Diamond Head Classic Team Charters

The Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic college basketball tournament begins on Monday, with seven teams from the mainland, and the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors.

The eight teams are:

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors

Charleston Cougars

Charlotte 49ers

Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers

Murray State Racers

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Oregon Ducks

The Cornhuskers arrived this afternoon on Sun Country Airlines N804SY (c/n 30689, l/n 908, f/n 804). This 737-800 flew from LNK, via OAK, as SCX8435.

N901SY

Sun Country Airlines is taking delivery of their first 737-91MER, N901SY (c/n 40069, l/n 5150). It's making its delivery flight from CGK to MZJ, via GUM and JRF. It will be given the fleet number 901. N901SY will make an overnight stop at JRF tonight.

This the first of five former Oman Air 737-91MERs to be acquired by Sun Country Airlines.

40069's History:

Nov 2014: Delivered to Oman Air as A40-BI, under lease from OBALC.

Sep 2017: Sold to GOAL, and the lease transferred.

Apr 2023: Sold to Sun Country Airlines, and the lease transferred.

Aug 2024: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to CGK for storage.

Southern Airways' N95SA

Southern Airways is ferrying N95SA "The Phil LeFevre" (msn 340B-345) from HNL to SGF, via CNO as  FDY211. This Saab 340B has not flown since February 2024. It's seen above, shortly after its delivery flight wearing its previous registration.

The Hawai‘i Bowl Team Charters

The two teams participating in the 2024 edition of The Hawai‘i Bowl are the University of South Florida Bulls from the American Athletic Conference (Tampa, FL) and the San José State Spartans from the Mountain West Conference (San José, CA). Both teams will be arriving by their respective team charter flights.

The game is scheduled to be played at the Clarence TC Ching Field on the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, on 24 December, at 15:00HAST. Both teams will return to their respective cities following the game.

Bulls Charter Flight from TPA to HNL (18 Dec 2024):

American Airlines 777-223ER N759AN (c/n 32836, l/n 376, f/n 7BU) as AAL9735 [Team].

Omni Air International 767-36NER N468AN (c/n 30115, l/n 863) as OAE2851 [Band & Cheer].

Spartans Charter Flight from SJC (19 Dec 2024):

Omni Air International 777-2U8ER N819AX (c/n 33681, l/n 479) as OAE2859.

Kamaka Air's N689KA Crashes

Kamaka Air's C208BF Grand Caravan, N689KA (msn 208B2308), crashed outside HNL shortly after taking off from Runway 4L on a training flight to LNY as KMK689. The C208BF reported engine and control issues, and the pilots did their best to avoid the HNL fuel farm, the Skyline guideway, and other buildings before crashing into the former SkyChefs building (now owned by HDOT). Both pilots aboard lost their lives in the accident. A fire ensued following the crash, and was put out by HNL ARFF and HFD crews. The FAA and NTSB will be investigating this accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the two pilots, and the Kamaka Air ‘ohana.

Further details in this Honolulu Star-Advertiser article.

Juan Browne's Blancolirio YouTube channel has a video about the accident.

Southern Airways' N79SA

Southern Airways is ferrying N79SA "The Phil Trenary" (msn 340B-334) from HNL to SGF [Springfield Airport, Springfield, MO], via CNO [Chino Airport, Chino, CA], as FDY205. This Saab 340B has been out of service since July 2024.

N9PF

PF Global Aviation's N9PF (c/n 37583, l/n 2869) is making a stop at HNL from FLL. This 737-7HZ BBJ is wearing a new livery since we last got it in July 2023.

18 December 2024 UPDATE

N9PF departed this morning for BNE.

US Air Force's 64-14831

64-14831 (c/n 18771, l/n T0723), a WC-135R Constant Phoenix from 45th Reconnaissance Squadron / 55th Operations Group, is making a stop at HIK as ATOM31.

17 December 2024 UPDATE

64-14831 returned to its base at OFF [Offut Air Force Base, Omaha, NE].

GlobalX Cargo's N636WT

GlobalX Airlines Cargo is taking delivery of N636WT (msn 1636). This A321-231F, leased from Spectre Air Capital, is flying from XMN to MZJ, via GUM, MAJ, and JRF. It will make an overnight stop at JRF tonight. It will go to Spectre Air Capital prior to delivery to GlobalX Airlines.

N636WT departed from XMN on 11 November for GUM. There were two attempts to depart GUM for MAJ, on 19 November and 28 November, and both returned to GUM.

1636's History:

Jan 2002: Delivered to Asiana Airlines as HL7711, under lease from debis Air Finance.

Oct 2005: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Nov 2013: Leased to Air Busan.

Mar 2019: Sold to FTAI, and the lease transferred.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at PUS.

Aug 2020: Ferried to GYR for storage.

Dec 2020: Re-registered as N636WT.

Jan 2023: Purchased by Spectre Air Capital.

May 2023: Ferried to XMN for freighter conversion.

Royal Australian Air Force's A39-002

One of the KC-30A MRTTs from the Royal Australian Air Force's No 33 Squadron, is assisting three of its F-35As from No 3 Squadron from the west coast. A39-002 (msn 951) is making the flight as ASY813, and will overnight at HIK, along with the three F-35As.

Royal Australian Air Force's A30-001

A30-001 (c/n 33474, l/n 1245), an E-7A Wedgetail of the Royal Australian Air Force's No 2 Squadron, is returning to NTL from SUU today as ASY66. It's making a stop at HIK tonight.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVF

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MVF (c/n 66371, l/n 9008) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, via HNL and GUM, as MAS5041. It will make an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

Upcoming 737MAX Deliveries

With airlines around Asia and Oceania ordering the 737 MAX series, a majority of these airliners will stop through Hawai‘i (mainly HNL) during the first segment of their island-hopping delivery flights from Boeing Field (BFI) [map]. Boeing has indicated that the variants will be referred to as the -x without the MAX name, we will do the same.

We launched our own Google Sheet documenting the 737 information below, as well as deliveries as of 2021.

Boeing P-8As and E-7As on order for armed forces around the Pacific Rim have been added below.

This post will be continuously updated as new information becomes available.

According to the Boeing Test Fights Google Sheet and PlaneSpotters.net's 737 MAX Production List, these listed below are the airframes that have begun final assembly, made its first flight from RNT, or are being readied for delivery on the BFI flightline. Those listed below, should make a stopover in Hawai‘i on their first segment out of BFI on their delivery flights in the near future. In the past, additional information was also provided by Tyke's Aero Blog, and The Boeing Test Flights website.

DELIVERED

8178 | B-____ | 61154 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 [12.03.24 BOE950 as N239BE] »

7263 | B-206L | 61374 | 9 Air | -8 (orange) [12.06.24 BOE452 as N253BE]

9008 | 9M-MVF | 66371 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 [12.12.24 MAS5041]

» Ferrying to HSN [Zhoushan, China] for cabin completion, with a Boeing flight code.

• • • • •

ON ORDER

737 MAX

7351 | B-208E | 63276 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE692 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7371 | B-209A | 63284 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE693 « VCV » Air India Express VT-___
7408 | B-209C | 63287 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE694 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7415 | B-208F | 63277 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE695 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7440 | B-20A3 | 61637 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE616 « BFI

7493 | B-209V | 61143 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE936 « BFI » Air India Express VT-___
7496 | B-209T | 63279 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE697 « BFI
7508 | B-20A0 | 61448 | Shandong Airlines | -8 * | BOE658 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7511 | B-209S | 63278 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE698 « MWH

7530 | B-209U | 63289 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE699 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7575 | B-20AG | 61449 | Shandong Airlines | -8 | BOE659 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7595 | B-20C7 | 63281 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE696 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7613 | B-20AU | 63290 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE701 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7624 | B-____ | 61712 | Kunming Airlines | -8 | BOE201 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7645 | B-20CC | 61645 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE619 « BFI

7676 | B-20DK | 61147 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE940 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7690 | B-20CQ | 64677 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE339 « MWH
7691 | B-20C9 | 63283 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE704 « BFI

7715 | B-20D6 | 65258 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE712 « MWH

7723 | B-20DL | 61148 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE941 « MWH

7750 | B-20CL | 43836 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE342 « BFI » Air India Express VT-___
7751 | B-20CT | 65251 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE714 « MWH
7761 | B-20DH | 60922 | Air China | -8 BOE275 « MWH
7764 | B-____ | 65275 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE715 « MWH

