Tag Archives: HNL

Aloha Air Cargo adds two Boeing 737-300 freighters

Aloha Air Cargo (Honolulu) has announced the initiation of its fleet replacement plan with the purchase of two former Lufthansa Boeing 737-300SF all cargo converted aircraft. The first 737-300 (737-330 N301KH, msn 27904) was delivered on June 2, 2014 and recently entered operations with the second plane (737-330 N302KH, msn 27905) currently in its initial maintenance check, and scheduled to be delivered to Honolulu during the third quarter of this year – enhancing the carrier’s fleet mix to two Boeing 737-300s, two Boeing 737-200s, and three SAAB 340A turboprops.

The Boeing 737-300 boasts nine full cargo positions totaling upwards of 39,000 lbs of payload capacity; that is two positions and nearly 10,000 lbs more than its sister aircraft, the Boeing 737-200 that Aloha currently flies. With ETOPS (Extended Range Twin Operations) capability, more fuel efficient and quieter engines, and a greatly reduced environmental footprint, the airframe is superior in every way.

“Our current fleet of four Boeing 737-200 aircraft has served Aloha and our predecessor very well over the last several decades, but timing is key to begin transitioning to a newer airframe,” said Pat Rosa, Chief Operating Officer for Aloha Air Cargo. “We are excited to invest in the future of our company and its employees by adding the 737-300s to our fleet. With this addition, Aloha Air Cargo will continue to build upon its 30 year history for providing safe and reliable cargo services to our communities in Hawaii and beyond.”

Aloha Air Cargo delivers fast, economical and reliable transport of goods between the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Island of Hawaii. It became an independent cargo operator after the closure of Aloha Airlines passenger services in May 2008. Aloha Tech Ops is a division of Aloha Air Cargo and provides maintenance and engineering services to airlines in the State of Hawaii.

Aloha Air Cargo is owned by Seattle-based Saltchuk, which has been doing business in Hawaii since 2000 when it acquired Young Brothers/Hawaiian Tug & Barge. Committed to the welfare of Hawaii and strengthening the local economy, the company also acquired Hawaii Fuel Network, Maui Petroleum and Minit Stop Stores in 2006.

Copyright Photos: Aloha Air Cargo. Kahu Kordell Kekoa blessing the plane’s name: Kū Ha’aheo (meaning “to stand tall with unselfish pride”).

Aloha Air Cargo:

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Spring Airlines Japan to launch operations on June 27

Spring Airlines Japan (Tokyo-Narita) has announced it will commence scheduled passenger operations on June 27. The new airline was established in October 2012. The airline is 33 percent owned by Spring Airlines, a Chinese low-cost carrier, with the remainder held by various Japanese investors.

The first routes will be to Hiroshima, Saga and Takamatsu with three Boeing 737-800s per ZipanguFlyer.

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-86N JA03GR (msn 41272) passed through Honolulu on delivery.

Mokulele Airlines adds Honolulu-Kahului, Maui flights on April 1

Mokulele Airlines (Kona, Hawaii) began offering nonstop flights between Kahului, Maui and Honolulu on April 1 as part of its expansion plans for 2014. This summer, Mokulele will also begin offering service from Kalaeloa Airport on O’ahu which is located at the former Barber’s Point Naval Air Base John Rogers Field. To meet these expanding flight schedules, Mokulele is adding three new Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to its fleet.

Mokulele is also reassuring the public that it is separate from go! Airlines and is still operating despite the shutdown of go! on April 1. In 2011, Mokulele’s parent company, TransPac Aviation, purchased the turbo prop division of Mesa Air Group, the operator of go! Airlines. Since that time, Mokulele and go! have operated as two separate airlines, which is why Mokulele flight operations are not being affected by go!’s April 1 shutdown.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/AirlinersGallery.com. Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N841MA (msn 1084) “Spirit of Kona” waits for the next assignment at Honolulu International Airport (HNL).

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‘Ohana by Hawaiian launches its second route to Lana’i

‘Ohana by Hawaiian (Honolulu) yesterday (March 18) launched its inaugural flight to Lana’i, the second of two islands it has returned to the Hawaiian Airlines network. The Lana’i service will operate twice daily using a 48-seat ATR 42 aircraft operated by Empire Airlines (Idaho). Last week, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian also launched thrice-daily service between Honolulu and Moloka’i.

The departure of Flight HA 612 to Lana’i Airport was preceded by remarks from Hawaiian Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Peter Ingram, followed by a traditional Hawaiian blessing at the gate.

