N599MB

Paradise Helicopters has leased a Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, N599MB (msn 208B5547), for ad hoc inter-island charter flights. Their website does not mention the service, but their Instagram account has a post featuring this Grand Caravan. This C208B is being leased from Mani Hana AC N599MB [West Hollywood, CA].

Operation Centennial Contact

Four KC-135Rs from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 203rd Air Refueling Squadron participated in Operation Centennial Contact this morning. It is the commemoration of 100 years of aerial refueling, that many of the US Air Force and Air National Guard refueling units participated in. The four KC-135Rs, flying as TANKER61, performed the flyover with refueling booms lowered, after a refueling training mission. The route took the tankers over Kalaeloa, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, and the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). 

The four Stratotankers seen in the photos above in order, in the flight were :

63-8030 "Mākaha" (c/n 18647, l/n 686)

63-8883 (c/n 18731, l/n 714)

59-1499 (c/n 17987, l/n 402)

61-0290 "Hōkū Lele" (c/n 18197, l/n 512)

We also shot a video of the Stratotankers on final approach for Runway 8L following the flyover.

C-FSRJ

Summit Air (Canada) has acquired C-FSRJ (msn E3331) from Cobham Aviation. This RJ100 is ferrying from ADL to YZF, via BNE, HIR, HNL, and YVR.

E3331's History:

Aug 1998: Delivered to CityFlyer Express as G-BZAV, and operated for British Airways, with a "Chelsea Rose" tail art.

Mar 2007: Tail art reverted to the standard British Airways.

May 2010: Acquired by BAE Systems Asset Management.

Sep 2010: Leased to National Jet Express as VH-NJY, and operated for Cobham Aviation.

Jly 2011: Sold to Falko, and lease transferred.

Jan 2016: New livery for Cobham Aviation.

Mar 2018: Purchased by National Jet Express.

Jun 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ADL.

May 2023: Purchased by Summit Air as C-FSRJ.

TNI Angkatan Udara's A-1340

Lockheed-Martin is delivering A-1340 (msn 5963) to TNI Angkatan Udara (Indonesian Air Force, IDAF). This C-130J-30 Super Hercules is flying from MGE to HLP (via SAN, HNL, MAJ, and GUM) as LAC5963, and is making an overnight stop at HNL. It's also wearing a temporary US registration, N5101Q. This is the TNI-AU's second of five C-130Js to be delivered of the five that was ordered.

QantasLink's N934QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N934QQ (msn 19000034), painted in the QantasLink livery. This ERJ-190AR is making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, OAK, HNL, and NAN. Its being flown by Southern Cross International as SXI2325, and will overnight at HNL from OAK.

19000034's History:

Jun 2006: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1557CMP.

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

Jly 2021: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services for Alliance Airlines.

RP-C4156

Cebu Pacific is taking delivery of a white-tail A320-214, RP-C4156 (msn 3896), leased from DAE Capital. It’s flying from MEX to MNL, via TUS, HNL, and MAJ. The telltale sign this A320 is destined to Cebu Pacific, is the yellow wingfence. From HNL, it will fly on as CEB4156.

3896's History:

May 2009: Delivered to Bahrain Air as A9C-BAT, under lease from ALAFCO.

Apr 2010: Leased to Turkish Airlines as TC-JPU "Salihli".

Dec 2013: Aircraft name changed to "Aksaray".

Oct 2015: Sold to AWAS, and lease transferred; active for a year, then stored at SAW.

Jly 2017: Leased to Viva Air Colombia as HK-5221.

Aug 2017: Sold to DAE Capital, and lease transferred.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MDE for three months, then ferried to BOG for storage.

Jun 2021: Re-entered service.

Feb 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at BOG, then ferried to MEX a month later.

NASA's N522NA

NASA's Gulfstream G-IV, N522NA (msn 1199), is making a stop at HNL while on its way from LFI to PPG as NASA522, with other stops at BJC and MRY.

28 June 2023 UPDATE

N522NA returned to HNL before returning to LFI (seen above).

01 July 2023 UPDATE

NASA522 departed for TUS early this morning.

N157TS

The Wilmington Trust Company is ferrying N157TS (c/n 30517, l/n 1224) from TNA to DHN, via GSN, HNL, and TUS. This 737-89L appears to be headed for freighter conversion.

30517's History:

Oct 2002: Delivered to Air China as B-2657.

Jly 2018: Withdrawn from service.

Aug 2019: Returned to service.

Mar 2022: Withdrawn from service and stored at CGK.

Jly 2022: Ferried to TNA for storage.

