US-Bangla Airlines' S2-AJA

US-Bangla Airlines is returning S2-AJA (c/n 30039, l/n 701) to its lessor, AerCap. This 737-8Q8 is making its ferry flight from KUL to P08 [Coolidge Muni Airport, Coolidge, AZ], via GUM and HNL. It will go into storage at P08, and will eventually be parted out and scrapped.

30039's History:

Nov 2000: Delivered to Polynesian Airways as 5W-SAM, under lease from ILFC.

May 2003: Leased to Miami International Airlines as N734MA "Billie".

Jun 2012: Leased to TACV-Cabo Verde Airlines as D4-CBX.

May 2014: Acquired by AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Oct 2016: Leased to US-Bangla Airlines as S2-AJA.

Feb 2024: Withdrawn from service, and ferried from DAC to KUL for storage.

Qantas Upgauges QFA103/104 To 787-9

Beginning today, Qantas Airways is upguaging its SYD-HNL round-trip service from the A330-300 to the 787-9. VH-ZNN "Snowy River" (c/n 66078, l/n 1051) made today's flight. This upgrade is seasonal for the summer months.

OAK Seeking To Change Formal Name

Aviation Week reports that the Port of Oakland is seeking to rename the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, with the airport's identifiers remaining unchanged. One of the reasons is to attract more traffic to the airport. OAK has service to Hawai‘i by Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Federal Express. 

Amazon Prime Air's N5441K

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of their third A330-343F to operate for Amazon Prime Air. N5441K (msn 1874) is making its delivery flight from SHA to HNL with its registration as its callsign, and will arrive after midnight. It's still wearing its Hong Kong Air livery, and will be repainted on the US mainland.

1874's History:

Jly 2018: Built, but not taken by Hong Kong Arlines as B-LHH, stored at TLS.

Oct 2022: Acquired by Altavair Air Finance as F-WXAD, and stored at LDE.

Sep 2023: Ferried to SHA for storage, then freighter conversion.

Air China's B-224Z

Air China is taking delivery of their third 737-8 this month, with B-224Z (c/n 60932, l/n 7991). It's making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK today, with stops at HNL and GUM, as CCA80.

Coulson Aviation's N140CG

Coulson Aviation's C-130H, N140CG (msn 382-4337, f/n 133), is making its way from NLK to TRM, via XRH, PPG, and JRF, as CUL133. It's returning to its base after the Australian summer deployment, and will overnight at JRF.

382-4337's History:

___1968: Assigned the USAF serial 68-10955. Delivered to the Royal Norwegian Air Force as 955 "Froy" BW-D.

Oct 2008: Retired from the RNAF, and stored at AMARC.

Aug 2023: Sold to Coulson Aviation as N140CG, and converted to a water bomber.

HL8080

HL8080 (msn 5768), an A319-115ACJ owned by SK Telecom, is making a stop at HNL from ICN this afternoon. SK Telecom took delivery of this ACJ in April 2015.

30 Mar 2024 UPDATE

HL8080 departed for NGO today.

N208EX

N208EX (msn 208B5792) is making its delivery flight from IDP to ADL. This Grand Caravan EX owned by Gateway Air Center is flying it from IDP, with stops at ICT, SOW, MCE, HNL, APW, and AKL.

26 Mar 2024 UPDATE

N208EX departed HNL for APW this morning.

Coulson Aviation's N137CG

Coulson Aviation's firefighting 737-3H4, N137CG "Gaia" (c/n 27700, l/n 2759, f/n 137), is making a brief fuel stop at JRF from PPG today. It's returning from its Australian summer deployment at XRH as CUL137. It will continue to its home base at TRM.

Titan Airways' G-XATW

Titan Airways' Four Seasons Jet Experience-liveried A321-253NX, G-XATW (msn 10150), is making a stop at KOA, as it makes an around-the-world charter flight. It's flying from BFI as AWC443Y. The trip began on the 23rd from LTN. G-XATW is seen above departing BFI for KOA.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CGV

Ukraine Air Alliance's An-12BK, UR-CGV (msn 6344610) is making a brief fuel stop at OGG from SBD as UKL5003, and will continue onto MAJ. The flight originated from LRD [Laredo, TX] and ended at BNE.

30 Mar 2024 UPDATE

UR-CGV is making a brief fuel stop at HNL on its way back from BNE, via MAJ (above photo). It will continue onto SBD, then DFW.

Essential Air Service To LNY Up For Bid

On 08 February 2024, the US Department of Transportation issued a for proposals for Essential Air Service (EAS) to LNY. Mokulele Airlines plans to cancel non-subsidied EAS service to LNY, as it has become unprofitable for them to continue serving LNY, due to rising fuel prices and other costs. Lānaʻi is eligible under federal law to receive government-funded EAS for the size of the airport and the community that it serves. Currently, Mokulele is the only commercial airline to fly scheduled passenger service to the "Pineapple Island".

Mokulele/Southern Airways made it known to the US DOT, that it would need federal subsidies to keep the LNY service sustainable, if not profitable.

Local inter-island charter company, Pacific Air Charters is expressing interest in the LNY EAS, with their Tecnam P2012 Travelers.

Lānaʻi Air has a Cessna C408 SkyCourier for shuttle flights to LNY, but has yet to start service. Much of Lānaʻi Air's service is done via private charter with their Pilatus PC-12/47s.

Massachusetts-based commuter airline, Cape Air, that has a service in Guam, expressed interest in the LNY EAS.

Further information in this Civil Beart article, this Hawaii News Now report from 18 March on Cape Air and report on Pacific Air Charters, and Eddie Dowd's Instagram blooper.

Lucky Air's B-224M

Lucky Air is taking delivery of their first 737-8 this year, with B-224M (c/n 64707, l/n 7660). It's making its delivery flight this afternoon from BFI to KMG, via JRF, GUM and HAK as B224M, and as LKE9541 from HAK to KMG. It will overnight at JRF.

This the first 737-8 delivery for the Hainan Air Group (HNA). The group had 11 737-8 new-builds in storage during the grounding and pandemic. Boeing re-marketed six to United Airlines, and two to GOL. Two remain, one for Hainan Airlines and one for Fuzhou Airlines.

All Nippon Airways' JA983A

All Nippon Airways is taking delivery of JA983A (c/n 66997, l/n 1177) today. This 787-10, their second delivery in three days,  is making its delivery flight from CHS to HND, via LAX and HNL, as ANA9397. It will make an overnight stop at HNL before continuing onto HND.

Virgin Australia's VH-8ID

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8ID "St. Kilda Beach" (c/n 66638, l/n 8863) today. This 737-8 is making its flight from MLB to BNE, via PHX, KOA, and NOU as VOZ9947. It was ferried to MLB from BFI as VOZ9946 to undergo some cabin modifications before delivery. VH-8ID departed MLB for PHX on 18 Mar. It arrived at KOA this afternoon after a two-day break at PHX, and will overnight before continuing onto NOU.

All Nippon Airways' JA981A

All Nippon Airways is taking delivery of JA981A (c/n 66995, l/n 1177), their fourth 787-10 DreamLiner. It's making its delivery flight from CHS to HND, via LAX and HNL, as ANA9399. It will make a brief fuel stop at HNL this afternoon, before continuing onto HND. This is All Nippon Airways' first 787-10 configured for domestic routes with high-density seating.

Air China's B-223Y

Air China is taking delivery of B-223Y (c/n 60940, l/n 8214) today. This 737-8, their third this year, is making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK, via HNL and GUM, as CCA84, and will overnight at HNL tonight.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CAJ

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CAJ (msn 8346106) is back at HNL for a brief fuel stop from SBD tonight. This An-12BK will continue onto MAJ. UR-CAJ was last here on 02 March.

International Air Response's N117TG

International Air Response's C-130A, N117TG (msn 182-3018), is making a stop at HNL tonight, arriving from the Philippines, and is heading back to its base at P08 [Coolidge, AZ]. 

182-3018's History:

___ 1956: Delivered to the US Air Force as 54-1631, and assigned to the 61st TCS.

Aug 1964: Assigned to the 314th TCW.

May 1967: Assigned to the 4442nd CCTW.

Nov 1969: Assigned to the 705th TAS

Nov 1971: Loaned to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force.

Jan 1976: Returned to USAF, and assigned to the 327th TAS.

Jly 1976: Assigned to the 143rd TAS.

Oct 1989: Sold to T&G Aviation as N117TG.

Jun 1992: Converted to a water bomber.

Mar 2000: Withdrawn from service, and stored.

Jun 2002: Acquired by International Air Response.

___ 2010: Converted for marine oil spill response.

Amazon Prime Air's N4649K

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of its second A330-343F, N4649K "Ascend" (msn 1863), this evening. It's making its delivery flight from BFM, via SBD, as HAL9610. It will enter service with Amazon Prime Air, joining N4621K.

1863's History

Mar 2018: Built, but not taken by Hong Kong Airlines as B-LHF, stored at TLS.

Jun 2022: Acquired by Altavair Air Finance as F-WXAB, and stored at LDE.

Feb 2023: Ferried to BFM for storage, then freighter conversion.

Dec 2023: Ferried to AMA for paint to Amazon Prime Air livery.

Mar 2024: Ferried back to BFM.

Conair's C-FFQF

Conair's C-FFQF (msn 4135, t/n 391) is making its wayback to Canada after its firefighting deployment to Australia. This DHC-8-402 Q400-AT is flying from AVV to YXX, via BNE, HIR, MAJ, HNL, and OAK, as FGD391. It will make an overnight stop at HNL.

C-FFQF was here this past November, when it was on its way to Australia.

Allegiant Air's RP-C3275

Cebu Pacific Air is ferrying RP-C3275 (msn 5687) from HYD [Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, India] to IWA [Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, AZ], via MNL, GUM, and HNL, as CEB3275. This A320-214 will join the Allegiant Air fleet as N189NV.

RP-C3275's History:

Jly 2013: Delivered to Cebu Pacific as RP-C3275.

Mar 2015: Painted in the "Get Go" special livery.

May 2017: Repainted in the current livery.

Sep 2023: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to HYD for storage.

15 Mar 2024 UPDATE

RP-C3275 departed this evening for IWA with its registration as its callsign.

Air X Charter's 9H-BIG

Air X Charter's 9H-BIG (msn 374) is stopping at HNL today. This A340-312 is making an around the world charter flight on behalf of Safrans du Monde. The flight is arriving from NLU [Felipe Angeles International Airport, Ciudad de México, México] as AXY839Y. It's scheduled to depart for NAN on the 15th.

374's History:

Dec 2000: Delivered to AOM French Airlines as F-GTUB, with the "Qualifiers Group" titles, under lease from Flightlease.

Oct 2003: Leased to SriLankan Airlines as 4R-ADF.

Feb 2005: Sold to Debis AirFinance, and the lease transferred.

Oct 2005: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Sep 2008: Sold to Veling, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2016: Withdrawn from service.

Jly 2016: Sold to European Aviation, and leased to Air X Charter as M-VVIP; Re-registered as 9H-BIG Sep 2016: Sold to Avmax Group, and the lease transferred. Re-registered as 9H-BIG two months later.

Feb 2023: Wore decals for the Def Leppard / Motley Crüe World Tour for one month.

15 Mar 2024 UPDATE

9H-BIG will continue its around the world charter to NAN as AXY875V.

Donghai Airlines' B-224C

Donghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-224C (61292, l/n 8239) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SZX, via HNL and GUM as EPA168, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-224Y

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-224Y (c/n 61155, l/n 8208) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SZX, via HNL and GUM, as CSZ224Y, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-224X

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-224X (c/n 64683, l/n 8205) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to XMN, via HNL and GUM, as CXA800, and will overnight at HNL.

Project Orbis' N330AU

N330AU (c/n 46800, l/n 96), the Project Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, is making a stop at HNL from HKG (via GUM) as ORBIS1. This MD-10-30F was at XSP from 30 November 2023 to 01 February 2024, then to CRK until 19 February, when it flew to HKG.

46800's History:

Apr 1973: Delivered to Trans International Airlines as N101TV (f/n 101).

Oct 1979: Airline rebrands as Transamerica Airlines, and leased to Nigeria Airways for one month.

Mar 1981: Leased to Air Florida for two years.

Apr 1984: Sold to Federal Express as N301FE "Tara Lynn" (f/n 301), and converted to a freighter.

Jun 1994: Airline rebrands as FedEx Express.

___ 2006: Renamed "Brann", and re-designated as an MD-10-30F.

Apr 2011: Sold to Project Orbis as N330AU.

May 2012: Ferried to VCV for storage, then interior converted for a flying eye hospital.

"Kapuahi" Begins Training Flights

Hawaiian Airlines begins training flights for N781HA "Kapuahi" today. Their 787-9 is flying to KOA as HAL9020, and will do short flights in and out of KOA for the day as HAL996x.

23:00 UPDATE

N781HA returned to HNL as HAL9021.

05 Mar 2024 UPDATE

N781HA departed for OGG as HAL9152 to do training flights today, it will return to HNL as HAL9153.

06 Mar 2024 UPDATE

N781HA departed for ITO as HAL9156 this morning.

07 Mar 2024 UPDATE

N781HA made its first TransPacific training flight to SFO as HAL9052.

08 Mar 2024 UPDATE

"Kapuahi" flew down to LAX as HAL9054.

09 Mar 2024 UPDATE

"Kapuahi" returns home as HAL9055.

MYAirline's VP-CAU

VP-CAU (msn 3449), a former MYAirline A320-214, is being ferried from CGK to YHM, via GUM, HNL and SDM, as its being returned to SMBC Aviation (who acquired Goshawk Aviation). This was the former TF-GAD, that stopped over at HNL in September 2023, on its delivery flight for MYAirline. This A320, re-registered as 9M-DAN, never entered service, as the airline suspended operations a few weeks after its arrival at KUL. It was ferried to CGK for storage, and had been sitting there since the suspension.

N187JB

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N187JB (msn 19000009) today. This ERJ-190AR is being flown from MCN to ROK via OAK, HNL, MAJ and BNE, by Southern Cross International as SXI2419. The jetBlue titles have been painted over, though the majority of the tail livery is visible.

19000009's History

Nov 2005: Delivered to jetBlue as N187JB "Dream Come Blue" (f/n 187) with the "Bubbles" tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Oct 2013: Tail livery repainted with the "Blueberries" design, and renamed "Bluesmobile" a month later.

Nov 2016: Renamed "Blue-yah".

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

Oct 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MCN.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CAJ

UR-CAJ (msn 8346106), an An-12BK from Ukraine Air Alliance made a brief fuel stop at HNL this afternoon. It's flying from AKL to SBD, via NAN, MAJ, and HNL, as UKL5025.

Nauru Airlines Cleared For HNL Service

CH-Aviation reports that the governments of Nauru and the Marshall Islands have reached an agreement that would allow Nauru Airlines to serve HNL from INU [Nauru International Airport, Yaren, Nauru] via MAJ. Nauru Airlines already obtained approval from the US DOT for scheduled service to GUM and charter service to HNL, but need an intermediary stop for HNL. No timeline has been set for the INU-MAJ-HNL service, except that it is the early stages of planning.

Nauru Airlines has a 737-79L, VH-INU (c/n 34538, l/n 1853), and a 737-83N, VH-AN2 (c/n 30660, l/n 1330) that would be able to make the flights.

Air China's B-223X

Air China is taking delivery of B-223X (c/n 60934, l/n 8197) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK, via HNL and GUM, as CCA80, and will overnight at HNL.