The daily flights are scheduled below:

HONOLULU-LANA’I

Flight	Route	Departs	Arrives	Start Date
HA612	HNL-LNY	9:30 a.m.	10:00 a.m.	March 18, 2014
HA616	HNL-LNY	2:40 p.m.	3:10 p.m.	March 18, 2014

LANA’I-HONOLULU

Flight	Route	Departs	Arrives	Start Date
HA613	LNY-HNL	10:40 a.m.	11:10 a.m.	March 18, 2014
HA617	LNY-HNL	3:50 p.m.	4:20 p.m.	March 18, 2014

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. ATR 42-500 N804HC (msn 623) operated by Empire Airlines taxies at Honolulu.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian:

‘Ohana by Hawaiian starts operations

‘Ohana by Hawaiian (Honolulu), Hawai’i’s newest interisland operation, yesterday (March 11) launched its inaugural turboprop service to Moloka’i, the first of two islands it will return to the Hawaiian Airlines network. Twice daily service between Honolulu and Lana’i will be launched on March 18.

The arrival of flight HA 614 into Moloka’i Airport was followed by a cultural exchange featuring an oli kahea (chant of admission) presented by Hawaiian Airlines and ‘Ohana by Hawaiian staff asking for permission to enter the community, and an oli aloha (chant of welcome) from the Hawaiian language immersion students of Punana Leo o Moloka’i and ‘O Hina i ka Malama, and the seniors of Alu Like, Inc.’s Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna. Remarks were given by renowned Hilo-based artist Sig Zane, who designed the livery of the aircraft; Tim Komberec, president and chief executive officer of Empire Airlines; Moloka’i Senator Kalani English, chair of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs; Stacy Crivello, Maui County council member; Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines president and chief executive officer; and Hadden Watt, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian managing director.

The festivities also included a lu’au with nearly 500 Moloka’i residents in attendance, live Hawaiian entertainment, tours of the aircraft and a blessing prior to the departure of flight HA 615 to Honolulu.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian will offer three daily flights between Honolulu and Moloka’i using a 48-seat ATR 42 aircraft. The daily flights, operated by Empire Airlines, are scheduled below:

HONOLULU-MOLOKA’I

Flight	Route	Departs	Arrives	Start Date
HA610	HNL-MKK	7:00 a.m.	7:25 a.m.	March 12, 2014
HA614	HNL-MKK	12:15 p.m.	12:40 p.m.	March 12, 2014
HA618	HNL-MKK	5:30 p.m.	5:55 p.m.	March 11, 2014

MOLOKA’I-HONOLULU

Flight	Route	Departs	Arrives	Start Date
HA611	MKK-HNL	8:05 a.m.	8:30 a.m.	March 12, 2014
HA615	MKK-HNL	1:20 p.m.	1:45 p.m.	March 11, 2014
HA619	MKK-HNL	6:35 p.m.	7:00 p.m.	March 11, 2014

HONOLULU-LANA’I

Flight	Route	Departs	Arrives	Start Date
HA612	HNL-LNY	9:30 a.m.	10:00 a.m.	March 18, 2014
HA616	HNL-LNY	2:40 p.m.	3:10 p.m.	March 18, 2014

LANA’I-HONOLULU

Flight	Route	Departs	Arrives	Start Date
HA613	LNY-HNL	10:40 a.m.	11:10 a.m.	March 18, 2014
HA617	LNY-HNL	3:50 p.m.	4:20 p.m.	March 18, 2014

The livery of ‘Ohana by Hawaiian’s aircraft was created by Sig Zane and his son Kuha’o, who both used Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland route map as inspiration for the design, weaving three kapa patterns: piko (navel), representing ancestry and progeny; manu (bird), representing both a bird in flight and the prow of a canoe, the traditional form of migration; and kalo (taro), representing family. The ATR 42 aircraft are named after a significant wind on each of the islands that ‘Ohana by Hawaiian will serve: Holo Kaomi of Paoma’i, Lana’i; Kaiaulu of Wai’anae, O’ahu; and Hikipua of Halawa, Moloka’i.

The ‘Ohana by Hawaiian operation creates more than 100 new Hawai’i-based jobs in various areas of air transportation including pilots, flight attendants and mechanics as well as ground-handling and customer service positions. Hawaiian Airlines handles reservations and sales for the new operation, allowing the interisland flights to integrate seamlessly into Hawaiian Airlines’ well-established route network. The new service operates out of gates 49 and 50 at Honolulu International Airport.

