Tag Archives: HNL

Island Air is sold to a mysterious new owner

Island Air (Honolulu) has disclosed it has entered into an agreement to sell the company to an undisclosed new operator (Empire Airlines?). The new owner should take control of the company within six to eight weeks according to the current management.

Hawaiian Airlines is getting ready to start its inter-island ATR feeder operation with Empire Airlines and Empire may be interested in consolidating with Island Air. If not, the new owners will have to compete against the new Hawaiian/Empire operation.

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

Copyright Photo Below: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. This colorful new 2012 livery for the airline could be short-lived if the new owners decide to retire the Island Air brand. The first ATR 72-212 (now N941WP, msn 349) arrived at the pictured Honolulu base on September 23, 2012. The airframe was formerly operated by American Eagle Airlines-Executive Airlines as N348AE.

Island Air:

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Shenzhen Airlines joins the Star Alliance today

Shenzhen Airlines (Shenzhen) today became the latest carrier to join the Star Alliance network. At a ceremony held at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance, welcomed the airline into the family on behalf on the Alliance’s Chief Executive Board (CEB).

“Shenzhen Airlines is China’s fifth largest carrier and strengthens the Star Alliance presence in China and across Asia. Our customers now benefit from improved access throughout the economically important Pearl River Delta and across southern China. Shenzhen Airlines at the same time gains access to a global network with enhanced benefits for its passengers; truly a win-win situation,” said Mark Schwab.

Adding Shenzhen Airlines to the network is part of Star Alliance’s strategy of improving access to current and future growth markets, thus providing the international traveller with more destinations and flights. In the case of China, the foundation for this strategy was set many years ago, by those Star Alliance member carriers who have been successfully serving this market for several decades. In December 2007 the Alliance added China’s Flag carrier Air China to the network.

Feng Gang, the president of Shenzhen Airlines said: “Today is filled with joy for all of us at Shenzhen Airlines. After 16 months of integration work, we have become a Star Alliance member. We know that today no single airline alone can tend to the needs of the international traveler. By joining Star Alliance we can now offer our customers global reach, while at the same time placing Shenzhen firmly on the map of world-wide air travel. We are proud to proclaim that Shenzhen Airport, serving the 4th largest city in China, is now the newest Star Alliance Hub, from which we will make our mark not only in China, but across the Asia-Pacific region.”

Air China Chairman Wang Chengshun said: “As Shenzhen Airlines’ mentor, we are delighted to see that Shenzhen Airlines in the last 20 years has achieved substantial growth. We believe that Shenzhen Airlines will leverage alliance resources to improve its own competitiveness, and to realise its strategic target of being a large network carrier covering Asian and intercontinental destinations with its hub in Shenzhen”.

As a Star Alliance member, Shenzhen Airlines offers its customers access to a global network, along with seamless travel and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.

The airline adds some 400 daily flights to 70 destinations to the Star Alliance network. Among these are five new destinations in China: Juzhou (Zhejiang Province), Linyi, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuang, and Zhoushan. In addition to improving connectivity from its home base in Shenzhen, international passengers benefit from a wider choice of transfer flights in China when connection via the international airports in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai – Pudong. As part of seamless travel customer promise, Shenzhen Airlines offers through check-in for passengers connecting to and from other Star Alliance member airlines flights. On a global basis, the 27 Star Alliance member carriers now offer more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,329 destinations in 194 countries.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Brand new Boeing 737-87L B-5671 (msn 39153) passes through Honolulu on delivery.

Shenzhen Airlines:

Hawaiian Airlines arrives in Brisbane with a special salute to the Southern Cross

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) yesterday (November 27) continued its expansion into new international markets, with the launch of nonstop service to Brisbane, Australia, capital city of the State of Queensland.

Passengers on the inaugural flight departing Honolulu enjoyed a festive island-style send-off, featuring live Hawaiian music and hula, a traditional Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu of Kaumakapili Church, and fresh flower lei upon boarding.

Brisbane is the second gateway city in Australia for the carrier. Hawaiian also offers nonstop daily flights between Sydney and Honolulu using its 294-seat, wide-body, twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Hawaiian is the only U.S. carrier serving Brisbane, giving travelers in Hawai’i and throughout North America a convenient new travel alternative for experiencing the scenic beauty of Queensland – Australia’s “Sunshine State.”

