Weather Causes Delays And Groundstops

With the winter storm hitting the Hawaiian Islands, inbound flights to HNL were diverted to OGG an KOA, and at some points in the worst part of the storm cells, all of Hawaii's airports issued ground stops to ride out the heavy rain and winds. Some arriving flights to HNL had to circle to wait out the weather before landing on Runway 26L.

Condolences To The Accident at DCA

The HNL RareBirds™ team expresses our condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the 67 lives lost in the mid-air collision between the US Army UH-60 Blackhawk flying as PAT25, and the American Eagle (PSA Airlines) CRJ-700 flying as AAL5342, last night over the Potomac River outside DCA. We are sorry for your loss.

All Nippon Airways' JA985A

All Nippon Airways is taking delivery of JA985A (c/n 66999, l/n 1219). This 787-10 is making its delivery flight from CHS to HND, via LAX and HNL, as ANA9397. It departed CHS yesterday for LAX, and it's making its LAX-HNL leg today.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVH

For the second consecutive day, Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of a 737-8. 9M-MVH (c/n 66376, l/n 9033) is making its delivery flight this afternoon from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM, as MAS5043. It will make overnight stop at HNL tonight. This is also Malaysia Airlines' third 737-8 delivery this month.

US Air Force's 21-9045

The US Air Force's newest E-11B, 21-9045 (msn 60045), is making a stop at HIK from WRB, flying as BACN05. This military version of a Bombardier Global 6500, was modified by Northrop Grumman to become a Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft. This E-11B assigned to the 430th Expeditionary Electronics Communications Squadron, based at Warner-Robbins AFB, GA.

29 January 2025 UPDATE

21-9045 departed west-bound today.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVI

Today, Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-8 this month. 9M-MVI (c/n 66375, l/n 9035) is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM, as MAS5041. Today's stop at HNL will be an overnighter.

Sentry Aloha 25-1

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron / 154th Wing is hosting its annual Sentry Aloha exercise that begins today, and runs through 12 February 2025. Six F-35Cs from the US Navy's VX-9, and KC-135Rs from the Washington ANG (116th ARS / 141st ARW) and Mississippi ANG (153rd ARS / 186th ARW) will be joining them in the exercise.

Further information in this Hawai‘i DoD press release. The official start date says 29 January, but the fighter aircraft have already been flying.

In a related note, the F-35C detachment to VX-9 based at Edwards AFB, CA, will be relocated to NAS Point Mugu, CA, and re-designated as VX-4.

N757CJ

Elan Express' 757-23A, N757CJ (c/n 24923, l/n 332), is making a brief fuel stop at HNL as it transits from YYZ to MEL, via HNL and NAN. This VIP-configured 757, flying as ELX25, is owned by Cargojet Airways (Canada), and operated for hip-hop artist Drake.

24923's History:

May 1991: Delivered to AWAS, then sold to Freeport McMoran as N680EM, and re-registered as N680FM three months later.

Apr 1997: Acquired by Vulcan Northwest Flight Operations, and re-registered as N756AF four months later.

Aug 2007: Acquired by Google as N1757.

Jly 2014: Acquired by Jet Development Inc as VQ-BTF.

Dec 2018: Sold to Cargojet Airways for use by Drake, and to be operated by Elan Express as N757CJ.

Eastern Airlines' N825KW

Eastern Airlines' 777-212ER, N825KW (c/n 32318, l/n 441), is making a stop at HNL from LSV [Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV] as EAL9074.

32318's History:

Jun 2003: Delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-SRN.

Jun 2008: Sold to Pembroke, and leased back.

Mar 2015: Withdrawn from service.

Jun 2015: Ferried to VCV for storage, and re-registered as EI-FLE.

Jly 2017: Leased to FlyGlobal as 9M-FGB.

Sep 2018: Withdrawn from service, and stored at KUL.

May 2020: Ferried to MZJ for storage.

Apr 2021: Acquired by Jet Midwest as N825KW.

Aug 2021: Transferred to Alta Airlines Holdings.

May 2023: Leased to Eastern Airlines.

24 January 2025 UPDATE

N825KW departed for KOA as EAL3043, and returned to HNL as  EAL9044. It made a second flight to KOA as EAL3044.

25 January 2025 UPDATE

N825KW returned to HNL as EAL9045, and flew to KOA as EAL3045.

N839BA

Boeing Executive Flight Operations' 737-77Z BBJ, N839BA (c/n 62699, l/n 5749), is making a stop at HNL from AKL. This BBJ, operated by Red Barn Operations, is flying as RDN628.

24 January 2025 UPDATE

N839BA departed for PGD [Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda, FL].