Hawaiian Airlines Acquires Four 717-2BLs

Hawaiian Airlines acquired four 717-2BLs from Boeing Commercial Capital (BCC), and are currently in storage at VCV. It's not known what Hawaiian will do with these 717s.

In honor of Michael Carter's passing several days ago, the photos in the links to the Midwest Airlines photos were taken by our late friend, and fellow aviation photographer.

N728BC (c/n 55172, l/n 5122)

Aug 2003: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N908ME, under lease from BCC.

Oct 2008: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

May 2010: Leased to Mexicana Click as N908ME, and painted in the Mexicana Go livery the next month.

Aug 2010: Withdrawn from service, and stored at GDL, then ferried to VCV four months later.

Jun 2012: Leased to Volotea as EI-EXA.

Aug 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ARN, then ferried to VCV three months later.

Mar 2020: BCC registers it as N728BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

N825BC (c/n 55174, l/n 5124)

Oct 2003: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N910ME, under lease from BCC.

Sep 2009: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

Jun 2012: Leased to Volotea as EI-EXI.

Jan 2021: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCE, then ferried to VCV.

Jly 2021: BCC registers it as N825BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

N826BC (c/n 55183, l/n 5140)

Feb 2005: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N921ME, under lease from BCC.

Oct 2008: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

Aug 2009: Leased to Mexicana Click as N921ME.

May 2013: Leased to Volotea as EI-FBL.

Oct 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

Feb 2021: BCC registers it as N826BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

N883BC (c/n 55190, l/n 5149)

Oct 2005: Delivered to Midwest Airlines as N924ME, under lease from BCC.

Oct 2008: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

May 2009: Leased to Mexicana Click as XA-CLD.

Jan 2011: Withdrawn from service, registered as N799BC, and stored at VCV.

Jly 2013: Leased to Volotea as EI-FCU.

Oct 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCE, then ferried to VCV two months later.

Feb 2021: BCC registers it as N883BC.

Jun 2023: Acquired by Hawaiian Airlines.

All Nippon Airways' JA894A

All Nippon Airways' 787-9, JA894A (c/n 34517, l/n 605), painted as their new Pokémon logo jet, made a stop at HNL as ANA186 from HND today. It will return to HND this afternoon as ANA185.

JA894A spent over a month at TPE getting the Pokémon characters painted across the fuselage.

N154TS

N154TS (c/n 30515, l/n 1165), a 737-89L owned by Aviation Trading and Leasing LLC Trustee, is stopping through HNL as it ferries from TNA to CNW, via MFM, SPN, and HNL.

30515's History:

Jun 2002: Delivered to Air China as B-2671.

Jun 2018: Withdrawn from service, and stored at PEK for 14 months, then reactivated.

Feb 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TNA.

Mar 2023: Sold to the Wilmington Trust Company as N154TS.

Jun 2023: Sold to Aviation Trading and Leasing LLC Trustee.

07 Jly 2023 UPDATE

Sold to Falcon Aviation Holdings, and ferried from CNW to CWF, via ICT.

25 Jan 2024 UPDATE

AirlineVideos caught N154TS in a new livery at LAX. Falcon Aviation Holdings is linked to SpaceX, as they share the same registration address.

Aloha ‘Oe Michael Carter

The HNL RareBirds team expresses their condolences and prayers to the family of aviation photographer, Michael Carter, who passed away yesterday morning.

Mike was an internationally published writer and photographer, with works published in Airliners, Airways, Airliner World, and other publications. He specialized in airliner photos at the SoCal airports, Las Vegas, and Anchorage. He also ran the Aero Pacific Flightlines blog, and was a staff photographer for Airliners Gallery. He was also a long-time employee of Southwest Airlines. Prior to working for Southwest, Mike lived a few years on Hawai‘i Island.

I got to spend time with Mike several years ago, on one of his vacations here, where we spent a day plane spotting at HNL. We also messaged each other regarding airliners, most recently with Southwest's "Imua One", which stopped at LGB, before heading here.

The aviation photography community lost a great photographer yesterday. Fair winds and blue skies, Mike. 

Pacific Air Charters To Assign P2012s

CH-Aviation reports that Pacific Air Charters will assign its two Tecnam P2012 Travelers on order to its new subsidiary in American Sāmoa, called Pago Wings.

Pago Pagoʻs KVZK reports that Pago Wings is owned by the Alofa family.

Typhoon Mawar Relief Flights

Following Typhoon Mawar's pass over Guam, several relief flights were flown from Hawai‘i airports. Two HC-130Js from the US Coast Guard's 14th District based at JRF were dispatched to GUM. Kalitta Air's N767CK flew their weekly GUM flight, CKS370, with emergency generators from FEMA. Antonov Airlines' UR-82008 used KOA as a stop from SBD to GUM. The An-124 flew as ADB3558. United Airlines also brought supplies in their 777s that normally service GUM. Asia Pacific's N888LT flew as MGE400 to GUM. The airport sustained damage to some of their jet bridges , and is open for limited operations.

HNL's Runway 8L To Reopen This Morning

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Airports Division (HDOTA) announced that HNL's Runway 8L reopens this morning at 07:00. It has been closed since last October for widening and repaving.

Further information in this HDOTA press release.

The first flight to depart from 8L was HAL166 at 08:05, flown by N491HA. The first flight to land on 8L this morning was HAL144, at 08:13, flown by N486HA. 

HiFly Malta's 9H-TQP

HiFly Malta's A330-202, 9H-TQP (msn 211), is making a flight from YYZ to HNL as HFM352P today. It's due to arrive this evening.

211's History:

Apr 1998: Delivered to Canada 3000 as C-GGWB, under lease from ILFC.

Jly 2002: Leased to Volare Airlines as I-VLED.

May 2004: Leased to Air Madrid as EC-IYN "Atocha".

May 2007: Leased to Air Comet as EC-IYN for two years, then re-registered as EC-KIM two months later.

Sep 2011: Leased to HiFly as CS-TQP.

Dec 2013: Subleased to Livingston for one month.

May 2014: Subleased to Saudia for six months.

Jun 2017: Subleased to XL Airways France for three months, then in 2018 and 2019 for the same period.

Dec 2021: Transferred to HiFly Malta as 9H-TQP.

Lānaʻi Air To Receive A SkyCourier

Western Aircraft, the parent company of Lānaʻi Air, has taken delivery of a Cessna C408A SkyCourier. N971LA (msn 408-0012) is currently at BOI for pilot training. This SkyCourier is the first passenger version to be delivered to Western Aircraft. The cabin will be fitted for the full 19 seats for shuttle service. The delivery flight to HNL will occur after training is complete, and the ferry tanks installed. This SkyCourier will join the six Pilatus PC-12s in the Lānaʻi Air fleet.

Further information in this Cessna / Textron Aviation news release.

Lānaʻi Air will receive five C408s, three passenger and two freighters, for their charter and shuttle operations.

Alaska Airlines' N559AS

Alaska Airlines had their "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon" 737-890, N559AS (c/n 35178, l/n 2026), repainted at AMA to the new "Xáat Kwaáni (Salmon People) special livery. It's making its first appearance at HNL from SFO today as ASA877, and will depart for SAN as ASA892. N559AS made an appearance at OGG on the 20th from PDX as ASA809, and departed for SFO as ASA878.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines news release.

N208FF

N208FF (msn 208B1125), a Cessna C208B Grand Caravan owned by Merlin Labs, is transiting through HNL as it goes from MCE to AKL. It's next stop is APW, following some repairs at HNL.

Merlin Labs is a company working on fully autonomous flying, and N208FF is one of their testbed aircraft.

N153QS Bound For HNL Crashes Off Bay Area

N153QS (msn 869), a Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter, owned by a Bank of Utah Trustee, crashed off the coast of Half Moon Bay, CA today. Two souls aboard perished. It was scheduled to deliver from STS to NAN, with a stop at HNL. This Twin Otter was reported to be a floatplane version that used to be based in Australia.

Further details in this Aviation Safety Network report.

USDOT Revokes Rhoades Certificate

CH-Aviation reports that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has revoked Rhoades Aviation's certificate of public convenience and necessity, effectively shutting the airline down. Rhoades can reapply after a period of one year. The FAA already had revoked its operating certificate on 30 January 2023.

N340CG

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N340CG (msn 2340) from SGN to GYR, via GUM, MAJ, and JRF, as OMD197. This A320-232 is being returned to the Aviation Capital Group, and will make a gas & go fuel stop at JRF.

2340's History:

Jan 2005: Delivered to Tiger Airways as 9V-TAD, under lease from ACG.

Aug 2012: Leased to Jetstar Pacific as VN-A556.

May 2017: Leased to Pan Pacific Airlines as RP-C7933.

Jly 2020: Leased again to Jetstar Pacific as VN-A556, but did not re-enter service. Airline rebranded as Pacific Airlines, A320 remained in storage at HAN.

N175AN

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N175AN (c/n 32394, l/n 992) from ROW to XMN, via JRF and GUM, as OMD199. This 757-223, owned by AerSale Inc, is headed for freighter conversion. It will make a gas & go fuel stop at JRF this evening.

N175AN's History:

Dec 2001: Delivered to American Airlines (f/n 5FK).

Jun 2015: Painted in the current livery.

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

Apr 2023: Sold to the AAR Corporation, then sold to AerSale a month later.

