Hawaiian to launch A330F ops in 4Q23, mulls more B787s

Hawaiian Airlines' B717s to be replaced with MAX - report

The planned USD1.9 billion buyout of Hawaiian Airlines (HA, Honolulu) by Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) could eventually see B737 MAX stock replace Hawaiian's workhorse B717-200s on inter-island routes.

The Beat of Hawaii outlet notes that the investor presentation accompanying the merger announcement earlier this week says Hawaiian's B717 fleet has nearly half its flight cycle remaining but could eventually be replaced by B737s.

Hawaiian's 19-strong fleet of B717-200s has an average age of 21.9 years. According to ch-aviation fleets advanced data, the youngest has completed just over 30,800 flight cycles, while the oldest has done almost 76,500 cycles. The aircraft link key Hawaiian airports, including Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Kona, and Lihue. Except for the B717s, Hawaiian is an Airbus airline, with the remainder of its fleet comprising eighteen A321-200Ns, twenty-four A330-200s, and one A330-300(P2F). It also has eight A330-300s on order.

In contrast, Alaska Airlines is a Boeing operator. Twenty-four of its 252 aircraft are Airbus types,...

Editorial Comment: The article updates with details on the A330 plans. - 08.12.2023 - 20:44 UTC

Alaska Air Group to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9bn

Alaska Air Group has agreed to acquire Hawaiian Airlines (HA, Honolulu) from Hawaiian Holdings for approximately USD1.9 billion, including assuming USD900 million of the Honolulu-based carrier's net debt. Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) and Hawaiian Airlines will continue to operate under their own brands.

The transaction has already been approved by both carriers' boards but has yet to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. Hawaiian Holdings will seek the nod from its shareholders in the first quarter of 2024. The closing of the deal is expected to take 12 to 18 months. On completion, the combined firm will be based in Seattle, with Ben Minicucci, the current chief executive of Alaska Air Group, continuing in his role.

With the merger, Honolulu will become Alaska Airlines' seventh base, following Seattle Tacoma International, Anchorage Ted Stevens, Los Angeles International, Portland International, San Diego International, and San Francisco. The carrier currently operates 195 weekly flights on 24 routes to Hawai'i, serving Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, and Lihue...

Hawaiian Airlines extends A330 leases to offset P&W issues

Hawaiian Airlines (HA, Honolulu) expects up to four of its A321-200Ns to be grounded at any one time because of the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine recall issue.

Hawaiian operates eighteen A321-200Ns on routes to California, Nevada, and Oregon, as well as some inter-island flights. Presently, two of those aircraft are grounded and awaiting engine inspections. Calling it a "significant near-term challenge," CEO Peter Ingram told an earnings call the airline had also seen several engine removals not associated with the powdered metal inspection issue, saying those removals had contributed to an increased flight cancellation in the early days of the current quarter.

"We expect to have between two and four aircraft out of service at any point in time over the next few months," Ingram said, adding that the current schedules can accommodate up to four out of service aircraft. "We expect the situation for 2024 will improve as our engine inventory will be bolstered by the return of several engines that are already in the MRO pipeline.

In July, Pratt...

Billionaire owner of US's defunct Island Air lost $67mn

Billionaire Larry Ellison lost more than USD67 million in his now-defunct Island Air (Hawaii) (Honolulu) and could be liable for USD30 million more in backpay penalties, unpaid debts, and potential punitive damages, reports Hawaii News Now.

Ellison was testifying last week in a jury trial in the Hawaii District Court in the 2019 case (1:19-cv-00574-JAO-RT) filed by bankruptcy trustee Elizabeth Kane representing creditors, and two unions representing Island Air’s employees, the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), and the Hawaii Teamsters.

The complainants charge that Island Air’s owners acted in self interest when they allowed Island Air to go bankrupt and closed down the carrier without giving its 400 employees the required 60-day notice, and withholding final pay cheques and medical aid premiums.

Defendants include PaCap Aviation Finance, LLC; PacificCap Investment Management, LLC; Malama Investments, LLC; Snowbiz Ventures, LLC; PaCap Management Solutions, LLC; PaCap Advisors, LLC; Jeffrey Au; Jack Tsui; Jack Chuck She Tsui Trust; Lawrence Investments, LLC; Lawrence J. Ellison Revocable Trust; Ohana Airline Holdings, LLC; Carbonview Limited,...