Qantas Looks For More ERJ-190 For QantasLink

CH-Aviation reports that the Qantas Group is looking to acquire up to 14 second-hand ERJ-190s for their Network Aviation subsidiary. Western Australia's Network operates for QantasLink, and currently has a fleet of 14 aging Fokker F100s that the Embraers would replace. The 14 ERJ-190s would be painted in the QantasLink livery. The source of the used ERJ-190s has not been revealed, but Qantas is looking toward the 4th quarter of 2026 to begin deliveries.

Network Aviation is also recently acquired nine A319-132s from Spirit Airlines, eight have been delivered, with one delivery currently pending, to replace some of their F100 fleet. Network will also be receiving four former Jetstar Asia A320-232s later this year, as Jetstar Asia ceased operations.

This would also be QantasLink's second time with the ERJ-190 as they currently have wet-leased 30 from Alliance Airlines (pictured above).

Further information in this Qantas Group press release.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVM

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MVM (c/m 43349, l/n 9185) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM, as MAS5041. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

China Southern Airlines' B-209T

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-209T (c/n 63279, l/n 7496) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, via HNL and GUM, as CSN5279. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Virgin Australia's VH-VUI

Virgin Australia is ferrying VH-VUI "Kewarra Beach" (c/n 34441, l/n 2015) from BNE to P08, via NAN and HNL, as VOZ9946. This 19-year-old 737-8FE is making its last flights, as it is headed to be parted out and scrapped at P08.

VH-VUI stopped through HNL in December 2020 during the corona virus pandemic as it was returned to lessor ACG. It stopped through again nine months later to return to Virgin Australia.

F-ONCA

Air Loyaute's DHC-6 Twin Otter, F-ONCA (msn 840) is ferrying from GEA [Noumea Magenta Airport, Noumea] to SMX, via MAJ and HNL, as RLY12AM.

840's History:

Sep 1988: Delivered to Etty Aerospace as C-FCVY, then re-registered as N840ES.

Jly 2000: Sold to Winair as PJ-WIM "Freddy Jonson - Spirit of Saba".

__ 2004: Painted Winair's new livery.

Oct 2010: Sold to Air Loyaute as F-ONCA.

Hawaiian Airlines' N783HA

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of their fourth 787-9 today. N783HA (c/n 66431, l/n 1236, f/n 783) is making its delivery from CHS to HNL as HAL9787. It will receive its Hawaiian name following its blessing. It's Hawaiian name is "Me‘e" (Voice of joy, for the constellation Corvus).

China Southern Airlines' N249BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N249BE (c/n 65254, l/n 8254) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM. This 737-8, flying as BOE171, will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight. It will have its cabin completed at HSN, and be registered as B-224L at delivery.

N657NK

GA Telesis is having N657NK (msn 6672) ferried from GYR to HAN, via HNL, MAJ, and GUM. This A321-231 is making an overnight stop at HNL tonight. It was purchased by Vietravel Airlines as VN-A129.

6672's History:

Jly 2015: Delivered to Spirit Airlines as N657NK (f/n 657).

__ 2020: Fleet number changed to 5657.

Oct 2024: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to GYR for storage.

Dec 2024: Acquired by GA Telesis.

Jun 2025: Acquired by Vietravel Airlines.

Further information in this VNExpress.net article, and this Vietravel Airlines press release.

Air China's B-225Q

Air China is taking delivery of B-225Q (c/n 60941, l/n 8206) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery for BFI to PEK, via HNL and GUM, as CCA80. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Air China's N248BE

Boeing is ferrying Air China's N248BE (c/n 60938, l/n 8181) back to HSN, from BFI, via KOA and GUM. This grey-tail 737-8 is flying as BOE284, and will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight. It will be registered as B-225P upon completion at HSN,

This the third of three 737-8s that were returned to Boeing following the trade tariff dispute between the US and China.

Los Angeles Rams Team Charter

The NFL's Los Angeles Rams are conducting their mini-camp on Maui this week, and chartered two Omni Air International 767-300ERs to bring their players, coaches, and staff to OGG from LAX. N423AX (c/n 27569, l/n 601, f/n 423), a 767-324ER, arrived first at 14:30HST, as OAE3388. N351AX (c/n 27908, l/n 578, f/n 351), a 767-33AER, arrived second at 15:44HST, as OAE3367.

19 June 2025 UPDATE

The L.A. Rams are returning this afternoon to LAX. OAE3367 departed OGG at 13:15HST, and OAE3388 departed eight minutes later.

Happy 250th Birthday US Army!

Today marks the 250th birthday of the United States Army! We express a hauʻoli lā hanau and māhalo to the men and women who serve, have served, and sacrificed to defend our nation, and keep our freedoms.

Hainan Airlines' B-225S

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their first new-build 737-8 since the MAX groundings, and the pandemic, today. B-225S (c/n 64317, l/n 9098) is making its delivery flight from BFI to HAK, via JRF and GUM, as CHH2250. It will make an overnight stop at JRF tonight.

Since the grounding and pandemic, Hainan Air Group had 12 of 14 737-8s that were in storage, and were re-marketed by Boeing to United Airlines and GOL. Hainan Airlines took the remaining two that were allotted to one of its subsidiaries, Fuzhou Airlines. Hainan Airlines is the first of the Chinese airlines to have these new-build 737-8s, as the other major carriers still have airliners still in storage awaiting delivery.

Xiamen Air's N242BE

Boeing is ferrying Xiamen Air's N242BE (c/n 64677, l/n 7690) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM, as BOE339. Xiamen Air is re-taking this 737-8, and is making an overnight stop at KOA tonight. It will be registered as B-20CQ upon delivery following its cabin completion. 

This is the second of the two Xiamen Air 737-8s that were ferried to HSN in March for cabin completion, then returned to BFI during the trade tariff dispute.

Hawaiian Airlines' N488HA Gets "Lilo & Stitch" Decals

The third of three Hawaiian Airlines' airliners to receive decals to promote Disney's motion picture "Lilo & Stitch", is N488HA "Puaiohi" (c/n 55001, l/n 5002). This 717-26R, was taken out of service on 09 June, and re-entered service today with the new decals.

Trans Air Hawaii's N221LM Belly Landing

TransAir Hawaii's Short Brothers SD3-60F (200), N221LM (msn SH3722), landed gear-up on Runway 4R this morning. Operating as MUI6 from KOA, it belly landed at 08:52. HNL's ARFF trucks responded, there were no injuries reported.

The ReverseOps YouTube channel caught the final approach on their live stream this morning, at 02:12:21 on the timeline.

This was N221LM from a photo taken this past April, taxiing to the TransAir Hawaii operations ramp.

Xiamen Air's N230BE

N230BE (c/n 64680, l/n 7934) departed BFI for KOA this morning as BOE376. This 737-8 was originally ordered by Xiamen Air as B-20DX, and was ferried to HSN this past March for cabin completion. It returned to BFI a month later, due to the trade tariff issue between the US and China, as Xiamen Air did not take up this 737-8. Xiamen Air will re-take this 737-8 upon completion at HSN.

07 Jun 2025 UPDATE

BOE376 is continuing onto GUM.

08 Jun 2025 UPDATE

BOE376 is continuing onto HSN.

FedEx's N775FX

Corporate Air's FedEx Hawaiʻi operation is taking delivery of their third Cessna C408F SkyCourier, N775FX (msn 408-0038) today. Itʻs making its delivery flight from VGT, via SMX, as CPT775. It was delivered to Corporate Air at FAR in December 2024.

Amazon Prime Air's N5869K

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery their tenth Amazon Prime Air-liveried A330-343F with N5869K (msn 1205). It's making its acceptance flight at SBD as HAL9650. This is the final aircraft that is being leased from Altavair for the Amazon Prime Air operation.

1205’s History:

May 2011: Delivered to Etihad as A6-AFD.

Jun 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TEV.

Sep 2020: Acquired by Altavair Finance, and ferried to AUH for storage.

Feb 2024: Ferried to DRS as F-WTAM for freighter conversion.

Nov 2024: Re-registered as N5869K.

Apr 2025: Ferried to SBD for paint in the Amazon Prime Air livery.

N4053L

Coulson Aviation is taking delivery of N4053L (msn 382-4053). This former Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H is being ferried from BHE to TRM, via AKL, PPG, and KOA. It's making an overnight stop at KOA tonight. This is the second of four ex-RNZAF C-130Hs that Coulson acquired to become aerial firefighters.

382-4053's History:

Apr 1965: Built as 64-15095, and delivered to the RNZAF's 40 Squadron as NZ7002.

Jan 2025: Withdrawn from service, and officially retired from service.

Apr 2025: Sold to Coulson Aviation USA.

QantasLink's C-GWEO

Sunstate Airlines is taking delivery of its next Dash8-402Q, C-GWEO (msn 4462). It's making its delivery flight from YAM to BNE, via YYJ, HNL, and MAJ. This QantasLink-liveried Q400 is making an overnight stop at HNL tonight. It will be registered as VH-84G "Armidale" after it's delivered.

4462's History:

Feb 2014: Delivered to WestJet Encore as C-GWEO (f/n 409).

Apr 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at YAM, then prepped for Sunstate Airlines.

May 2025: Acquired by JD Aero for the delivery flight.

Avianca Cargo's N338QT

Avianca Cargo is taking delivery of N338QT (msn 1382), under lease from CDB Aviation. This A330-343F is making its delivery flight following freighter conversion and storage at HAK. It's making an overnight stop at HNL, before continuing onto MDE [José Maria Cordova International Airport, Medellin, Rionegro, Colombia].

1382's History:

Mar 2013: Delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-STT, under lease from AerCap.

Apr 2019: Sold to CDB Aviation, and leased to Evelop Airlines as EC-NBP.

Jun 2021: Leased to SmartLynx Malta as 9H-SMD.

Jly 2022: Subleased to Condor, with the "Blue Sea" tail design, for six months.

Feb 2024: Returned to CDB Aviation.

Apr 2024: Ferried to SHA for freighter conversion as VP-CKD.

Nov 2024: Ferried to CTU for storage.

Mar 2025: Ferried to HAK for storage.

May 2025: Leased to Avianca Cargo as N338QT.

China To Allow Boeing Deliveries

CH-Aviation reports that the Chinese government will allow deliveries of Boeing airliners, and is expecting the first resumed deliveries this month. Along with the 20 737-8s in storage awaiting delivery, there are three new-builds (two for Hainan Airlines, and one for Donghai Airlines) awaiting final assembly. It's not known whether the three 737-8s that were returned to Boeing from its HSN Completion Center, will be re-marketed (though reported as such), or be re-taken by their respective airlines.

Boeing Looking Toward 737-7 And 737-10 Certifications

In an interview with Aviation Week, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced that both the 737-7 and the 737-10 are on-track to be certified by the FAA by the end of this year. Once certified, Boeing can begin to work on the backlog of 1,200 737-10s, and 332 737-7s on order. Boeing is also close to having the 777-9 certified as well.

Regarding airlines in the Pacific Rim, for the 737-7, only Ruili Airlines has two on order; and for the 737-10, these airlines have them on order: Virgin Australia (13), Skymark Airlines (3), Lion Air Group (50), Malaysia Airlines (12), Okay Air (3), Donghai Airlines (10), and Vietjet Air (106).

Further details in this Reuters article.

Aloha Air Cargo's N303KH

Aloha Air Cargo is ferrying N303KH "Kukunaokalā" (c/n 25606, l/n 3123) from HNL to ANC for flights for Northern Air Cargo today. This 737-319F is making its ferry flight as NAC9303.

N423AX

Omni Air International's N423AX (c/n 27569, l/n 609, f/n 423), their lone 767-324ER in a different livery, and without titles, is making a stop at HNL from HAN (via GUM) as OAE3327.

27569's History:

Apr 1996: Delivered to Ansett Australia as VH-BZF, under lease from GECAS.

Aug 2002: Leased to North American Airlines as N767NA "Janice M".

Jun 2014: Leased to Omni Air International.

Apr 2015: Re-registered as N423AX.

Nov 2019: Sold to Cargo Aircraft Management, and the lease transferred.

___ 2024: Painted in its current livery.

30 May 2025 UPDATE

N423AX departed for AFW this afternoon as OAE3327.

Air Niugini Orders Two More A220s

Airbus announced that Air Niugini has placed an order for two additional A220-100s to its original order for six A220-100s. The airline also has lease agreements for three A220-300s. Airbus also announced that Air Niugini's first A220 has entered its final assembly phase at Montréal-Mirabel.

Further information in this Airbus press release.

N4313L

N4313L (msn 382-4313), a former Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H, has been acquired by Coulson Aviation USA, and is being ferried from BHE [Woodburne Airport, Blenheim, New Zealand] to TRM, via AKL, PPG, and JRF. It's making an overnight stop at JRF tonight.