Centrally located on Australia’s east coast, Brisbane is the gateway to a host of appealing sites and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, world heritage listed rainforests, the iconic Outback territory, and the renowned leisure destinations of Australia’s Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

Hawaiian’s Flight HA 443 will depart Honolulu at 10:20 a.m. (1020) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, cross the international dateline, and arrive in Brisbane at 4:00 p.m. (1600) the following day.

Starting November 28, the return flight HA 444 will depart Brisbane at 6:35 p.m. (1835) every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, cross the international dateline, and arrive in Honolulu at 8:05 a.m. (0805) the same day.

Hawaiian will operate its Honolulu-Brisbane service offering the comfort and roominess of its wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, seating 264 passengers in a two-class cabin, with 18 in Business Class and 246 in the Main Cabin.

The inaugural flight from Honolulu to Brisbane is also honoring the famed transpacific flight of the Southern Cross, which in June 1928 – the year before Hawaiian was founded – became the first aircraft to fly from Hawai’i to Brisbane.

Originating from Oakland, California, the Southern Cross captured international headlines with its successful completion of the world’s longest journey by air at the time.

Flown by Australian aviation pioneers Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm, the tri-engine Fokker monoplane took approximately 83 hours to fly from Kaua’i to Brisbane’s Eagle Farm airfield, stopping en route in Fiji for the pilots to take a one-day rest break.

In honor of Kingsford Smith and Ulm’s pioneering flight, Hawaiian has placed a commemorative image of the Southern Cross near the cockpit window of the Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft operating the inaugural flight.

Brisbane is the seventh of eight new destinations that Hawaiian has introduced or announced new service to since November 2010, following Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; and New York City. Hawaiian will launch service to Auckland, New Zealand, on March 13, 2013.

Hawaiian’s continuing growth into new markets and expansion of existing operations in North America has been fueled by its long-haul fleet renewal and expansion program that began in June 2010. Since then, the company has welcomed nine new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to its fleet, and is scheduled to introduce 13 more A330s into service between 2013 and 2015.

Copyright Photo: PRNewsFoto/Hawaiian Airlines. Capt. Todd Mihara flashes a “shaka” sign, signaling ‘all clear’ from the cockpit of Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural flight to Brisbane, Australia moments before departure from Honolulu on November 27. Below the cockpit window of Boeing 767-3CB ER N588HA (msn 33466) is a commemorative image of the Southern Cross in tribute to the pioneering flight between Hawaii and Brisbane in 1928, piloted by Australian aviators Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm. Sister ship N589HA also wears the special logo.

Hawaiian Airlines:

SkyTeam welcomes Xiamen Airlines

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, yesterday (November 21) welcomed China’s Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) as its 19^th member. Xiamen Airlines is also the fourth member from Greater China. The airline strengthens SkyTeam’s footprint in China and its overall #1 position in the Greater China Region by adding three new hubs – Xiamen, Fuzhou and Hangzhou – combined with a comprehensive domestic and growing international network.

China’s sixth largest carrier, Xiamen Airlines is also one of the world’s most profitable, having posted positive financial results for 26 consecutive years. The airline flies more than 15 million passengers annually to more than 50 cities including Macau, Hong Kong and Taipei. Founded in 1984, it is headquartered in the coastal city of Xiamen in the dynamic province of Fujian. This area of China boasts a thriving and diverse industrial economy as well as a growing tourism market.

Xiamen Airlines’ fast expanding international network includes Southeast and Northeast Asia and the airline has announced plans to launch flights to Europe, North America and Australasia by 2014 after the introduction of the Boeing 787. SkyTeam membership offers Xiamen Airlines’ customers greater connectivity onto international routes from China operated by other alliance members. This includes carriers from the region: China Airlines, China Eastern and China Southern, and nine additional SkyTeam airlines: Aeromexico, Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Delta, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Brand new Boeing 737-85C B-5658 (msn 38395) passes through Honolulu on its long delivery flight across the Pacific Ocean. B-5658 also displays the new 2012 livery which shortened the titles to Xiamen Air.

Xiamen Air:

Island Air takes delivery of its first ATR 72 and introduces a new look

Island Air (Hawaii) (Honolulu) has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-200. The pictured former American Eagle Airlines (Executive Airlines) ATR 72-212 registered as N348AE (msn 349) arrived at the pictured Honolulu base on September 23. N348AE will become N941WP with Island Air. The new type also introduces this new livery.