Royal New Zealand Air Force's NZ4803

The Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 5 Squadron is taking delivery of their third P-8A Poseidon, NZ4803 (c/n 67019, l/n 9565). It's making its delivery flight from BFI to OHA, via HNL and NAN, as POSIDN1.

N492BA

N492BA (msn 492), a Dash8-202Q owned by Berry Aviation, is ferrying from ADL to HYI, via POM, MAJ, HNL, and MMV.

492's History:

Oct 1997: Delivered to Field Aviation as C-GEOA.

Jan 1998: Acquired by Surveillance Australia as VH-LCL, and operated for the Royal Australian Navy.

Oct 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored at CNS.

Dec 2019: Ferried to ADL for storage.

Delta Downguages West Coast To A321neos

Delta Air Lines has downguaged all but one of their west coast (SEA and LAX) flights to the islands to their A321-271NXs. The one remaining west coast flight, DAL480 (LAX), which applies to both segments, is served by their 767-300ERs.

Delta's flights from SLC, ATL, DTW, MSP, and JFK to HNL are continued to be served by their wide-body fleet.

Delta joins Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines with A321neo service between the west coast and the Hawaiian Islands.

N125RF

N125RF (msn 208B2330), a C208B Grand Caravan owned by Randigo LLC, arrived at JRF from SMX.

13 May 2023 UPDATE

N125RF departed for LIH.

C-GUVT

C-GUVT (msn 991), a Viking DHC-6-400, is making its delivery flight to Island Aviation, Inc (Manila, Philippines). It's flying from YYC to MNL, via GEG, OAK, HNL, MAJ, ___.

N636WT

N636WT (msn 1636), a former Air Busan A321-231, is ferrying from GYR to XMN, via HNL, MAJ, and GUM, for freighter conversion. It's still wearing the Air Busan livery, and is making a gas & go stop here at HNL.

1636's History:

Jan 2002: Delivered to Asiana Airlines as HL7711, under lease from debis Air Finance.

Oct 2005: Sold to AerCap, and lease transferred.

Nov 2013: Leased to Air Busan.

Mar 2019: Sold to FTAI, and lease transferred.

Dec 2020: Withdrawn from service, returned to FTAI, and registered as N636WT.

Jan 2023: Sold to Bank of Utah.

C-FNSA

C-FNSA (msn 354), a Dash8-315, is making its delivery flight from YYC to PER, via BOI, CCR, HNL, MAJ, ___. It's due to be delivered to Maroomba Airlines as VH-QQE, by World Wide Ferry, and is still wearing the Sunset livery.

354's History:

Aug 1994: Delivered to SA Express as ZS-NLZ.

Apr 2004: Leased to Air Tanzania for five months.

Jan 2012: Sold to Northstar Leasing as C-FNSA.

Feb 2012: Sold to North Cariboo Air (f/n 806).

Oct 2014: Sold to Sunwest Aviation.

Dec 2019: Sold to PAL Airlines.

Apr 2023: Sold to World Wide Ferry.

Allegiant Air's' RP-C3273

Allegiant Air has acquired RP-C3273 (msn 5496) from Cebu Pacific, and the former owner is delivering this A320-214 from MNL to MLB, via GUM, HNL, and ONT, as CEB3273. It's making an overnight stop at HNL.

RP-C3273's History:

Mar 2013: Delivered to Cebu Pacific Airlines.

___ 2017: Repainted to the current livery.

Mar 2023: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to CGK to repaint into the Allegiant livery.

N473AP

L3 Harris Technologies' 757-26D, N473AP (c/n 24473, l/n 301), is making an overnight stop at HNL from GVT, and will continue onto GUM as VADER20.

24473's History:

Aug 1990: Delivered to Shanghai Airlines as B-2810.

Nov 2007: Sold to Pegasus Aviation, and leased to L'Avion as F-HAVI two months later.

Apr 2009: Leased to Open Skies as F-HAVI "Violette".

May 2018: Sold to Aerolease as N473AP.

Aug 2018: Sold to L3 Technologies.

Asia Pacific Clears Suspension

Asia Pacific Airlines has been cleared to resume service with a proving flight today by N688SL as MGE900. Itʻs scheduled to make its first revenue flight in three months, tomorrow, to PPG.

N888LT and N757QM remain at GUM on their south ramp. N922TS remains in storage at SFB, along with their fifth (as yet to enter service) 757, N931AB.

12 May 2023 UPDATE

N888LT re-entered service today with a flight to MAJ as MGE401.

Southwest Airlines' N8710M "Imua One"

Southwest Airlines is unveiling a Hawai‘i-themed 737-8 today. N8710M (c/n 42567, l/n 6188, f/n 8710) is making its debut flight from LGB as SWA8726, and due at HNL this afternoon. It will make flights to all five Hawai‘i airports that Southwest serves, and is dedicated the communities the airline serves, and their employees here.

Further information in this Southwest Airlines press release, including an explanation of the Hawaiian symbols in the artwork.

LATAM Cargo's CC-BDC

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying LATAM Cargo's 767-316ERF, CC-BDC (c/n 40591, l/n 1016), from QPG to MIA, via XSP and JRF, as OMD181.

CC-BDC's History:

Nov 2011: Delivered to LAN Airlines Chile.

May 2016: Converted to a package freighter / combi airliner.

Dec 2022: Ferried to QPG for full freighter conversion.

Air Tuvalu's T2-TV8

Air Tuvalu is taking delivery of T2-TV8 (msn 527), a DeHavilland Canada DHC-6-320 Twin Otter. It's making its delivery flight from CEF4 [Calgary/Airdrie Airport, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada] to FUN [Funafuti International Airport, Funafuti, Tuvalu], via CEA3, SFO, CVH, HNL, and SUV. The chain of atolls are part of the UK Commonwealth.

527's History:

May 1979: Delivered to Atlantis Airlines as N379WW.

Apr 1983: Sold to South Pacific Island Airways

Oct 1983: Re-registered as N9SP.

Jun 1987: Sold back to Atlantis Airlines.

Apr 1989: Sold to TALair as P2-RDM.

Dec 1989: Leased to Aerolift Philippines as RP-C1312.

Mar 1992: Returned to TALair as P2-RDM.

Aug 1995: Acquired by Flight West Airlines as VH-FNY.

Jly 1998: Sold to the Australian Army Air Corps as VH-OHP.

Jun 2005: Sold to Nature Air as TI-AZV.

Jly 2008: Sold to Bald Mountain Air Service as N716JP.

Jun 2019: Acquired by Gravitas Aviation Ltd as C-GKVO.

N564NC

Elan Express is ferrying N564NC (c/n 30564, l/n 798) from VCV to QPG, via ONT and HNL, as ELX564. This 767-3BGER, owned by Northwest Aviation Leasing, is headed for freighter conversion, and will be leased to Northern Air Cargo.

30564's History:

Aug 2000: Delivered to Balair as HB-IHV.

Jly 2002: Purchased by Sobelair as OO-IHV.

Jly 2003: Sold to Pembroke Leasing, then leased to Ethiopian Airlines as ET-ALL.

Jun 2016: Leased to MIAT-Mongolian Airlines as EI-FGN.

Apr 2018: Acquired by Fortress Transportation, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2021: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to GYR for storage.

Apr 2021: Re-registered as N564WW.

Aug 2021: Sold to Northwest Aviation Leasing.

Apr 2023: Re-registered as N564NC (f/n 564).

Titan Airways' G-XATW

Titan Airways’ Four Seasons logo jet, G-XATW (msn 10150), is making a weather stop at HNL from BFI, as KOA was under severe weather. This A321-253NX is flying as AWC344P, and will continue onto KOA and PPT tomorrow. G-XATW made a stop at KOA on 27 Mar 2023.

Western Global Airlines' N546JN

Western Global Airlines' MD-11F, N546JN (c/n 48546, l/n 589, f/n 546), is flying cargo between HNL and GUM for United Airlines,  to cover for the suspended Asia Pacific Airlines. The twice-weekly HNL-GUM flights are flown as WGN546, and the return flight is flown as WGN9546.

On a related note, per CH-Aviation, United Airlines has also designated special 737-824 cargo flights among the Marshall Islands.

SkyTrans' C-FTAK

SkyTrans is taking delivery of their next Dash8-311, C-FTAK (msn 246), from YYB to CNS, via YWG, GTF, MMV, OAK, HNL, and MAJ. It's being ferried by Southern Cross International as SXA718 from MMV on. It's due to be registered as VH-QQM.

246's History:

Dec 1990: Delivered to Time Air as C-FTAK (f/n 190).

Apr 1993: Acquired by Canadian Airlines Regional, and named "Spirit of Kamloops".

Oct 2000: Leased to Air Nova (f/n 323).

Nov 2001: Painted in the Air Canada Regional livery after the merger with Canadian Airlines.

Mar 2002: Transferred to Air Canada Jazz (f/n 323).

Apr 2011: Re-branded as Air Canada Express.

Jan 2022: Withdrawn from service, and stored at YYB.

Jly 2022: Acquired by Voaygeur Airways.

All Nippon Airways' JA871A

All Nippon Airways' "Future Promise" 787-9, JA871A (c/n 34534, l/n 319), is taking its turn in ANA's service between HND and HNL as ANA186/185. The green liveried Dreamliner is making its first appearance at HNL, as it makes its way through ANA's international route network.

Two Chinese Airlines To Resume 737-8 Deliveries

CH-Aviation.com reports that China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines will both resume deliveries of the 737-8s they have on order, and are in short-term storage. China Southern is set to take delivery of 37 airframes this year, and China Eastern is set to take delivery of two this year. No timetable has been set as to when the delivery flights will begin.

N230CM

Cargo Aircraft Management is ferrying N230CM (c/n 25583, l/n 508) from ILN to QPG, via HNL and GUM. This 767-333ER is headed for freighter conversion, and is making an overnight stop at HNL.

25583's History:

Aug 1993: Delivered to Air Canada as C-FMWP (f/n 631).

Aug 1993: Leased to Polynesian Airlines, and named "Manu Sāmoa".

May 1994: Returned to Air Canada.

Feb 2007: Tail re-painted in the Ice Blue livery.

Nov 2009: Painted in the full Ice Blue livery.

Jun 2014: Transferred to Air Canada Rouge.

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

Jly 2020: Ferried to MZJ for storage.

May 2022: Acquired by Cargo Aircraft Management as N230CM.

VMGR-153 Changes Tail Code

The VMGR-153 has changed their tail code from QB to KB, as seen in this photo of 170272 on short final for HNL's Runway 4R.

Northern Air Cargo's N407YK

Northern Air Cargo is assigning N407YK (c/n 25844, l/n 2514) to Aloha Air Cargo for three months. This 737-436F is ferrying as NAC9407 from AKN. 

25844's History:

Sep 1993: Delivered to British Airways as G-BVBY, but did not enter service.

Apr 1994: Leased to EuroBelgian Airlines as OO-LTQ.

Jan 1996: Subleased to Air Provence International.

Oct 1996: Returned to British Airways as G-DOCY "River Weaver".

Dec 2014: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV.

Oct 2015: Acquired by Automatic LLC, re-registered as N844AU, and converted to a freighter.

Feb 2017: Leased to Titan Airways as G-POWP.

Jun 2022: Leased to Northern Air Cargo as N407YK.

Pacific Air Charters Orders Two P2012s

Pacific Air Charters ordered two Tecnam P2012 Travellers to add to their fleet, for their inter-island charter operations. Delivery is expected in July 2023. The airline also holds options for 23 additional P2012s, and it's not known if those on options will directly replace PAC's current fleet.

Pacific Air Charters will become the second airline in Hawai‘i (along with Mokulele) to have P2012s in the fleet.

Further information in this CH-Aviation.com article.

Lion Air's PK-LRI

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-LRI (c/n 42987, l/n 6250) today. This 737-9 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CGK, via HNL and GUM, as LNI1. It will make a brief fuel stop at HNL. This is one of the first 737-9s off of the Boeing production line, and had been used as a test aircraft for the past five years.

Mokulele To Increase MKK and LNY Service

Mokulele Airlines announced that they will increase service to MKK and LNY. They will add a third Saab SF340B to the two they have in service. They will also add three Tecnam P2012 Traveller nine-seat twin-turboprops (see following paragraph), as some of their Cessna C208B Grand Caravans go in for maintenance and repaint. The registration of the third SF340B has not been disclosed.

Further information in this KHON2 News report.

On a related note, Marianas Southern Airways is terminating its service in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) due to the government's cancellation of its contract with the airline. The three P2012s, N401CJ (049/US), N503SA (041/US), and N504SA (048/US), will be transferred to Mokulele, and used as reserve aircraft, as well as for private charters.

Further information in this Pacific Daily News article.

Titan Airways’ G-XATW

Titan Airways’ Four Seasons logojet, G-XATW (msn 10150), is making a stop at KOA from STN, via BFI. This A321-253NX is flying as AWC343Y.

G-XATW’s History:

Oct 2020: Delivered to Titan Airways, under lease from ALC.

Apr 2021: Subleased to the UK Government as a VIP transport.

May 2022: Returned to Titan Airways, and painted as TCS World Travel logojet.

Mar 2023: Painted as the Four Seasons logojet.

Coulson Aviation’s N137CG

One of Coulson Aviation’s 737 firebombers is making an overnight stop at JRF from PPG tonight. N137CG “Gaia” (c/n 27700, l/n 2759), a 737-3H4, flying as CUL137, is returning to its base at TRM [Thermal, CA] from its Australian summer firefighting season, based at XRH [Richmond, Australia].

27700’s History:

Oct 1995: Delivered to Southwest Airlines as N617SW (f/n 617).

Dec 2004: Painted in the Canyon Blue livery.

Feb 2017: Withdrawn from service.

Mar 2017: Acquired by Coulson Aviation.

Sep 2017: Converted to waterbomber, and re-registered as N137CG “Gaia” (f/n 137).

GOL’s PR-GGD

GOL Linhas Aéreos is ferrying PR-GGD (c/n 34275, l/n 2588) from PVG to CNF, via GUM, HNL, VCV, and SJO, where it will be painted in the Mercado Livre livery. This 737-8EHF, which recently underwent freighter conversion and still wearing the GOL livery, is flying as GLO9676, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL. It will join the other GOL freighters flying in the Mercado Livre livery, and be re-registered as PS-GFD.

34275’s History:

Apr 2008: Delivered to GOL as PR-GGD, under lease from GECAS.

May 2012: Subleased to Webjet Linhas Aéreos for six months.

Jun 2018: Painted in the current livery.

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

Oct 2022: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to PVG for freighter conversion a month later.

Japan Airlines Orders 737-8s

Boeing announced today that Japan Airlines has ordered 21 737-8s to replace their current 737-846s. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026. As with most of the previous JAL 737 deliveries, they should be making a stop at HNL on delivery.

Further information in this Boeing Media press release.

Icelandair’s TF-LLL

Icelandair’s TF-LLL “Þríhnúkagígur” (c/n 29307, l/n 924) is making an overnight stop at HNL on its around-the-world charter. This 757-256, wearing the National Geographic special livery, is flying as ICE1245. It will continue onto APW tomorrow.

29307’s History:

May 2000: Delivered to Iberia as EC-HIQ “Honduras”, leased from Babcock & Brown.

Aug 2005: Leased to Atlasjet as TC-OGS.

Jun 2006: Subleased to Ethiopian Airlines for ten months.

Mar 2008: Subleased to Saudi Arabian Airlines for 33 months.

Jun 2011: Subleased to Saudi Arabian Airlines for six months.

Apr 2012: Leased to Titan Airways, and subleased to Icelandair as TF-IST “Grimsvötn”.

Dec 2013: Returned to Titan Airways.

Jun 2014: Sold to AirCo, and leased to La Compagnie as F-HTAG.

Dec 2019: Leased to TACV Cabo Verde Airlines as D4-CCH.

Jan 2021: Acquired by Icelandair as TF-LLL “Þríhnúkagígur”.

Sep 2022: Painted in the National Geographic Society special livery, and flies charters for NGS.

Pelitta Air Service’s PK-PWE

Pelitta Air Service is taking delivery of PK-PWE (msn 3398), an A320-214, leased from Avolon. It’s making its delivery flight from DHN to CGK, via GYR, HNL, MAJ, and BIK.

3398’s History:

Feb 2008: Delivered to Virgin American as N635VA “My Other Ride’s A Spaceship” (f/n 635), leased from GECAS.

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

Jan 2018: Transferred to the Alaska Airlines fleet (along with the lease) following the merger.

Dec 2020: Stored at OAK.

Oct 2021: Ferried to PAE for storage:

Jan 2022: Re-entered service.

Sep 2022: Withdrawn from service, returned to Avolon, and ferried to GSO for storage.

Feb 2023: Ferried to DHN for prep to lease to Pelitta Air.

Smartwings’ OK-TVW

Smartwings’ OK-TVW (c/n 30295, l/n 1600), is making a stop at LIH from LAS, as TVS4343. This 737-86Q left PRG on 15 March, and appears to making an around-the-world charter.

Track OK-TVW on FlightRadar24.

30295’s History:

Nov 2004: Delivered to Privatair as HB-IIR, under lease from Boullion Air Services.

Jan 2005: Sold to Aircastle, the lease transferred, and operated for Swiss.

Jun 2012: Leased to Smartwings as OK-TVW.

___2016: Sold to Apollo Aviation, and the lease transferred.

Dec 2018: Sold to Carlyle Aviation Partners, and the lease transferred.

Feb 2020: Subleased to Air Transat for one month.

25 Mar 2023 UPDATE

OK-TVW stopped at HNL for a brief fuel stop before continuing onto NAN as TVS4344.

Kamaka Air's N408KA

Kamaka Air is taking delivery of their first Cessna C408 SkyCourier, N408KA (msn 408-0009). The local-based cargo airline will have the C408 flown from ICT to VGT for its ferry tank system installation, then a fuel stop at MRY, before making its TransPacific flight home. This SkyCourier is also the first to be delivered to an airline outside of Fedex’s order for 50.

RP-C3264

RP-C3264 (msn 4852), an A320-214, owned by JP Lease is ferrying from GUA to CGK, via PSP, HNL, PNI, and CEB. It’s making an overnight stop at HNL.

It was supposed to be leased to Avianca as N947AV, but was not taken up.

4852’s History:

Sep 2011: Delivered to Cebu Pacific as RP-C3264.

Jan 2016: Painted in the current livery.

Jly 2018: Sold to JP Lease, then leased back.

Jly 2021: Withdrawn from service.

Jan 2022: Ferried to GUA for storage, and lease to Avianca.

Royal New Zealand Air Force’s NZ4802

The Royal New Zealand Air Force is taking delivery of their second P-8A, NZ4802 (c/n 67018, l/n 9488) today. It’s making its delivery flight from BFI to OHA, via HNL and NAN, as POSIDN1. It will be assigned to No. 5 Squadron.

N194AA

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N194AA (c/n 32388, l/n 983) from ROW to XMN, via JRF and GUM, as OMD132. This 757-223 is headed for freighter conversion, and will make a late-night brief fuel stop at JRF.

N194AA's History:

Nov 2001: Delivered to American Airlines (f/n 5FD).

Dec 2016: Repainted to the current livery.

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

Dec 2021: Sold to AerSale, and remained in storage.

Alaska Airlines To Paint A Second Hawai‘i-Themed 737

Alaska Airlines announced today that they will paint a 737 as their second Hawai‘i-themed airliner, and will be unveiled later this year. Punky Aloha Studios will partner with Alaska Airlines to come up with the design.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

N237CM

Cargo Aircraft Management is ferrying N237CM (c/n 25584, l/n 596) from QPG to ROW, via GUM and HNL. This 767-333ERF is fresh from freighter conversion, and will head to ROW for repainting. It stopped through HNL in September 2022, en route to conversion.

Qantas Link's N945UW

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of their next ERJ-190AR, N945UW (msn 19000062), today. It's making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE (via SDM, OAK, HNL, and MAJ) as UTY9815.

19000062's History:

Dec 2006: Delivered to US Airways as N945UW (f/n 945).

Dec 2013: Transferred to the American Airlines following the merger with US Airways.

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

Jan 2021: Acquired by Jetran.

Sep 2021: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services for preparation for Alliance Airlines.

Nov 2022: Ferried to SJO for repaint and caring configuration.

On a related note, Simple Flying reports that Alliance Airlines will purchase 30 ERJ-190s from AerCap, which are currently with jetBlue. This comes on the heels of an expanded wet-lease agreement between Alliance and Qantas.

Royal Brunei's V8-MHB

The Sultanate of Brunei Government's 767-27GER, V8-MHB (c/n 25537, l/n 517), made a fuel stop at HNL today. The flight information is unknown, but was tracked departing westward out of HNL.

FJI810 Diversions

For two consecutive days, Fiji Airways A350-900s have made diversions to HNL on their FJI810 route, NAN-LAX. 

Yesterday's diversion, flown on DQ-FAI "Island of Viti Levu" (msn 299), made a medical diversion for an ill passenger.

Today's diversion, flown on DQ-FAJ "Island of Vanua Levu" (msn 320), pictured above, made an unspecified technical diversion.

Both diversions lasted about two hours.

LATAM Cargo's CC-BDB

Nomadic Aviation is delivering LATAM Cargo's CC-BDB (c/n 40590, l/n 1014) from QPG to MIA via JRF. This 767-316ERF is flying as OMD128, fresh from freighter conversion, will overnight at JRF, and a pre-dawn departure to MIA.

CC-BDB's History:

Oct 2011: Delivered to LAN Chile.

May 2016: Following the merger with TAM, the airline is rebranded as LATAM Airlines Chile.

Jun 2022: Withdrawn from service.

Sep 2022: Ferried to QPG (via AKL) by Nomadic Aviation as OMD290.

TNI Angkatan Udara's A-1339

Lockheed-Martin is delivering A-1339 (msn 5951) to Tentara National Indonesia (TNI) Angkatan Udara (Indonesian Air Force, IDAF). This C-130J-30 Super Hercules is flying from MGE to HLP (via MRY, HNL, MAJ, and GUM) as LAC5951, and is making an overnight stop at HNL. It's also wearing a temporary US registration, N51008. This is the TNI-AU's first of five C-130Js to be delivered of the five that was ordered, and will be assigned to 31 Skuadron.

Further information in this Lockheed-Martin press release.

Aloha Airlines' N824AL PlaneTags

MotoArt has released PlaneTags of Aloha Airlines' 737-282, N824AL "Kalaniʻopuʻu" (c/n 23045, l/n 978), which was retired following the closure of Aloha Airlines in 2008.