This is the first of four former RNZAF C-130Hs that Coulson Aviation USA bought from the New Zealand Defence Force. The fleet of five C-130Hs of 40 Squadron was retired in January, and the four were sold in April. The first RNZAF C-130H, NZ7001 (msn 382-4052) was donated to the Air Force Museum at Wigram, NZ.

382-4313's History:

Dec 1968: Built as 68-8219, and delivered to the RNZAF's 40 Squadron as NZ7005.

Jan 2025: Withdrawn from service, officially retired from service, and stored at BHE.

Apr 2025: Sold to Coulson Aviation USA.

NSW Rural Fire Service's N138CG

The NSW Rural Fire Service's 737-3H4 water bomber, N138CG "Marie Bashir" (c/n 29728, l/n 2742), is returning to TRM from XRH, via PPG and KOA. This 737 is operated by Coulson Aviation, and is flying as CUL138. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight. It stopped through KOA in October 2024.

Airnorth's N236JB

Airnorth is taking delivery of N236JB (msn 19000035), under lease from Alliance Airlines. This ERJ-190AR is being flown by Southern Cross International, from SJO to ROK, via SDM, OAK, KOA, MAJ, and BNE, as SXI2521. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight. Its Australian registration will be VH-A2I.

19000035's History:

Jun 2006: Delivered to jetBlue as N236JB "Blue By Design" (f/n 236) with the "Bubbles tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Feb 2016: Tail livery repainted in the "Tartan" design.

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

May 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MCN.

Jan 2025: Ferried to SJO for prep to Alliance Airlines.

May 2025: Leased to Airnorth.

N91BU

N91BU (msn 382-5967), a LM-100J-30 Super Hercules owned by Gulf Air Group, and operated by Pallas Aviation, will be making a stop at HNL from SUU, as WDE11.

Pallas Aviation is the first commercial operator of the LM-100J, the civilian designation of the C-130J.

N91BU's History:

Aug 2023: Delivered to the Gulf Air Group.

21 May 2025 UPDATE

N91BU departed west-bound this morning as WDE11.

25 May 2025 UPDATE

N91BU returned to HNL as WDE11.

27 May 2025 UPDATE

N91BU departed for the mainland this morning.

QantasLink's VH-X4G

National Jet Systems is taking delivery of their seventh A220-300 (BD-500-1A11) with VH-X4G "Whale Shark" (msn 55352). This A220-300 is making its delivery flight from YMX to CBR, via YVR, HNL, and NAN, as QLK6076. It's making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

20 May 2025 UPDATE

The HNL-NAN leg is being flown as QLK6077.

Hawaiian Airlines' N216HA Gets "Lilo & Stitch" Decals

Hawaiian Airlines' A321-271N, N216HA "Māmane" (msn 8471, f/n 216), is the second airliner to receive "Lilo & Stitch" decals to promote the Disney motion picture. It was taken out of service on 13 May for the decal application, and will be inservice this evening as HAL96 to SLC.

Pacific Air Charters Launches On-Demand Charter Flights

Pacific Air Charters launched on-demand inter-island charter flights with their Tecnam P2012 Travelers today. The Honolulu-based carrier was granted approval by the FAA to proceed.

Further information in this Tecnam press release.

Jetstar Airways To End HNL Service

Australia's news.com.au reports that after 19 years, Jetstar Airways will end service at HNL on 24 October 2025. Currently, Jetstar is just down to its SYD-HNL service. MEL-HNL service ended at the end of this past April. The airline's 787-8s will be re-assigned to routes around Asia.

China To Temporarily Allow Boeing Deliveries

Airways Magazine reports that China will allow its airlines to take deliveries of Boeing airliners that are ready for delivery. This comes after both the US and China will hold a 90-day tariff truce. Nothing is known as to what will happen after the 90-day period ends. Should the truce end, and the tariffs re-instated, Boeing is prepared to re-market the China-bound 737-8s still in storage at BFI, MWH, and VCV.

It will be interesting to see if the three 737-8s that Boeing ferried to HSN for completion, then returned to BFI, will be taken up by Xiamen Air and Air China, as the trade dispute began.

There are 42 737-8s that have yet to be delivered to airlines in China:

CCA: 7; CES: 1; CSN: 15; CXA: 10; CSH: 2; CSZ: 4; and CDG: 3.

N584FA

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N584FA (c/n 35384, l/n 2446) for FTAI Aviation. This 737-71B is being flown from CAN to NHZ, via GUM, OGG, and DTW, as OMD125, to be parted out and scrapped. It's making a daytime stopover at OGG today.

35384's History:

Dec 2007: Delivered to China Southern Airlines as B-5251.

May 2022: Sold to CALC, and leased back.

Feb 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at CAN.

Apr 2025: Acquired by FTAI Aviation.

Lynden Air Cargo's N409LC

Lynden Air Cargo's N409LC (msn 382G-4695) is making a stop at HNL today. This L-100-30 arrived from ANC this afternoon as LYC509.

12 May 2025 UPDATE

N409LC departed westbound for an undisclosed destination as LYC509.

13 May 2025 UPDATE

N409LC returned to HNL.

15 May 2025 UPDATE

N409LC departed westbound for an undisclosed destination.

Alliance Airlines' N238JB

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N238JB (msn 19000039). This ERJ-190AR, flown by Southern Cross International, is flying from SJO to ROK, via SDM, OAK, KOA, MAJ, and BNE, as SXI2518. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

19000039's History

Jly 2006: Delivered to jetBlue as N238JB "Blue Clipper" (f/n 238) with the "Mosaic" tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Sep 2014: Tail livery repainted in the "Barcode" design.

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

May 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MCN.

Nov 2024: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services, and ferried to SJO for prep to Alliance Airlines.

Titan Airways' G-XATW

Titan Airways' G-XATW (msn 10150) is making its annual stop at KOA as part of its Four Season Resorts global tour charter flight. This A321-253NX, painted in the Four Seasons Jet Experience livery, is making its flight from STN, with stops at PAE, KOA, and PPT, as AWC460. The KOA stop should be for a couple of days.

12 May 2025 UPDATE

G-XATW departed for PPT this morning.

Hawaiian Airlines' N378HA Gets "Lilo & Stitch" Decals

Hawaiian Airlines posted an Instagram Reel showing decals for the upcoming live-action version of Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" motion picture being applied to N378HA "Kaukamalama"(msn 1615). This A330-243 was taken out of service on 05 May, and will return to service on 08 May, as it scheduled to depart to PHX as HAL36. The motion picture is slated to hit theaters on 23 May.

Like the "Moana 2" decals, there will be an A321-271N and a 717-200, to receive "Lilo & Stitch" decals in the coming weeks.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

4,000,000 Views!

Today, we broke the 4,000,000 post and page views mark!

Mahalo to all of our contributors and our readers! I appreciate you all!

Onward to 5,000,000!

Aloha ‘Oe "Moana 2"

Maintenance crews have begun removing the "Moana 2" decals from the three Hawaiian Airlines airliners. N208HA, N494HA, and N381HA have had the decals removed, and returned to service.

Coulson Aviation's N131CG

Coulson Aviation's N131CG (msn 382-4901) is returning from its Australian summer fire season deployment. This EC-130Q is making its ferry flight from BQB to TRM, via XRH, PPG, AND JRF, AS CUL131. It will make its overnight stop at JRF tonight. N131CG stopped through ITO this past November.

Qantas Re-Starts MEL-HNL Service

Qantas Airways has re-started three-times weekly service between MEL and HNL tonight, as QFA105/106. The A330-301 service is scheduled to arrive at HNL tomorrow morning. VH-QPG "Mount Gambier" (msn 603) is making the relaunch flight.

Alaska Airlines Shifts Flights To Hawaiian Airlines

In a move to consolidate services as part of the merger with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines has reduced its service to Hawai‘i, while Hawaiian has increased service on those routes.

Hawaiian's new flights to/from the west coast fly with the HAL6xx flight code. Alaska still has flights to/from SEA, SAN, ANC, and PDX.

On a related note, both airlines are consolidating terminal operations on the mainland.

FedEx Feeder's N776FX

Corporate Air has ferried their second C408F, N776FX (msn 408-0040), from VGT to HNL, via SMX, to operate in their inter-island FedEx Feeder operation. It making the ferry flight today, and will arrive this evening. This SkyCourier was delivered to Corporate Air, under lease from FedEx, in December 2024.

06 May 2025 UPDATE

N776FX entered service today as CPT8670 to LIH.

Amazon Prime Air's N5881K

Hawaiian Airlines has taken delivery of N5881K (msn 1167) today. This A330-343F, painted in the Amazon Prime Air livery, made a pair of test flights around SBD as HAL9650. Itʻs scheduled to enter service as HAL1617, from SBD to IAH. This is the ninth A330-343F that Hawaiian Airlines leased from Altavair, to operate for Amazon Prime Air.

1167’s History:

Nov 2010: Delivered to Etihad as A6-AFC.

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

Nov 2020: Acquired by Altavair Finance, and ferried to TEV for storage.

Mar 2024: Ferried to DRS for freighter conversion, registered as F-WTBH.

Mar 2025: Ferried to SBD for paint in the Amazon Prime Air livery.

Air China's N248BE

Boeing is ferrying Air China's N248BE (c/n 60938, l/n 8181) from HSN to BFI, via GUM and HNL, as BOE284. This 737-8 was not taken up by the Chinese national carrier, due to the trade tariff dispute between the US and China. It will arrive this evening from GUM, and will depart for BFI tomorrow.

N248BE ferried through KOA from BFI, on its way to HSN, on 05 April. This was the last 737-8 ferried to the Boeing China Completion Center, and the last one to ferry back to BFI.

QantasLink's C-GJWE

Sunstate Airlines is taking delivery of C-GJWE (msn 4460). This QantasLink-liveried Dash8-402Q is flying from YAM to BNE, via YYJ, HNL, and MAJ. This Q400 will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight. It will be re-registered as VH-84F, and named "Horn Island Ngurupai".

4460's History:

Dec 2013: Delivered to Westjet Encore as C-GJWE (f/n 408).

Apr 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at YYC.

Jan 2025: Ferried to YAM to prep for Sunstate Airlines.

Malaysia Airlines Looks To Acquire Chinese 737 Re-markets

Should airlines from China decide to allow Boeing to re-market their 737-8s ready for delivery, or defer their orders with the current trade disagreement going on, there is a list of airlines lining up in interest of the potential 737-8 re-markets, as well as taking over construction and delivery slots.

Malaysia Airlines expressed interest in acquiring the two Xiamen Air 737-8s that were returned to Boeing, and ferried back to BFI. The two 737-8s would need to be repainted, and have the cabin configured to Malaysia Airlines' current layout. Malaysia Aviation Group is also interested in at least ten of the remaining 22 China-bound 737-8s sitting at BFI, MWH, and VCV ready for delivery.

Air India Express acquired 55 737-8s from several Chinese airlines, as the airlines deferred deliveries after the pandemic, and the 737-8 re-certification. They currently have four of the 55 remaining to be delivered.

Further details in this Reuters article, and this CH-Aviation article.

29 April 2025 UPDATE

CH-Aviation.com reports that Air India Express has joined the list of airlines interested in the remaining China-bound 737-8s sitting in storage. CH-Aviation also reports that Riyadh Air is interested in the China-bound 787-9s, that may not be taken up.

Xiamen Air's N242BE

Boeing is ferrying Xiamen Air's N242BE (c/n 64677, l/n 7690) from HSN back to BFI, via GUM and HNL, as BOE339. This 737-8 was not taken up by the airline in response to the trade disagreement happening between the US and China. N242BE will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Icelandair's TF-LLL

Icelandair's National Geographic-liveried 757-256, TF-LLL “Þríhnúkagígur” (c/n 29307, l/n 924), is making a stop at HNL as ICE1274 from IAD, via PDX.

TF-LLL was last here in March 2023.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 330002

330002 (msn 1653), an Airbus CC-330 (A330-243) Husky from the Royal Canadian Air Force's 437 Transport Squadron, is making a stop at HIK from YOW as CFC3455.

21 April 2025 UPDATE

CFC3455 departed for GUM this morning.

N578GC

Kamaka Air has acquired N578GC (msn 208B2153), and is making its delivery flight from VGT, via HII (Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu City, AZ) and SMX. This is their second C208B Grand Caravan, that will be used in the Kamaka Air Charter division.

N578GC's History:

Jun 2010: Delivered to Propel Aviation Leasing.

May 2018: Purchased by Walston Aviation LLC, and operated by Davonair, dba Tropic Air Express (Miami, FL).

Apr 2025: Acquired by Kamaka Air.