Route Map:

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Lion Air celebrates its 70th Boeing Next-Generation 737 with a new logojet

Lion Air (Jakarta) is celebrating the hand over and acceptance of its 70th Boeing Next-Generation 737 with a new logojet.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K Nishimura. The pictured Boeing 737-9GP ER registered as PK-LJZ (msn 37296) was handed over to the Indonesian carrier on August 9 and is pictured passing through Honolulu on the same day.

Hot New Photos:

Lion Air:

Xiamen Airlines introduces a new brand

Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) on July 21 took possession of brand new Boeing 737-85C B-5653 (msn 38391). The arrival has ushered in a new era for the Chinese carrier. The company took the opportunity to introduce this new look which also includes calling the airline “Xiamen Air”.

Xiamen Air:

Hawaiian Airlines to establish an inter-island subsidiary

Hawaiian Airlines‘ (Honolulu) parent company, Hawaiian Holdings, has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire turbo-prop aircraft with the aim of establishing a subsidiary carrier to serve routes not currently in Hawaiian’s neighbor island system.

The announcement came in a press release about lower inter-island fares. Hawaiian Airlines has implemented a new fare structure for neighbor island travel that lowers ticket prices across all of its fare classes from 4 to 25 percent.

Under the new fare structure, the lowest fare for a one-way nonstop interisland flight (including taxes and mandatory federal fees) is $65 for travel from Honolulu to Kahului and Lihu’e.

The new fare structure complements the additional neighbor island capacity and routes Hawaiian introduced earlier this year. Over the past year, Hawaiian has increased capacity by 13 percent and created a Maui hub to increase service between the Valley Isle, Kaua’i and Hawai’i Island. The turbo-prop subsidiary will allow Hawaiian to further expand capacity with daily flights to rural areas.

Hawaiian has operated turboprops in the past including the de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7 for its inter-island services.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura. Today Hawaiian operates the Boeing 717 on its inter-island network. Boeing 717-22A N475HA taxies at the HNL hub.

Hawaiian Airlines:

Hawaiian Airlines to fly to New Zealand

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced it will open a new international gateway to New Zealand with new nonstop service between Honolulu and Auckland three days weekly beginning on March 13, 2013.

The company’s market research indicates that Hawaii is an underserved market for New Zealand, as tourism figures show there are currently 30 percent fewer visitor arrivals coming from New Zealand than in 1999 when more nonstop flights were offered between the two destinations. In addition, New Zealand residents made more than one million trips to the South Pacific and Asia in 2011.

Hawaiian’s new service will add more than 40,000 seats annually between Auckland and Hawaii.

According to Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the New Zealand market is a strong source of visitors for Hawaii. In 2011, Hawaii received 20,730 arrivals from New Zealand – an increase of 15.4% compared to 2010 – which were responsible for generating $38 million in visitor expenditures. Year-to-date through May 2012, arrivals from New Zealand have increased by 5.1% year-over-year.

Hawaiian will operate the Auckland-Honolulu flights using its fleet of wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, seating 264 passengers – 18 in Business Class and 246 in the Main Cabin.

Auckland will be the eighth new destination that Hawaiian has introduced or announced new service to since November 2010, following Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo (October 30, 2012), Japan; Seoul, South Korea; New York City, and Brisbane, Australia (November 27, 2012).

Hawaiian’s growth into new markets and expansion of existing operations in North America has been fueled by its long-haul fleet renewal and expansion program that began in June 2010. Since then, the company has welcomed nine new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to its fleet, and is scheduled to introduce five more A330s into service in 2013.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura. Boeing 767-3G5 ER N586HA (msn 24259) climbs away from Honolulu International Airport.

Hawaiian Airlines:

Route Map:

GE Capital Aviation Services to lease 10 new Boeing 737-800s to China Southern Airlines in 2014

GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS) (Stamford, CT), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, announced it will lease 10 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft to China Southern Airlines (Ghangzhou) as part of the airline’s fleet renewal program.

The 10 aircraft come from GECAS’ existing order book with Boeing and are scheduled for delivery in 2014.

China Southern has been a GECAS customer since the early 1990s. It is one of the largest airlines in Asia with a fleet of more than 400 aircraft flying to more than 200 destinations.

China Southern: