviation and leased to National Jet Systems as VH-NXD, to operate for QantasLink.

Nov 2011: Sold to HKAC, and the lease transferred.

Nov 2015: Purchased by National Jet Systems.

Jan 2019: Painted in the "Silver Roo" current livery.

Jun 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at CBR.

Bonza's C-FLKC

Bonza Airline is wet-leasing C-FLKC (c/n 61807, l/n 7802, f/n 906) from Flair Airlines, and is wearing a hybrid livery. This 737-8 is making its ferry flight from YYC to OOL, with brief fuel stops at HNL and NAN, as FLE906.

In August, CH-Aviation reported that the two carriers will have a seasonal reciprocating wet-lease program in place, where one airline will send aircraft to the other during slow periods. Both Bonza and Flair have 777 Partners as major financial partners.

C-FLKC's History:

Jun 2021: Delivered to Flair Airlines, under lease from BOC.

Nov 2023: Subleased to Bonza Airline.

Eastern Air Express' N737AT

Eastern Air Express is now operating Hillwood Airways' 737-7HJC BBJ, N737AT (c/n 36756, l/n 2405). It made a stop at HNL from RIC, via SJC as HWA1301 on 28-29 October. It departed for LIH today with the same flight code. CH-Aviation reports that Hillwood began using the Eastern name this month, following the completed acquisition by the latter, but still using the Hillwood flight codes.

05 Nov 2023 UPDATE

N737AT departed for RIC, via ONT as HWA1301.