Xiamen Air's N230BE

Boeing is ferrying Xiamen Air's N230BE (c/n 64680, l/n 7439) from HSN back to BFI, via GUM and HNL, as BOE376. This 737-8 is being returned to Boeing, as Xiamen Air will not take delivery of it. It had originally ferried through KOA on 19 March.

FL360Aero.com reports of N230BE being not taken up by Xiamen Air on their Instagram post.

Alliance Airlines' N228JB

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N228JB (msn 19000030). This ERJ-190AR is being delivered by Southern Cross International as SXI2512. It's flying from SJO to BNE, via SDM, OAK, KOA, and MAJ, and is making an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

19000030's History

May 2006: Delivered to jetBlue as N228JB "Blue 4 U" (f/n 228) with the "Harlequin" tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Jly 2015: Tail livery repainted in the "Tartan" design, and renamed "Big Apple Blue".

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

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

Aug 2024: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services.

Oct 2024: Ferried to SJO for prep to Alliance Airlines.

China Halts Boeing Deliveries

The government of the People's Republic of China ordered their airlines not to take deliveries of any Boeing airliners due to the 145% tariff placed on imports on goods made in China. This was done in response to the trade dispute between the US and China.

Currently, Air China has four 737-8s, China Southern Airlines has eight 737-8s, China Eastern Airlines has one 737-8, Xiamen Air has four 737-8s, Shenzhen Airlines has three 737-8s, and Shanghai Airlines has one 737-8 remaining from their initial orders that have yet to be delivered.

There are also three 777-Fs for China Cargo Airlines, and two 777-Fs for Suparna Airlines on order. As for 787s, both China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines have four 787-9s on order; and Juneyao Airlines has one 787-9 awaiting delivery.

Further information in this Fox Business article, and this Aviation Week article.

Rhoades Aviation Cleared To Resume Operations

Rhoades Aviation, the 737-200F operations of Transair Hawaii, has been cleared to resume operations by the FAA. The airline stated that they are aiming for the restart in the fourth quarter of this year. Since Rhoades' operations were suspended following the crash of N810TA, and revocation of their operating certificate, the four remaining 737-200Fs sat at their hangar, or on their ramp.

The four remaining 737-200Fs are:

N306AL | 23066 | 992 | -2T4C/A

N326TR | 20917 | 344 | -210C/A

N737CS | 23272 | 1093 | -2T4C/A

N809TA | 23796 | 1420 | -209F/A

TransAir's 737-2Q8/A N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059) has continued to operate as this passenger 737 is separate from the Rhoades Aviation certificate.

Further details in this CH-Aviation.com article.

FedEx Feeder's N774FX

Corporate Air, the FedEx Feeder operator in Hawai‘i, had N774FX (msn 408-0037) ferried from VGT to HNL, via SMX, as CPT1981 last night. This is their first C408F SkyCourier to operate in the islands, and joins their local fleet that also has eight C208BF Grand Caravans. This FedEx Feeder operator has a total fleet of nine C408Fs, with more on order.

Corporate Air becomes the third SkyCourier freighter operator in Hawai‘i, next to Kamaka Air and Lānaʻi Air. N774FX was delivered in November 2024 from BEC to FAR, and entered service a month later.

Federal Express owns the C408Fs, and are leased to Corporate Air.

23 April 2025 UPDATE

N774FX begins test flights, as well as ground training at LIH today.

29 April 2025 UPDATE

N774FX enters service today with flight between HNL and LIH.

N561FA

Nomadic Aviation is ferrying N561FA (c/n 36351, l/n 2077) from CGO [Xinzheng international Airport, Zhengzhou, Henan, China] to BXM [Brunswick Executive Airport, Brunswick, ME], via GUM, OGG, and DTW, as OMD124. This 737-71B was acquired by Fortress Transportation (FTAI), and is scheduled to be parted out and scrapped.

36351's History:

Oct 2006: Delivered to China Southern Airlines as B-5233 (above photo).

May 2022: Sold to CALC, and leased back.

Jan 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at CGO.

Mar 2025: Acquired by FTAI.

Republic Airways To Acquire Mesa Airlines

Republic Airlines is acquiring Mesa Airlines in an all-stock purchase. These two airlines don't currently serve Hawai‘i in any capacity. However, in the mid-2000s, both airlines had inter-island service. Mesa's go! launched in 2006 with CRJ-200s, and ceased operations in 2014. Republic's Shuttle America provided ERJ-170s in 2008 under the Mokulele Airlines brand, and operated for a year. Mesa's go! also partnered with Mokulele, following the Republic pull-out.

