N247BE

Boeing is ferrying N247BE (c/n 60939, l/n 8082) from BFI to HSN, via JRF and GUM, for painting and cabin completion at its Boeing China center in Zhoushan, China. This grey tail is going to Air China, and will receive its Chinese registration upon delivery from HSN.

Atlas Air To End Flying For Amazon Prime Air

Atlas Air announced today that their ACMI contract with Amazon Prime Air will not be renewed. The plan is for Atlas to end 767-300ERF and 737-800F service by June 2025. Atlas cites loss of revenue flying for Amazon. Atlas presently has 17 767-300ERFs and eight 737-800Fs under the Amazon Prime Air contract. The 767s will continue under the dry-lease agreement with Atlas Holdings' Titan Leasing for another three years after the initial ten-year lease ends.

Further details in this Lodestar article, and this follow-up article.

When Amazon Prime Air began flights to HNL in April 2018 from ONT, Atlas Air was the airline operating the flights. Service was weekly in the beginning, but has since progressed to daily. Eventually, LIH had flights flown by ATI, and OGG and KOA had their flights by Atlas. 

How will the move by Atlas Air affect the Hawai‘i market?  It probably won't affect Hawai‘i too much until Atlas begins phasing out its service. Currently, Atlas' Amazon Prime Air 767-300ERF flights serve KOA and OGG. GTI3750 flies from ONT to KOA, then as GTI3751 from KOA to OGG, then as GTI9858 from OGG to ONT. If anything, ATI will pick up the OGG and KOA flights.

HNL and LIH are served by Air Transport International's Amazon Prime Air flights.

Amazon Prime Air also has ACMI contracts with ABX Air, Hawaiian Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines.

Delta Air Lines' N513DZ Diversion To HNL

Delat Air Lines' A350-941, N513DZ (msn 277, f/n 3513), made a diversion to HNL from its LAX-SYD route. The flight landed on Runway 8R around 02:55L. Because of duty times, the continuing leg to SYD was canceled, and the A350 towed to the ‘Ewa ramp until the flight can continue.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CGV

Ukraine Air Alliance's An-12BK, UR-CGV (msn 5344610) is making an overnight stop at HNL from SBD as UKL5019, tonight. It will continue onto MAJ tomorrow morning. UKL5019 is routed from LRD to PNH, via SBD, HNL, MAJ, and GUM.

02 June 2024 UPDATE

UR-CGV is returning to LRD as UKL5062.

Sentry Aloha 24-2

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard is hosting Sentry Aloha 24-2. This exercise, that begins today, and runs until mid-June, has units from the host 154th Wing, along with the following units:

F-16s from the 195th FS, Arizona Air National Guard;

F-16s from the 115th FS, Wisconsin Air National Guard;

A-10Cs from the 47th FS, Air Force Reserve Command;

F-35As from the 442nd TES; and 

F-16s from the 119th FS, New Jersey Air National Guard.

There are also various tanker assets participating as well. NGF is hosting a couple of units, as well as KOA.

Interesting factoid, the 47th FS has its roots in Hawai‘i, as it began its service in 1940 as the 47th Pursuit Squadron. It was based at Wheeler Army Air Field, as part of the 15th Pursuit Group. The 47th fighters were able to down eight Japanese Navy aircraft on 07 Dec 1941. The unit was active for World War II in the Pacific Theater, but after the war ended, it was deactivated in 1946. The unit was reactivated as the 47th Fighter Squadron in 1952, and based in Niagara Falls, New York

Kalitta Air's N740CK In-flight Emergency

The Aviation Herald reports that Kalitta Air's N740CK "Doug Kalitta Sr. 1" (c/n 24405 l/n 745) had an in-flight fire in the aft cabin, as it flew from LAX to HNL as CKS368 on 24 May. The fire was extinguished, and the flight continued onto HNL. N740CK was able to re-enter service several hours later.

China To Delay 737MAX Deliveries

CH-Aviation reports that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is delaying any 737MAX series deliveries until the batteries that power the new 25-hour cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) are reviewed. Earlier this month, Congress mandated that the FAA requires CVRs in new-builds must have the new 25-hour CVRs, instead of the current two-hour versions. The EASA has required the use of 25-hour CVRs for the past three years. Currently, there over 60 737-8s for Chinese carriers in testing or in storage.

