Two executives with pilot’s licenses were flying the Allegiant Air jet that made an emergency landing at a closed airport because it nearly ran out of fuel.

Allegiant spokeswoman Jessica Wheeler said Thursday that management pilots routinely operate flights to maintain their pilot certification and track day-to-day operations. Vice president of flight operations Greg Baden and director of flight safety Michael Wuerger were at the controls of the July 23 flight with 144 passengers on board, the airline said. The plane left Las Vegas more than an hour behind schedule. By the time it reached its intended destination of Fargo, N.D., that airport was temporarily closed so the Navy’s Blue Angels flight team could practice for an air show.

According to a recording, one of the pilots told an air traffic controller he didn’t have enough fuel to reach another airport and couldn’t wait 20 minutes — he would declare an emergency and land. Federal rules require airlines to carry enough fuel to reach their destination or another airport with a reserve of 45 minutes worth of fuel. The plane landed safely in Fargo. Wheeler said the pilot meant he had less than 20 minutes before dipping into the 45-minute reserve. She said Allegiant believed the Fargo closure included an exception for scheduled passenger flights.

On The Move

» YMCA of Honolulu Kalihi Y Branch has promoted Kyle Ishizaka to executive director. He was previously an associate executive director and clinical director of the Kalihi Y Branch. Ishizaka has 19 years of experience and leadership in working with at-risk and underserved youth at the Kalihi Y Branch, Outreach Programs as well as Waianae Y Program Operations. In 1996 he began at Kalihi Y, and he served as an outreach counselor and substance abuse treatment counselor for four years.

» Hawaiian Airlines has appointed Peter Clark to system chief pilot. He joined Hawaiian Airlines in 2009 as a B767 first officer and was promoted to senior flight operations duty officer. Clark’s experience includes working with Air Molokai, OK Air and Royal Hawaiian Air Service as well as Aloha Airlines, where he served as a check airman, B737 first officer, check airman, chief pilot, captain and vice president for flight operations.

Ship Ahoy!

Friday’s ship arrivals and departures: