Island Air Says Aloha ‘Oe To JHM

Island Air bid farewell to JHM today. MKU514 made the last in-bound flight that arrived at 1633HST, and MKU515 departed JHM at 1712HST. As the Dash8 fleet is being replaced by their new ATR72s, and with no ATR42s on the horizon, the airline decided to close their Kapalua Airport Station, and will concentrate their Maui operations at OGG.

US Air Force's E-4B

One of the four E-4Bs operated by the U.S. Air Force, arrived this afternoon. 75-0125 (c/n 20949, l/n 257) was captured on its way taxiing to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Shenzhen's B-5736

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5736 (c/n 39132, l/n 4470) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ901.

Mahalo to team member Je89 W for the photo.

Fiji Airways DQ-FJG

Fiji's flagship airline, Air Pacific will re-launch as Fiji Airways starting in June 2013 to coincide with the delivery of three new A330-243s. Air Pacific's fleet of 737s have begun to receive the new livery.

Seen above is a freshly painted 737-8X2, DQ-FJG (c/n 29968, l/n 275) departing as FJI823 to Cassidy International (PLCH/CXI), Kiritimati (Christmas Island).

Batik's PK-LBO

Batik Air is taking delivery of PK-LBO (c/n 38731, l/n 4463) today. The 737-9GPER made an early morning stopover at HNL this morning as BTK1.

Team member hal763 got the photo above at HNL, and team member Drewski2112 got a photo of PK-LBO at BFI.

Shandong's B-5728

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5728 (c/n 40020, l/n 4466) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5728. It was originally ordered by parent company, Air China, but was allocated to its subsidiary, hence the Air China Boeing Customer Code.

China Southern's B-5741

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5741 (c/n 38945, l/n 4464) today. This is the fourth 737-81B for the airline this month, and is making its delivery flight as CSN481.

Skymark's JA73NT

Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of JA73NT (c/n 41264, l/n 4460) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as SKY73NT (above). Its second leg is scheduled to go from HNL to GUM.

N799AL's New Home

N799AL's new home is now at the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point on the west end of JRF. Presently, it's parked near the row of former US Navy jets. It will be a "living display", as the the DC-8-62CF is still airworthy, and the museum will work to keep it so.

The Hawaii DC-8 Display has their own Facebook page.

HNL RareBirds extends a big mahalo to the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point for the opportunity to photograph N799AL.

more photos to follow ...

ASA843 Diversion To HNL

After a report of a blown tire after takeoff from SEA, Alaska Airlines decided to divert flight ASA843 to HNL, and deal with the problem instead of continuing to its original destination, KOA. The aircraft, N512AS (c/n 39043, l/n 2711) a 737-890, in the Dreamliner livery, stopped on the taxiway after exiting the runway, and was met by HNL ARFF. The passengers were off-loaded from the aircraft on the taxiway to Wiki-Wiki buses, taken to the terminal, and then continued to KOA on another Alaska aircraft as ASA843.

Link to the story on the KHON2 website

Japan Airlines 767-346ER's Gets Winglets

Japan Airlines announced last month, that it ordered the Blended Winglet retro-fit kits from Aviation Partners Boeing for six of its 767-346ERs. Seen above, is JA616J (c/n 35813, l/n 954) wearing its new winglets.

Xiamen's B-5752

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5752 (c/n 38404, l/n 4461) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5752. It's seen above, taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

UPS 767-34AF With Winglets

UPS has begun to install Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets on its 767-300ER freighter fleet. One of those already fitted has shown up at HNL. N337UP (c/n 37858, l/n 986) flew in as UPS2967 from ONT (via OGG and KOA) and departed HNL for SAN as UPS2968. The winglets are painted the same gray color found on UPS's fleet of MD-11Fs and 747-400Fs.

Vision Airlines' N743VA

Vision Airlines' N743VA (c/n 25262, l/n 2088), a 737-46B, stopped through HNL on a ferry flight from TNA to OKC. It also made stops at GUM, MAJ, and OAK. Skyliners.de's news notes that it underwent freighter conversion at TNA, and is owned by Macquarie Air Finance.

Sorry, we weren't able to get a photo of N743VA.

ATI's N799AL

Air Transport International (ATI) [8C/ATN] is donating one of their DC-8s to the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point. N799AL (c/n 45922, l/n 335), a DC-8-62CF, made its final flight from HIK to JRF as ATN799. It's seen above after arriving at JRF.

A screenshot of the FlightAware routing of ATN799.

45922 was originally delivered to SAS Scandinavian Airlines in February 1968 as OY-KTE "Skjold Viking". During its time with SAS, it leased to a number of airlines (with the same registry): Scanair "Turid Viking" [DK/VKG] (October 1979 - January 1983); Arista International Airlines (AIA) "Maro" [RY/---] (January 1983 - November 1983); Northeastern International Airways [--/---] (December 1983 - September 1984); and Thai Airways International [TG/THA] (October 1984), and was re-registered as HS-TGQ. The Royal Thai Air Force was the next owner as it was registered as 60-112, in September 1985. International Air Leases (IAL) acquired 45922 in 1989 registered it as N799AL, and leased it to Arrow Air [JW/APW] in September, then to Hawaiian Air in December. In September 1991, Air Marshall Islands [CW/MRS] was the next lessee, with crews from Hawaiian (September 1991 - August 1992) and Arrow until October 1996. Zantop International Airlines [--/ZAN] was the next lessee from October 1996 - August 1997. ATI was the next and last lessee from July 1998, until today's final flight. Cargo Air Management was the last owner of N799AL.

Mahalo to blog fan Hiroshi for the photos!

Aloha Air Cargo's Temporary Home

On May 14th, Aloha Air Cargo held a ground breaking ceremony for its new cargo facilities adjacent to the Ewa hardstands. The construction kicks off the major part of the modernization of the inter-island concourse.

The current ramp that Aloha was using has been blocked off for the construction of the new facilities. Accommodations have been made for their 737-200Cs to utilize Gates 31-34 after the morning rush of arrivals and departures. Their SAAB 340AFs have been allocated to the corner of the inter-island ramp next to Elliott Street and Nimitz Highway.

Qantas' VH-TJL

Another former Qantas Airways 737-476 is bound for VCV for storage from MEL. VH-TJL (c/n 24437, l/n 2176) is making a stop at HNL as QFA6027.

VH-TJL was originally delivered to Australian Airlines in November 1991, and transferred to the Qantas fleet in October 1993.

Lucky Air's B-5805

Lucky Air [8L/LKE], a Hainan Air Group subsidiary, is taking delivery of B-5805 (c/n 39199, l/n 4447) today. The 737-74P, originally ordered by parent Hainan Airlines, is making its delivery flight from BFI as B5805.

China Southern's B-5742

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-81B in the past 11 days. B-5742 (c/n 38946, l/n 4454) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN805.

Garuda's PK-GFX

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in the past six days. PK-GFX (c/n 39928, l/n 4453), a 737-8FX leased from Lombard Aviation, is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will overnight at HNL. Like last week's delivery flight for PK-GMY, the next leg will go to PNI instead of MAJ.

Rare Rainbow At HNL

Here's a rare sight caught at HNL.  One morning, these rainbows appeared over the Reef Runway. On the right, you can see the rainbow splitting into two with the second rainbow going straight up instead of curving with the main rainbow. If you look closely at the coconut trees on the left, there is a faint third rainbow in between the trees.

Pacific Wings To Close Hawai‘i Operations

Hawai‘i News Now announced on tonight's 10:00P broadcast that Pacific Wings will be closing down their Hawai‘i operations on June 15th. For some time, their operations had been scaling down. Their Cessna 208B Grand Caravans will probably be moved to their other mainland operations. The airline has not made a formal announcement, but employees have told our sources that they were given termination notices effective on June 15th. Their website is also not taking reservations past the same date.

Further information in this Hawai‘i News Now article.

As seen above with N302PW (msn 208B0984), much of their local Caravan fleet has been repainted in to this generic livery. Gone are the colorful liveries that adorned the five Caravans when they began operations in Hawai‘i.

This was N302PW in photo taken in July 2005 at OGG's Commuter Terminal.

Indian Navy's P-8I Neptune

This afternoon a P-8I Neptune (737-8FV) flew in from Boeing Field as BOE202. IN321/N521DS (c/n 40611, l/n 4014) is the second of twelve on order for the Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy is the first customer for the export version of the P-8 Poseidon. This modified 737 will serve as a replacement for the Russian made Tu-142MKE in maritime patrol and anti-ship roles.

China Southern's B-2926

China Southern Airlines is ferrying B-2926 (c/n 27289, l/n 2593) to the mainland. The 737-31B, flying as CSN2002, is traveling from SWA [Shantou, China] to MWH [Moses Lake, WA], and made stops at GUM, MAJ, HNL, and OAK.

Qantas' VH-XZF

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-XZF "Cygnet" (c/n 39370, l/n 4450) today. The 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI to MEL (via HNL and NAN) as QFA6024.

Malaysia's 9M-MSD

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MSD (c/n 40146, l/n 4449) today. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473, and will overnight here.

R22B Lands On Fort Street

Mauna Loa Helicopters' R22B, N5ZK (msn 2158), piloted by Julia Link made an emergency landing today on Fort Street between Beretania and Kukui Streets. She apparently lost power at about 3,000 feet, and was able to land the chopper with her and her passenger escaping major injury.  Initial reports cite engine failure. The FAA considered the incident as a controlled hard landing.

GREAT JOB and WELL DONE to the pilot in averting a major incident!

Further news coverage in this Hawaii News Now article.

Delta 767 Aborts Takeoff

Delta flight DAL2364 from HNL to LAX had to abort takeoff right at about when it was going to rotate off Runway 8R. Scheduled departure for the 767-332ER was 11:38. Good thing it was on takeoff, and not while landing!

The aircraft, N188DN (c/n 27583, l/n 631), caused the closure of the "Reef Runway" for a couple of hours after the aborted takeoff.  The passengers were off-loaded from the aircraft, and brought back to the terminal by Wiki-Wiki buses around 1:00 p.m.  The aircraft was still not ready to be towed when I left work at 2:00 p.m.  This also meant that the widebody flights that normally directed to Runway 8R for takeoff were taking off from Runway8L.

Link to the story on KHON2 website.

Garuda's PK-GMY

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GMY (c/n 38884, l/n 4446) today. The 737-8U3, leased from the Aviation Capital Group, is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011. It's scheduled to go to PNI instead of MAJ after its overnight stop at HNL.

Sorry, we weren't able to get a photo of PK-GMY at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

China Southern's B-5738

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5738 (c/n 38930, l/n 4443) today. The 737-81B is their airline's second in four days, and is making its delivery flight as CSN738.

photo to follow ..

Batik's PK-LBM

Batik Airlines has taken delivery of their third 737-9GPER in the past three weeks. Like the delivery flight before it last week, PK-LBM (c/n 38689, l/n 4441) made a late-night fuel stop at HNL last night.

Sorry, we weren't able to get a photo of PK-LBM at HNL.

China Southern's B-5749

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their fourth 737-81B within the past four weeks. B-5749 (c/n 41303, l/n 4439) is making its delivery flight today, as CSN916. It will overnight at HNL after arriving from BFI.

photo to follow ...

New Construction Projects Begin Around HNL.

HNL is beginning part of its master plan modernization and renovations with the new Aloha Air Cargo Center; the Mauka Concourse Extension of the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal; and the relocation of the  Commuter Terminal, adjacent to the Diamond Head Concourse.

Further details in this article on the Hawai‘i DoT website.

Shenzhen's B-5103

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Shenzhen Airlines' 737-97L, B-5103 (c/n 33645, l/n 1760), which stopped through HNL in August 2005. It's seen above taxiing to the Anderson Aviation ramp, where it overnighted. This airframe was the second-to-last of the -900 series airframes built, before the launch of the current -900ER variant. B-5103 is also seen in the original Shenzhen livery.

In January 2009, B-5103 was painted in the 2009 variation of the 2007 (& current) Shenzhen red/gold livery, and remains without Blended Winglets.

One distinguishing feature that differentiates a -900 from a -900ER, as in the above photo, is that there is no exit door between the aft door the overwing pop-up escapes.

April 2013 Deliveries

Here were the 14 737NG deliveries that stopped through Hawai‘i in April 2013:
4395 | B-5289 | 39198 | Hainan Airlines | -74P [04.02.13 B5289]
4400 | VH-XZD | 39368 | Qantas Airways | -838 [04.04.13 QFA6024]
4405 | 9M-MSC | 40145 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [04.04.13 MAS5473]
4406 | B-5727 | 39110 | Shandong Airlines | -85N [04.09.13 CDG5727]
4409 | B-5740 | 38944 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [04.10.13 CSN7]
4415 | B-5748 | 41302 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [04.13.13 CSN48]
4414 | PK-LBG | 38688 | Batik Airlines | -9GPER [04.15.13 PKLBG]
4419 | B-5751 | 38400 | Xiamen Airlines | -85C [04.16.13 CXA5751]
4418 | B-5802 | 39725 | China Eastern Airlines | -79P [04.17.13 CES599]
4422 | B-5729 | 40038 | Air China | -89L [04.19.13 CCA51]
4421 | VH-XZE | 39369 | Qantas Airways | -838 [04.19.13 QFA6024]
4402 | B-5753 | 39331 | Hebei Airlines | -85C [04.23.13 HBH5753]
4427 | B-5739 | 38943 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [04.23.13 CSN423]
4430 | PK-LBH | 38730 | Batik Airlines | -9GPER [04.26.13 PKLBH]

-700: 2
-800: 10
-900ER: 2

China: 9
Australia: 2
Indonesia: 2
Malaysia: 1