Cargojet Airways' C-GAJG

Cargojet Airways 767-323ERF, C-GAJG (c/n 25446, l/n 453, f/n 642), is making a pre-dawn, brief fuel stop at HNL from LAX as CJT3191. It's flying from XCR [Vatry Chalons Airport, Paris, France] to NOU, via YHZ, LAX, HNL, and NAN. The XCR-YHZ-LAX segment was flown as CJT3190, LAX-HNL-NAN, flying as CJT3191, and NAN-NOU as CJT3192.

28 May 2024 UPDATE

C-GAJG is returning to its YHM base from NOU, via NAN and HNL. The NOU-NAN-HNL segment is flown as CJT3193, and the HNL-YHM segment as CJT3194.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Jetstar Airways

Jetstar Airways is celebrating its 20th anniversary today. The Qantas Group low-cost subsidiary launched A330-200 service to HNL from SYD in Dec 2006. Nine years later, Jetstar upgraded to the 787-8, and now serves HNL from SYD (JST3/4), and MEL (JST1/2). They also had service between BNE and HNL (JST5/6), but was short-lived.

N919NX

Nexus Aviation Ventures' N919NX (msn 2919) is making its way back to TUS from XMN after it completed its freighter conversion. This A321-231F is making stops at GUM, MAJ, and HNL along the way. N919NX stopped through HNL in August 2023 on its ferry flight to XMN.

Airfast Indonesia's PK-OFM

Airfast Indonesia is taking delivery of their second of two 737-8s, PK-OFM  (c/n 64993, l/n 7100), leased from Mitsui Bussan Aerospace. It's making its delivery flight from MZJ to CGK, via HNL and GUM, as PKOFM.

64993's History

Oct 2018: Delivered to Norwegian Air Shuttle as LN-BKD, "Marco Polo" tail artwork.

Oct 2019: Sold to Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, and leased back; then subleased to Norwegian Air Sweden as SE-RYA.

Jly 2021: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ILD.

Oct 2023: Leased to Airfast Indonesia as PK-OFM, with the temporary registration of T7-OFM, and ferried from ILD to MZJ (via KEF) for storage, by Southern Cross International as SXI2370.

N353FT

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N353FT (c/n 35378, l/n 2346) from CAN to P08, via GUM and JRF. This 737-71B, owned by Fortress Transport (FTAI) is flying as OMD254, and will make a brief late-night fuel stop at JRF. It's the second 737-71B that Nomadic is ferrying through JRF in three days, and like the other 700, this one will be parted out and scrapped by eCube.

35378's History:

Aug 2007: Delivered to China Southern Airlines as B-5250.

Nov 2013: Blended Winglets installed.

May 2022: Sold to CALC, and leased back.

May 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at URC.

Jan 2024: Ferried to CAN for storage.

May 2024: Acquired by Fortress Transport.

HNL's Runway 4L/22R To Close For Repairs

Following the completion of the work done on Runway 4R/22L, that runway is scheduled to re-open on 10 June, and on the same day, Runway 4L/22R will close for the same type of work. Runway 4L/22R is scheduled to re-open on 10 September, weather permitting.

Further information in this HDOT press release.

N324FT

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N324FT (c/n 32934, l/n 1465) from WUH [Tianhe International Airport, Wuhan, China] to P08 [Coolidge Muni Airport, Coolidge, AZ], via GUM and JRF, as OMD244. This 737-71B is being ferried for Fortress Transportation (FTAI), and will be making a short, late-night fuel stop at JRF. N324FT is due to be parted out and scrapped by eCube.

32934's History:

Mar 2004: Delivered to China Southern Airlines as B-5069.

Jan 2014: Blended Winglets installed.

Jan 2022: Sold to CALC, and leased back.

Mar 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at WUH.

May 2024: Acquired by FTAI.

NASA's N926NA

NASA is flying N926NA (msn 63-13503A), their Martin WB-57A Canberra weather research aircraft from EFD [Johnson Space Center / Ellington Airport, Houston TX], via BAB [Beale AFB, Marysville, CA], that will make a stop at HNL, as NASA926, to perform weather test flights this coming week.

63-13503's History:

Originally designated by the US Air Force as 53-3974, and built as an RB-57D, then re-built as an RB-57F.

___ 1965: Assigned to the 6901st Reconnaissance Squadron.

___ 1966: Assigned to the 7407th Support Squadron.

___ 1968: Converted to a WB-57F, and assigned to the 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.

Feb 1994: Decommissioned from the USAF, registered as N357AR for the National Science Foundation.

Feb 2003: Acquired by NASA as N926NA for its High Altitude Research Program.

Qantas Airways' VH-ZNJ

Qantas Airways' VH-ZNJ "Longreach" (c/n 66074, l/n 929) is making its first appearance at HNL today. This 787-9 DreamLiner, wearing the airline's 100th anniversary special livery, is flying as QFA103/104.

19 May 2024 UPDATE

VH-ZNJ is making another appearance today.

LATAM Cargo's N572LA

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N572LA (c/n 41747, l/n 1034) for LATAM Cargo, from CAN to MEX, via JRF, as OMD232. This 767-316ERF, still in the TAM livery, just completed freighter conversion. It will make an overnight stop at JRF tonight.

N572LA stopped through JRF this past January as it ferried by Nomadic for freighter conversion.

Ukraine Air Alliance UR-CAJ

Ukraine Air Alliance's An-12BK UR-CAJ (msn 8346106) made a stop at HNL from MAJ today as UKL5007. It will overnight, before continuing onto LAP [Manuel Marquez de Leon International Airport, La Paz, México] as UKL5001.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IF

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IF "Maroochydore Beach" (c/n 66647, l/n 8919) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB (after cabin configuration) to BNE, via ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. Its stop at KOA will be an overnighter. VH-8IF was ferried from BFI to MLB on 08 May, as VOZ9946.

Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace Flights To New Caledonia

With the riots occurring in the French territory of New Caledonia, the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (French Air and Space Force) is transporting over 1,000 Gendarme (French National Police) officers. A330-200s from 31e Escadre Aérienne de Ravitaillment et de Transport Stratégiques (31st Aerial Refuel and Strategic Transport Wing) have been making flights from France to NOU [La Tounta International Airport, Noumeá, New Caledonia], via YVR and HNL, for the past few days. A400Ms from 61e Escadre de Transport (61st Transport Squadron) are also making flights to Noumeá. Other flights have gone to BNE and WLS [Hihifo Airport, Wallis Island].

Further information in this BBC article.

Hawaiian Airlines Inaugurates Service To SLC

Hawaiian Airlines becomes the second airline with daily service between HNL and SLC. HAL84 launched its first flight to SLC today with its A321-271N, N223HA "Hau" (msn 9060, f/n 223) making the flight. Hawaiian held a pre-boarding event at the gate, complete with Hawaiian music and hula. The return flight, HAL83 will depart SLC tomorrow morning.

Hawaiian Airlines' press release for HAL84.

Hawaiian Airlines Shifts 787-9s To LAX And PHX

Hawaiian Airlines moved its 787-9 service to HAL1/2 [HNL-LAX-HNL] yesterday. The airline launched 787-9 to PHX today, as HAL36/35. N781HA "Kupuahi" made the inaugural flights to both destinations. Both 787-9s are operating the routes.

Hawaiian's service to SFO reverted back to their A330-243s.

Asiana Airlines' HL8360

Asian Airlines' A350-941, HL8360 (msn 234), is making a brief fuel stop at HNL, as it transits between LAX and ICN, as AAR2059. It flew to LAX from ICN yesterday as AAR2069.

TNI Angkatan Udara's A-1342

Lockheed-Martin is delivering the fifth of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules transports for the TNI Angkatan Udara (TNIAU, Indonesian Air Force) today. A-1342 (msn 5964) is making its delivery flight from MGE to HLP, via MRY, HNL, MAJ, and GUM, as LAC5964. It's also wearing a temporary US registration, N51045.

N437YV

N437YV (msn 437), a Dash8-202 owned by Berry Aviation, is making a flight from CCR to HNL today, and is flying as BYA437. It's scheduled to continue onto KWA.

N437YV's History:

Jun 1996: Delivered to Mesa Airlines (f/n 437) to operate for United Express.

