N806EX

N806EX (msn 263), a white-tail Dash8-102, owned by the Avmax group, is ferrying from YYC to BNE. It's made stops at GTF, CCR, and HNL. It's scheduled to continue to go onto MAJ.

N806EX's History:

May 1991: Delivered to Pennsylvania Airlines, and operated for US Air Express.

May 1992: Acquired by Allegheny Commuter Express, continued to fly for US Air Express.

Jay 2004: Acquired by Piedmont Airlines, to fly for US Airways Express.

Dec 2013: Operating for American Eagle.

Nov 2017: Withdrawn from service, and stored at GTF a month later.

Jan 2018: Acquired by Avmax Group, remained in storage until Mar 2021.

Jun 2021: Leased to Skytrans Airlines as VH-QQC.

Island Air's N810WP

Our July edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 2005, and Island Air's Dash8-103, N810WP (msn 363), pictured on their ramp.

363 was originally delivered to Mesaba Airlines [XJ/MES, USA] in July 1993 as N864MA, and operated for Northwest Airlink. In June 1998, it was sold to Southern Winds [A4/SWD, Argentina] as LV-YTA "Pablo G Diamante". Bombardier acquired this Dash8-102 in 2003, and converted to a Dash8-103 in January 2005. It was delivered to Island Air later that month as N810WP, and flew with the inter-island carrier for three years. It was then sold to United Airways [4H/ UBD, Bangladesh] as S2-AES in March 2008, where it currently flies.

C-GRGK

C-GRGK (msn 522), a Dash8-202Q, is ferrying from GTF to POM, with stops at CCR, HNL, and MAJ.

522 was originally delivered to UNI Airways in April 1999 as B-17201. It was sold to Regional 1 Airlines in April 2009 as C-GRGK.

C-FRXH

Air Kiribati is taking delivery of a Dash8-100 C-FRXH (msn 388), under lease from Avmax Aircraft Leasing [Calgary, AB]. It's flying from YYC to TRW [Tarawa] via, GTF [Great Falls, MT], CCR [Concord, CA], and HNL.

VH-QQL

VH-QQL (msn 388), a former Maroomba Airlines Dash8-102A, is making a ferry flight from PER to YYC (via CNS, MAJ, and HNL).

388 was originally delivered to Allegheny Commuter Airlines [ALO] (operated for US Airways Express) in October 1994 as N825EX (f/n EST), under lease from FSBU. It was acquired by Piedmont Airlines [EN/PDT], after the airline merged with Allegheny in July 2004, and purchased the lease. In August 2010, it sold to Skytrains Airlines [NP/SKP] (Australia) as VH-QQL. In August 2014, it was sold to Maroomba Airlines [KN] (Australia), and kept the same registration. It is being acquired by the Avmax Group.

C-GYDH

A former Air Niugini Dash8-102, C-GYDH (msn 153), is making its way from POM to YYC (via MAJ and HNL). It made an overnight fuel stop at HNL, and left early this morning. This Dash8 was previously registered as P2-ANL.

153 was originally purchased by Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA), and leased to Hamburg Airlines in June 1989, as D-BOBO. It then went to Trans Travel Airlines in February 1998, then five months later to Cirrus Airlines (Team Lufthansa). Cirrus later changed D-BOBO's livery to its own identity in 2005. Air Niugini took delivery of 153, as P2-ANL, in April 2008. The Avmax Group purchased this Dash8 on November 19, 2013.

Aloha ‘Oe Holomua

Island Air is ferrying N805WP "Holomua" (msn 353) to VBW to its new home. Like N829EX, it will first stop at FAT, before continuing across the country.

Aloha ‘Oe Kūmakani

Island Air has bid a fond farewell to N829EX "Kūmakani" (msn 146) today, as itʻs being ferried to the mainland. N829EX is flying to FAT today.


*** 09.07.13 Update ***
"Kūmakani" is being flown to VBW (Bridgewater Air Park, Bridgewater, VA) via IDP and IDX.

VH-QQJ

A former Skytrans Airlines [NP/SKP] (Australia) Dash8-102A, VH-QQJ (msn 392), is making its ferry flight from Australia to the US mainland, and has stopped off at HNL. The flight originated from CNS (Cairns International Airport, Cairns, Queensland, Australia) on June 26th, and made its first stop at MAJ.

392 was originally delivered to Allegheny Commuter Airlines in December 1994 as N828EX (f/n ESW), that was operating for US Airways Express. It was then transferred to Piedmont Airlines in July 2004, when Piedmont merged with Allegheny Commuter. In January 2010, Skytrans took delivery of 392 as VH-QQJ.

This Dash8-102A was once sister ships with Island Air's N829EX, which was recently withdrawn from service.

Island Air Says Aloha ‘Oe To JHM

Island Air bid farewell to JHM today. MKU514 made the last in-bound flight that arrived at 1633HST, and MKU515 departed JHM at 1712HST. As the Dash8 fleet is being replaced by their new ATR72s, and with no ATR42s on the horizon, the airline decided to close their Kapalua Airport Station, and will concentrate their Maui operations at OGG.

VH-QQE

An Ex-Skytrans Regional DHC-8-102 is seen above after arriving from Carins International (YBCS/CNS) Australia, via Marshall Island International (PKMJ/MAJ), Majuro. VH-QQE (c/n 173) was previously wet-leased to Maroomba Airlines and currently wears a partial livery as it makes its way back to the US mainland.

This Dash 8 was originally delivered to America West Airlines back in September 1989 as N808AW. In May 1993, it found a new home with Allegheny Airlines (a U.S. Airways subsidiary) and re-registered as N821EX. In July 2004 it was allocated to Piedmont Airlines (another U.S. Airways subsidiary). Eight months later it was placed in storage until it was purchased by Queensland Regional Airlines in October 2006, registered as VH-QQE. Two months after the purchase, Queensland Regional Airlines merged with Skytrans Regional.

Island Air Ups JHM Frequency

Island Air announced today, that they will increase their service between HNL and JHM to six daily round-trip flights, that begins on June 15th.

More details in this Island Air press release.

Island Air's N808WP: The End of an Era

I knew Island Air's N808WP had been taken out of service, but today on the HNL South Ramp I discovered just how far out of service.  It's been stripped and chopped to bits.  According to some of the folks in the area, parts had been sent back to Bombardier in Canada for testing and examination, since it was the highest time Dash-8 in existence.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Island Air!

Island Air celebrated their 30th anniversary today with an orchid lei given to each passenger departing HNL, and were given special music CD single recorded by Island Air employees.  There also was live Hawaiian music and hula in the holding area for a few hours.

In a special blessing ceremony at the Island Air hangar yesterday, each of the four Dash8-100s were give a Hawaiian name and blessed to mark the anniversary.

N805WP: Holomua

N806WP: Niau

N809WP: Hokū-pa‘a

N829EX: Kūmakani

A big mahalo to Island Air for allowing us to attend the events!

N825EX

A former US Airways Express Dash8-102A, N825EX (msn 388), has stopped off at HNL from YYC via GTF (Great Falls International, MT) and CCR. It will continue onto MAJ.

N825EX was originally delivered to Allegheny Commuter in October 1994, then was merged into the Piedmont Airlines fleet in January 2004. Both airlines are part of the US Airways Express system.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

N717AV

N717AV, a former Henson Airlines (US Airways Express) Dash8-102 is being delivered through HNL today. It was previously registered as N925HA while with Henson. In 2003, it went to Canada to fly for Provincial Airlines / Regional 1 and Canadian North.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo!

N846EX

An ex-Piedmont Airlines (US Airways Express) Dash 8-102, N846EX (msn 328), is being ferried from YYC to Asia(?) via GTF, CCR, and HNL today.

*** 04.28.10 Update ***
N846EX continues onto MAJ.

Island Air Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Island Air has applied a 30th Anniversary decal to its Dash8-103 fleet on the left side of the main entry door.

On the right side of the door, Island Air is also promoting Cirque Polynesia at the Hyatt Maui.

MKU419

Island Air flight MKU419 (OGG-HNL) was forced to land on Runway 8R today after someone called in a bomb threat. The Dash8-100 is seen above landing on "Reef Runway", this was right before I was commanded not to take pictures by a Hawai‘i Sheriff's Department deputy.

I just happened to be there to watch planes while I ate lunch, and had my camera with me. After hearing on my scanner of the flight diversion to land on 8R, and seeing the fire trucks scramble down Taxiway RA and RT. Another spotter and myself waited to see what was about to happen. We saw the Dash8 about a mile out on a right base leg for 8R, and I popped up through my sunroof to get the landing photos. The fire trucks followed the Dash8 until it it exited 8R on Taxiway RG. Minutes after coming to a stop, and passengers and crew evacuating, Sheriff's Dept. cruisers, TSA cars, HIK fire trucks, and the HIK EOD team scrambled to the plane. An airport Wiki-wiki bus transported the passengers back to the terminal.

Fortunately, no device was found, and the investigation continues.

The above photo was also submitted to Hawaii News Now, and subsequently run online & on Sunrise.

N982HA

An ex-Piedmont Airlines (US Airways Express) Dash8-103, N982HA (msn 380), made a stop at HNL on its way toward Asia. It leaves this morning for MAJ.

N982HA is seen above departing HNL's Runway 4R.