Republic Airways Holdings will be the surviving brand in the merger, as they are the larger company. Republic flies regional service for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines; while Mesa's remaining regional partner was United.

Further details in this CH-Aviation article.

Sounds Air's ZK-PLV

Sounds Air (New Zealand) is ferrying ZK-PLV (msn 400) from AMZ [Ardmore Airport, Auckland, New Zealand] to the mainland, via AKL, APW, CXI, and HNL. This Pilatus PC-12/45 arrived last night from CXI, and will overnight at HNL. It's going to its new home in Alaska.

400's History:

Apr 2001: Built as HB-FQR.

Nov 2001: Delivered to Royal Flying Doctor Service as VH-VWO.

Jan 2017: Acquired by Sounds Air as ZK-PLV.

14 April 2025 UPDATE

Acquired by Gateway Air Center, and registered as N726KP.

25 April 2025 UPDATE

N726KP departed this morning for Gateway Air Center's headquarters at MCE.

Air China's N248BE

Boeing is ferrying Air China's N248BE (c/n 60938, l/n 8181) from BFI to HSN, via KOA and GUM, as BOE284. This 737-8 will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight. It will be re-registered after its cabin completion.

Korean Air's HL8515

Korean Air's HL8515 (c/n 66878, l/n 1152), the airline's first airliner in their new livery, is making its first appearance at HNL this morning. This 787-10 is making its rotation into Korean Air's KAL53/54 flights between ICN and HNL.

N330GR

N330GR (msn 447), an A320-231 owned by Beijing Eternity Technologies, is being ferried by Nomadic Aviation as OMD382. It's being ferried from TUS to FOC [Changle Airport, Fuzhou, China], via JRF, MAJ, and GUM. N330GR is making a brief fuel stop at JRF this afternoon. According to the Instagram post from Nomadic Aviation, this A320 will become a maintenance trainer.

447's History:

Dec 1993: Delivered to Dragonair as VR-HYU, under lease from ILFC.

Aug 1997: Re-registered as B-HYU, after Hong Kong was handed over to the People's Republic of China.

Mar 1999: Leased to Transmeridian Airlines as N447TM.

Apr 1999: Subleased to Aeropostal.

Mar 2001: Leased Skyservice Airlines, and subleased to Roots Air as C-FRAR.

Jun 2003: Leased to Mexicana Airlines as N447MX "Minatitlán".

Mar 2004: Re-registered as XA-UAH.

Oct 2011: Leased to Sky Airline as CC-ADO.

Oct 2015: Leased to Danish Air Transport as OY-RUS.

Dec 2018: Withdrawn from service, and stored at SOF.

Feb 2020: Ferried to TUS for storage, and acquired by Elevate Jet as N330GR, a month later.

Oct 2024: Acquired by Beijing Eternity Technologies.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82072

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100-150, UR-82072 "Be Brave Like Kherson" (c/n 9773053359136, l/n 07-05) is making a brief fuel stop at HNL from SFO, as ADB3943, which originated at DFW. It will continue onto PPG.

Hawaiian Airlines N782HA Enters Service

Hawaiian Airlines inducted N782HA into service this morning as HAL10 to LAX, and will return later today as HAL9. The airline revealed that N782HA's fleet name in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, is "Humu mā".

Lufthansa Cargo's D-ALCA

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Lufthansa Cargo's MD-11F, D-ALCA (c/n 48781, l/n 625), departing Runway 8R for AKL, when they flew cargo for Air New Zealand from FRA to AKL, with stops at ORD and HNL. The flight would continue westbound back to FRA.

48781's History:

Jun 1998: Delivered to Lufthansa Cargo as D-ALCA.

Aug 2021: Sold to Western Global Airlines as N781SN (f/n 781).

Dec 2022: Stored at RSW [Southwest Florida Airport, Fort Meyers, FL] for five months.

May 2023: Stored at SHV [Shreveport Regional Airport, Shreveport, LA].

Jan 2025: Returned to service with Western Global Airlines.

Coulson Aviation's N132CG

Coulson Aviation's C-130H, N132CG (msn 382-4338), is returning to its base at TRM, as CUL132. This aerial firefighter is ferrying from BQB [Busselton Regional Airport, Western Australia, Australia] to TRM, via XRH, PPG and KOA.