Transair (Hawaii) (RDS, Honolulu) has announced it aims to resume inter-island air cargo service in Hawaii by late 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
In a statement on April 9, Rhoades Aviation Inc. (RAI) trading as Transair, said an administrative law judge of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had ruled in favour of RAI and dismissed with prejudice the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) order by which it revoked the airline's air carrier certificate.
"The NTSB judge also directed, and the FAA and RAI have agreed, that Rhoades Aviation and the FAA will work together on RAI’s efforts to resume its cargo air transportation services," the company said.
VP of Operations Tracy Reasoner refused to comment any further on the operational relaunch plans for the time being.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) revoked Transair's certificate of public convenience and necessity in May 2023, citing as the reason the carrier's dormancy since July 16, 2021, following the crash of its B737-200C on July 2, 2021.
The FAA had grounded RAI due to maintenance and safety issues unrelated to the crash shortly afterwards, and on January 30, 2023, had revoked its air operator's certificate (AOC) citing reasons of safety and public interest.
DOT regulations require an airline to resume operations within one year of cessation, but it may not resume services nor advertise until its fitness has been re-determined by the department. The DOT allowed the company to re-apply for certificate authority when it was ready to recommence operations.
"We look forward to doing now what we have wanted all along: to work collaboratively with the FAA so that Transair can provide vitally important cargo air transportation for the benefit of Hawaii’s residents, communities, and businesses,” commented founder and CEO Teimour Riahi. "We remain committed to upholding the highest safety standards as we work to restore Hawaii’s only locally owned Part 121 airline."