Dec 1997: Operated for America West Express.

Sep 2005: Operated for US Airways Express (f/n MDA).

Jan 2011: Acquired by Berry Aviation.

Flair Airlines' C-FLHI

Flair Airlines is ferrying C-FLHI "Bruce" (c/n 61804, l/n 7863, f/n 903) back to YYC from MCY, after the shutdown of sister-airline Bonza Airline in Australia. This 737-8, with a hybrid livery, is making a stop at HNL tonight as FLE903.

C-FLHI's History:

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

Dec 2023: Sub-leased to Bonza Airline, and to be registered as VH-8AV, but retained the Canadian registration.

Mar 2024: Stored at MCY.

Super Air Jetʻs PK-SJC

Indonesia's Super Air Jet is taking delivery of PK-SJC (msn 3497), under lease from Avolon, today. This white-tail A320-232 making its delivery flight from TUS to CGK, via HNL, MAJ, and DJJ [Sentani Airport, Jayapura, Papua].

3497's History:

May 2008: Delivered to IndiGo as VT-INT, under lease from Allco Aviation.

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

Jan 2016: Sold to Avolon, and the lease transferred.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at DEL.

Dec 2020: Returned to Avolon, and registered as OE-IRL.

Jan 2021: Ferried to TUS for storage.

Aloha Air Cargo To End HNL-LAX Service

FreightWaves.com reports that Aloha Air Cargo will end its HNL-LAX 767-300F air cargo service on 01 June 2024. Citing weak demand from a competitive market, the airline will shelve the route. Their 737 inter-island operation will continue.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CGV

Ukraine Air Alliance's An-12BK UR-CGV (msn 6344610) is making a stop at HNL from SBD today as UKL5007. It will make a brief fuel stop before continuing onto MAJ. UKL5007 originated in LRD [Laredo International Airport, Laredo, TX].

N175AN

N175AN (c/n 32394, l/n 992), a 757-223F owned by AerSale, is being ferried from XMN to GYR, via GUM and HNL. It's being ferried by Nomadic Aviation as OMD219. This white-tail 757 completed its freighter conversion at XMN, after being ferried there last May. Its JRF stop tonight will be a brief fuel stop.

QantasLink's VH-NXN

National Jet Systems is having VH-NXN "Freycinet National Park" (c/n 55095, l/n 5087) from CBR to VCV, via APW and HNL. This QantasLink-liveried 717-231, is being ferried by Southern Cross International as SXI2435. The APW-HNL segment is being flown as QFA6070.

55095's History:

Nov 2001: Delivered to Trans World Airlines as N428TW (f/n 2428), under lease from Pembroke.

Dec 2001: Integrated into the American Airlines fleet following the merger.

Apr 2002: Leased to Impulse Airlines, and operated as QantasLink, as VH-VQI.

May 2004: Leased to Jetstar Airways.

Jan 2006: Re-registered as VH-YQI.

Dec 2007: Leased to National Jet Systems as VH-NXN, and named "Freycinet National Park".

Oct 2011: Acquired by BBAM, and the lease transferred.

Mar 2013: Acquired by Falko, and the lease transferred.

Oct 2015: Purchased by National Jet Systems.

___ 2019: Painted in the current livery.

Mar 2024: Withdrawn from service.

N486AY

N486AY (c/n 23486, l/n 1286), a 737-376F owned by the Qantas Group, is ferrying from MEL to BXM [Brunswick Executive Airport, Brunswick, ME], via BNE, MAJ, HNL, and PHX. It arrived at HNL, a bit past midnight, and will depart for PHX later today.

23486's History:

Dec 1986: Delivered to Australian Airlines as VH-TAU "Enterprise".

Oct 1993: Integrated into the Qantas Airways fleet after the merger.

Oct 2002: Transferred to Jetconnect as ZK-JNF.

Sep 2006: Returned to Qantas as VH-XML.

Jun 2007: Converted to a freighter, and assigned to Australian airExpress.

May 2013: Assigned to Express Freighters, and operated under the QantasFreight brand.

Oct 2016: Star Tracks titles applied.

Oct 2018: Repainted in the current livery.

Apr 2024: Re-registered as N486AY, and withdrawn from service.