Hawaiian Airlines last flew to Moloka’i and Lana’i in 2004, operating on a Boeing 717-200 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group/AirlinersGallery.com. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian’s N804HC (msn 623) operated by Empire Airlines (Idaho) is pictured starting to taxi out as flight HA 614 to MKK on its first flight.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian:

Hawaiian Airlines to suspend flights to Taipei in April, will start service to Beijing

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced plans to suspend its thrice-weekly service to Taipei, Taiwan in April and reassign that route’s 294-seat Airbus 330-200 aircraft to its nonstop service to Seoul, South Korea, which will operate five times per week.

Up-gauging to the newer A330-200 aircraft will provide South Korean passengers with enhanced amenities including in-seat in-flight entertainment throughout the aircraft and the airline’s new Extra Comfort preferred seating product. The new aircraft will be available on all flights to Incheon International Airport from April 23, 2014.

Hawaiian Airlines flight HA 807 will operate its final flight from Honolulu to Taipei on Sunday, April 6, 2014. Return Flight HA808 will operate for the final time on Monday, April 7, 2014 from Taipei to Honolulu. Hawaiian Airlines’ reservations department will be contacting passengers booked to fly after that date to accommodate them on other airlines.

Also in April, Hawaiian Airlines will launch thrice-weekly service to Beijing, China, subject to government approval, its 10^th international gateway launched since November 2010. The airline has also scheduled new nonstop summer service from Los Angeles and Oakland, California to Kona, Hawai‘i Island and Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i.

Hawaiian Airlines:

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SilkAir introduces a new brand campaign with its first Boeing 737-800

SilkAir (Singapore) introduced its first Boeing 737-800 into revenue service yesterday (February 20) with the 737-8SA 9V-MGA (man 44217). The carrier is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The subsidiary of Singapore Airlines has also rolled out a new brand campaign emphasizing its full-service amenities. The carrier issued this statement:

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has launched a new brand campaign that looks to rekindle the joy of flying. Moving away from the idea of travel as being purely transactional, the campaign focuses on how Asia’s most awarded regional carrier creates journeys worth taking by offering customers a seamless and enjoyable travel experience at all times.

From check-in to touch down, the full-service carrier caters to the needs of the well-travelled global customer, providing comfort and convenience to those looking to explore Asia’s newest frontiers. Titled ‘A Joy to Fly’, the campaign redefines true value for the discerning traveller, emphasising and bringing to life the many benefits that SilkAir offers through a set of distinctive icons that feature across all the ads.

Having established its personable and warm in-flight service in its previous campaign ‘Feel at Home in the Air’, SilkAir aims to further differentiate itself and cement its positioning as a full-service carrier. The new regional campaign presents a visual display of a range of these benefits, including 30kg and 40kg baggage allowance for Economy and Business class respectively, inflight meals, reliable flight schedule, the KrisFlyer frequent flyer programme and through check-in service. Additionally, a wireless inflight entertainment system that is currently on trial will progressively be rolled out from Q2 2014. This new system will allow for free wireless streaming of blockbuster hits, short features as well as chart-topping music to customers’ laptops and personal handheld devices, keeping them entertained throughout the flight.

“SilkAir has always endeavoured to deliver a flying experience that is enjoyable and assuring, by placing our customers’ needs at the forefront of our product offerings. With the aim of celebrating the joy of flying, our new campaign is a reflection of the commitment and effort that goes into ensuring that every single detail – from the check-in process to entertainment and meals on-board – makes it a joy for customers to fly with SilkAir,” said SilkAir’s Vice President, Commercial, Mr. Ryan Pua.

Beyond functional benefits, the campaign also illustrates the joy of flying by highlighting SilkAir’s extensive network of 47 exotic destinations around the region, as well as the seamless connectivity between Singapore Airlines and SilkAir that customers can enjoy.

Created in conjunction with SilkAir’s 25th anniversary and the delivery of the airline’s first Boeing 737-800, the campaign is set to run on print, out-of-home and digital platforms. The advertisements are currently on display at City Hall MRT station platforms.

To mark the launch of the campaign, SilkAir will also hold an online contest where fans can either visit silkair.com/ajoytofly or scan the QR code located below each aircraft window on the City Hall MRT platform to stand a chance to fly to their dream destination on SilkAir’s new Boeing planes by voting for their top 3 dream destinations. The contest closes on March 13, 2014, with 12 Economy Class return tickets up for grabs.

On top of dressing the airline’s first Boeing 737-800 in a specially designed livery to commemorate its silver anniversary, SilkAir will also be rewarding its customers with special promotional deals later this month, with 250,000 tickets made available at special rates for customers in Singapore and across the region.

The number of destinations includes two new destinations, Kalibo and Mandalay, which will be launched on May 27, 2014 and June 10, 2014 respectively.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Brand new Boeing 737-8SA 9V-MGA passes through Honolulu on its delivery routing on February 10, 2014.

Video:

SilkAir:

Island Air to drop Molokai, Ohana by Hawaiian steps in

Island Air (Honolulu) will discontinue all passenger service to the island of Molokai and redeploy the ATR 72 to another route starting on April 1 per the Star Advertiser.

The decision was probably influenced by the plans of Ohana by Hawaiian to serve the route starting on March 11 from Honolulu.

Island Air now only serves three routes from Honolulu.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Freshly repainted ATR 72-210 N342AT (msn 345) displays the new 2014 livery at the Honolulu base.

Island Air:

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Island Air introduces a new “pineapple” color scheme

Island Air (Hawaii) (Honolulu) has introduced a new colorful livery. The first aircraft to wear the new livery is this former American Eagle-Executive Airlines ATR 72-210 registered as N342AT (msn 345). The turboprop is named “Lana’i”. This new look replaces the short-lived 2012 “Lei” color scheme. N342AT was painted this month on the mainland.

Oracle Corporation’s CEO Larry Ellison acquired most of the island of Lanai from David H. Murdock. On February 26, 2013, Island Air announced the sale of the airline to Ellison. Ellison appointed Paul Casey, former CEO of Hawaiian Airlines and President of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau as the company’s new President and CEO. Casey has trimmed routes and settled on the ATR 72 to serve its routes in Hawaii.

The island airline issued this statement:

Island Air has introduced its new logo. The new symbol for the airline is the native ‘i‘iwi bird, which was prized by the Hawaiian ali‘i.

“The new logo is part of our company’s restructuring to align ourselves with an improved and enhanced level of service,” said Island Air CEO Paul Casey. “It symbolizes a revitalized company with deep roots in Hawaiʻi and a strong commitment to the community and our customers.”

Signage with the new logo has already been installed at airport ticket counters in Honolulu, Līhuʻe, Kahului, Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. The new logo will be phased in over the next several months, and also be reflected in Island Air’s digital and print communications, collateral, vehicles, and on the airline’s ATR 72 64-seater aircraft.

The ‘i‘iwi bird is a species of the Hawaiian honeycreeper found on the islands of Hawai‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i. It holds a special place in Hawaiian culture. One of Hawaiʻi’s most beautiful birds, the ʻiʻiwi was prized by Hawaiians for its striking vermillion feathers, which were used to make feather capes, helmets and other symbols of Hawaiian royalty.

Island Air also announced its support of The Nature Conservancy, by joining the Hawaiʻi Nature Conservancy’s Corporate Council, for the Environment, as a Corporate Conservator. Island Air’s donation will be used as part of The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to protect and preserve the native habitat of the i’iwi, a threatened indigenous Hawaiʻi species, found in Nature Conservancy preserves on Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.

“The Nature Conservancy is devoted to protecting Hawaii’s native forest habitat for all native species of animals and plants including the ‘i‘iwi,” said Suzanne Case, The Nature Conservancy’s Hawaiʻi executive director. “Not only are these forest areas critical to the survival of Hawaiʻi’s globally unique creatures, they are also the source of all the fresh water for our islands. We are thrilled and grateful to welcome Island Air into the Conservancy’s distinguished roster of sponsors from the business community.”

The new logo was designed by Wall-to-Wall Studios in Honolulu.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. N342AT shines on the ramp at the Honolulu International Airport after its long ferry flight from the mainland.

Island Air (Hawaii):

Current Route Map: Island Air has scaled back its operations since the Larry Ellison takeover.

Makani Kai Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashes into the water off of Molokai’s north shore, one dead

Makani Kai Air (Makani Kai Helicopters) (Honolulu) Cessna 208B Gran Caravan N687MA (msn 1002) (above) carrying eight passengers and a pilot crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the north shore of Molokai, Hawaii yesterday afternoon. State Health Department Director Loretta Fuddy died in the ditching. The single engine Caravan had departed from Kalaupapa bound for the Honolulu base.

According to the charter airline the company has been “providing air charter, air tours, aircraft management and aircraft maintenance since 1988”.

The airline specializes in aerial tours of Molokai from other points in Hawaii. Here is the information on this “Kalaupapa Experience” tour from the airline’s website:

Read the full story from the Star Advertiser in Honolulu: CLICK HERE

Dramatic video of the Caravan ditching:

Video of a typical Molokai aerial tour:

Top Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. The ill-fated Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N687MA (msn 1002) taxies at Honolulu on October 25, 2013 (all others by Makani Kai Air).