Xiamen Air's B-20E1

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-20E1 (c/n 64679, l/n 7867) this morning. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to XMN, via HNL and GUM, as CXA800. It will overnight at HNL tonight.

Kahului Airport's New Waiting Area

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation-Airports (HDOT-A) dedicated its new passenger waiting areas at OGG today. The walkway between gates on the north end of OGG are now enclosed, with a "garden deck" overlooking the cargo area and a view of the Kahului/Wailuku area.

Further details and photo links in this HDOT-A press release.

HDOT To Tender Inter-Island Charter Service

In response to the recent maintenance stand-down and suspension of service by Mokulele Airlines, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has issued a tender for inter-island charter service for the five smaller Hawai‘i airports: MKK, LUP, JHM, HNM, and MUE. Mokulele Airlines is the sole passenger air carrier to serve these five airports.

Kamaka Air Charters filled the void with numerous flights to MKK during Mokulele's suspension. Pacific Air Charters has yet to begin scheduled service to the smaller airports, but has been flying charters.

Mokulele holds a government-subsidized Essential Air Service contract to these airports, and has drawn the ire of Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, whose Congressional district is where the five airports are located.

Further details in this CH-Aviation.com article.

Air China's B-20DQ

Air China is taking delivery of their second 737-8 in four days today. B-20DQ (c/n 60924, l/n 7865) is making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK, via HNL and GUM, as CCA80. It will make on overnight stop at HNL tonight.

N851EB

N851EB (msn 851), a PC-12/47 owned by Bridger Aerospace, is making a stop at HNL from BZN, via MMV and ACV [California Redwood Humboldt County Airport, Arcata/Eureka, CA]. This PC-12 works as part of an aerial firefighting operation.

851's History:

Nov 2007: Delivered to Cobalt Air as N851AF.

May 2019: Acquired by Cush Air, re-registered as N851EB, and operated by Jet Methods.

Sep 2021: Acquired by Elements Aviation Services.

Nov 2022: Transferred to Bridger Aerospace.

22 January 2025 UPDATE

N851EB flew up to LIH for a flights, then returned to HNL. It will fly between HNL and other Hawai‘i airports during its stay here.

QantasLink's C-GENM

Sunstate Airlines is taking delivery of C-GENM (msn 4456). This QantasLink-liveried Dash8-402Q is making its delivery flight from YAM to BNE, via YYJ, HNL, MAJ, and ___. It's making an overnight stop at HNL tonight. This Q400 will be registered as VH-84B "Winton" in Australia.

4456's History:

Nov 2013: Delivered to WestJet Encore as C-GENM (f/n 407).

Nov 2024: Sold to JD Aero to prep for Sunstate Airlines at YAM.

Shandong Airlines' B-223V

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-223V (c/n 61460, l/n 8189) this afternoon. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to JNA, via HNL and GUM, as CDG9005. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

LX-TCB

Global Jet Luxembourg's A319-153N ACJ, LX-TCB (msn 10897), is making a fuel stop at HNL from SYD, and is continuing onto EWR, flying as SVW97CB.

10897's History:

Jly 2022: Delivered to Jet Aviation Flight Services (Malta) as 9H-NTA, and stored at BSL.

Mar 2023: Acquired by Global Jet Luxembourg, and registered as LX-TCB.

Air China's B-20E3

Air China is taking delivery of their first 737-8 of 2025. B-20E3 (c/n 60928, l/n 7944) is making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK, via HNL and GUM, as CCA80. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Mokulele Airlines Suspends Operations

Mokulele Airlines suspended operations today due to a maintenance and inspection stand-down. No date was given as to when the airline will resume operations.

To assist with the some of the stranded Mokulele passengers, Kamaka Air Charter's N828DC stepped in to perform flights between HNL and MKK and LUP.

Further details in this Hawaii News Now report.

17 January 2025 UPDATE

Mokulele Airlines announced today that they will resume service on Sunday, 19 January. In a KHON2 News report today, there were questions as to why the airline operates only the Cessna Caravan, and not multiple types. What the report fails to mention is that Mokulele/Southern ferried off the Saab SF340Bs and two of the three Tecnam P2012 Travelers brought from Guam, late last year.

China Eastern Airlines' B-20CC

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-20CC (c/n 61645, l/n 7645) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SHA, via HNL and GUM, as CES299. It will make overnight stop here tonight. B-20CC was originally ordered for Shanghai Airlines, and made its first flight in August 2019, was in storage during the 737MAX and pandemic groundings.

Winds Cause Two Bizjets To Collide At OGG

Hawaii News Now reports that recent high winds caused a Dassault Falcon 8X to collide with a Bombardier Global 7500 on the OGG FBO ramp, across from the main terminal. 

HDOT-A announced that there were no commercial service affected by this collision.

After scouring OpenADSB, we were unable to find the two aircraft involved. If anyone knows, please email us the info.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVG

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVG (c/n 66442, l/n 9023) is the first 737 delivery flight to stop in Hawai‘i in 2025. This 737-8 is flying from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM, as MAS5041, and will overnight here tonight.

NOAA's N49RF

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's G-IV SP, N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246), is making its winter training flight sessions out of HNL. Flying as NOAA49, this G-IV SP, arrived from LAL, via SDL, today.

QantasLink's VH-8NV

Network Aviation is taking delivery of VH-8NV "Lancelin Islands" (msn 2679). This QantasLink-liveried A319-132 is being delivered by Southern Cross International from BQN to PER, via PHX, KOA, APW, and BNE, as SXI2501. It will overnight at KOA tonight.

2679's History:

Feb 2006: Delivered to Spirit Airlines as N514NK "Spirit of Cayman Islands" (f/n 514), under lease from ILFC.

May 2014: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Jun 2018: Purchased by Spirit Airlines, and painted in the current livery.

___ 2020: Fleet number redesigned as 1514.

Dec 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at P08.

Jan 2024: Acquired by Gryphon Aviation Leasing.

Jun 2024: Ferried to BQN to prep for Network Aviation.

HNL's Runway 4R/22L To Reopen

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports announced today that HNL's Runway 4R/22L will reopen on 23 January 2025 at 18:00HAST following its runway and shoulder rehabilitation. Runway 4L/22R will then close for 41 days for more work to be done.

24 January 2025 UPDATE

Runway 4R/22L remains closed due to weather delays. No new reopening date has been set.

204th AS's 05-5152 Transports Burn Victims

A C-17A Globemaster III from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 204th Airlift Squadron "Nā Pueo", transported six burn victims from the New Year's fireworks explosion that occurred in nearby ʻAliamanu, that also took three lives. The six, are being flown to Phoenix, AZ for further treatment for the burns they suffered in the explosion. 05-5152 "Spirit of Go For Broke" (c/n 50160, l/n F159) transported the victims from HIK to PHX as E55152. This C-17A was configured as a medevac transport, and took the six that could withstand the flight.

Further details in this KHON2 News report.

Amazon Prime Air's N5879K

Hawaiian Air is taking delivery of N5879K "Sky Voyager" (msn 1226) today. This Amazon Prime Air A330-343F is making its delivery flight from CAN to HNl, via NRT as HAL9628.

1226's History:

Jun 2011: Delivered to Etihad as A6-AFE.

Sep 2018: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TEV.

Feb 2021: Acquired by Altavair Finance as F-WTBD.

May 2024: Ferried to CAN for freighter conversion as N5879K.

NASA's N95NA

The National Aeronautic and Space Administration's G-V, N95NA (msn 672), is making a stop at HNL from EDF [Houston Ellington Airport, Houston, TX] this afternoon as NASA5.

672's History:

Sep 2002: Delivered to Transworld Oil as VP-BJD.

Nov 2005: Sold to Nike, Inc. as N225GV.

Jan 2006: Re-registered as N3456.

Oct 2016: Acquired by NASA as N95NA.

03 January 2025 UPDATE

N95NA departed today for BNE.

RNZAF Seeks 757 Replacement

CH-Aviation.com reports that the New Zealand Ministry of Defence has tendered a request for proposal to replace its two Royal New Zealand Air Force 757-2K2Cs, NZ7571 (c/n 26633, l/n 519) and NZ7572 (c/n 26634, l/n 545), as they both are over 31 years old. The RNZAF is looking at the 737-8 or the A321-200N, with available, off-the-shelf models.

Both RNZAF 757s are frequent visitors to HNL, and can be seen parked around the south ramp during their visits.

Hawaiian Airlines' N581HA

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Hawaiian Airlines' 767-33AER "Manu O Ku" (c/n 28141, l/n 853, f/n 581), seen on its take off roll on Runway 22L in 2005.

28141's History:

Oct 2001: Delivered to Hawaiian Airlines as N581HA "Manu O Ku", under lease from AWAS.

Dec 2006: Purchased by Hawaiian Airlines.

___ 2009: Blended Winglets installed.

Apr 2017: Sold to FTAI, and leased back.

May 2019: Leased to Azur Air as VQ-BEO.

Dec 2022: Returned to FTAI, sold to UMB Bank, and registered as N567NC.

Feb 2023: Acquired by Northern Air Cargo (f/n 567).

Nov 2023: Ferried to QPG for freighter conversion.

Apr 2024: Ferried to ROW for storage in Strat Air livery.

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

 The HNL RareBirds™ team wishes a blessed and prosperous 2025 for you all!