7784 | B-____ | 65253 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE716 « MWH
7795 | B-____ | 65257 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE717 « MWH
7798 | B-20DP | 61157 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE942 « MWH
7813 | B-20DJ | 60923 | Air China | -8 | BOE276 « MWH
7826 | B-____ | 61652 | China Eastern Airlines | -8 | BOE622 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7831 | B-20DV | 42964 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE372 « BFI 

7865 | B-20DQ | 60924 | Air China | -8 | BOE278  « BFI
7867 | B-20E1 | 64679 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE375 « BFI
7875 | B-____ | 65250 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE719 « VCV
7878 | B-20E2 | 61456 | Shandong Airlines | -8 | BOE666 « MWH
7887 | B-____ | 63291 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE708  « MWH

7929 | B-224U | 61385 | 9Air | -8 (plum) | BOE454  « MWH » Boeing N5515R
7931 | B-20DS | 60826 | Air China | -8 | BOE279 « MWH
7934 | B-20DX | 64680 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE376  « MWH
7944 | B-20E3 | 60928 | Air China | -8 | BOE280 « BFI
7948 | B-20DY | 64681 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE377 « MWH

8001 | B-224E | 61657 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE625 « MWH

8100 | B-____ | 43840 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE380 « MWH

8125 | B-____ | 61661 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE629 « MWH

8181 | B-____ | 60938 | Air China | -8 | BOE284 « MWH

8186 | B-226E | 43841 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE387 « BFI

8189 | B-223V | 61460 | Shandong Airlines | -8 | BOE679 « MWH

8194 | B-____ | 43845 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE388 « MWH

8206 | B-____ | 60941 | Air China | -8 | BOE287 « BFI

8229 | B-____ | 61124 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE954 « BFI

8235 | B-____ | 61153 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE955 « MWH » Boeing N5573B

8248 | B-____ | 43847 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE391 « MWH

8254 | B-224L | 65254 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE171 « BFI

9004 | VT-___ | _____ | Akasa Air -8 200 « RNT

9023 | 9M-MVE | 66442 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 | BOE706 « BFI

9033 | 9M-MV_ | 66376 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 « RNT

9035 | 9M-MV_ | 66375 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 « RNT

9204 | HL8566 | 63488 | Korean Air | -8 | BOE396 « BFI

• • •

P-8A and E-7A

9142 | 230921 | 66448 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A | « NIP

9526 | 230922 | 67012 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A | POSIDN1 « NIP

9602 | 230923 | 67013 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « BFI

____ | 230925 | 67014 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « RNT

____ | 230926 | 67015 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « RNT

____ | 230927 | 67016 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « RNT

The RoK Navy P-8As may be re-designated as P-8Ks.

• • • • • 

« Final Assembly / Pre-Flight Prep / First Flight from RNT

« Pre-Delivery Test Flights / Ready For Delivery
« Stored (Location [IATA])

° New / Modified Livery
* Special Livery / Markings
» New airline and registration
» Boeing registration for ferry to HSN


LOCATIONS [IATA]
RNT: Renton Municipal Airport, Renton, WA
BFI: Boeing Field International Airport, Seattle, WA

PAE: Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field), Everett, WA

MWH: Grant County International Airport, Moses Lake, WA

SKF: Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX

VCV: Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, CA

NIP: Naval Air Station Jacksonville / Jacksonville Airport, Jacksonville, FL

GED: Delaware Coastal Airport, Georgetown, DE

• • • • •

NOTES

In the event that a delivery flight stops through any Hawai‘i airport other than HNL, their IATA airport code will noted after the flight number. 

Delivery flights that go through ANC, KEF, or any other non-Hawai‘i airport, will only be listed on our Google Sheet.

Due to the airworthiness directive for the 737MAX series, along with delivery deferrals, some airframes may deliver from sites other than BFI, and will be noted in the flight number information. 

If an airframe listed is sold to another airline, it will be noted with a » symbol, along with the new airline and registration. If the airframe delivers through Hawai‘i, the information will be revised with the delivery information. If it's not making a delivery flight through Hawai‘i, that listing will not be changed to the new airline, then removed upon its delivery flight. That information will be kept on our Google Sheet.

Air India Express is acquiring 55 737-8s that were built for Chinese customers, and have been re-marketed by Boeing, as part of Air India's massive order with Boeing. Akasa Air is also purchasing China-bound 737-8s re-marketed by Boeing.

Most 737s delivering to airlines in India will deliver east-bound through KEF [Keflavik International Airport, Keflavik, Iceland] as their first fuel stop. 

Most 737s delivering to airlines in the Republic of Korea normally delivers through ANC [Ted Stevens International Airport, Anchorage, AK] for their first fuel stop.

In the event they deliver through Hawai‘i, they will be listed on a post, and on the deliveries page.

Some of the deliveries bound for China will ferry to the Boeing China 737 Completion and Delivery Center, in Zhoushan, China, will have this » symbol following the flight number, that probably will be the Boeing test flight number assigned to the particular airframe.

...

Alliance Airlines' N203JB

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N203JB (msn 19000023), and is being flown by Southern Cross International as SXI2485. This ERJ-190AR flying from SJO to BNE, via SDM, KOA, and MAJ, with overnight stop at KOA tonight.

19000023's History

Mar 2006: Delivered to jetBlue as N203JB "Look At Blue Now" (f/n 203) with the "Bubbles" tail livery, under lease from GECAS.

Jun 2015: Tail livery repainted in the "Tartan" design.

Nov 2021: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MCN.

Jun 2024: Acquired by TVPX Trust Services.

Aug 2024: Ferried to SJO for prep to Alliance Airlines.

HL7227

HL7227 (c/n 35977, l/n 2047), a 737-7HF BBJ owned by the Hanwha Chemical Corporation, is making a stop at HNL  from GMP today.

United Airlines' N14506

United Airlines' A321-271NX, N14506 (msn 11680, f/n 4506), is making an ETOPS proving flight from SFO to HNL as UAL3898. It's scheduled to return to SFO tomorrow as UAL3899.

Hawaiian Airlines To Launch SEA-NRT In May 2025

As part of the new "Alaska Accelerate" initiative, Hawaiian Airlines will launch daily non-stop A330-243 flights between SEA and NRT in May 2025. In October 2025, Hawaiian will launch daily A330-243 service between SEA and ICN.

Hawaiian will also add more flights between Hawai‘i and California.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

US Air Force's 76-1605

An E-3G Sentry from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron / 18th Wing, based at DNA, made a stop at HIK this morning. 76-1605 (c/n 21435, l/n 924) made the flight as RONIN15.

N449YV

N449YV (msn 449), a Dash8-200 owned by Berry Aviation, is making an overnight stop at HNL from CCR, as BYA449. It's scheduled to continue onto KWA tomorrow.

9 Air's N253BE

Boeing is ferrying 9 Air's N253BE (c/n 61374, l/n 7623) from BFI to HSN, via HNL and GUM, as BOE452. This 737-8 has a Chinese registration of B-206L. With the temporary Boeing registration, it possibly will get the new 9 Air livery and cabin branding at the Boeing China Completion Center at HSN.

N253BE was also assigned to a Xiamen Air 737-8 that ferried to HSN as BOE392 in April 2024. It has since been registered as B-225F, and delivered to Xiamen Air in July 2024.

07 December 2024 UPDATE

The segment to GUM was postponed this afternoon.

12 December 2024 UPDATE

N253BE departed for GUM this morning.

United Airlines' Fantasy Flight

The HNL Station for United Airlines hosted a Fantasy Flight for children battling life-threatening illness, special needs, and children from Gold Star families and fallen heroes today. N774UA (c/n 26936, l/n 2, f/n 2474), a 777-222, made the 50-minute flight from HNL's Gate F2 to the United's Hangar, as UAL3894. United employees, along with several non-profit organizations, volunteered their time to make this annual flight happen. UAL3894 landed on Runway 8R, and taxied to their hangar, where there was a Christmas party for the children and their families.

UAL 3894 was the first of the 13 Fantasy Flights around United's global network, this Christmas season. The other 12 cities hosting Fantasy Flights are: NRT, GUM, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, CVG, IAH, IAD, EWR, FLL, and LHR.

Further information in this United Airlines press release.

Korean Air / Asiana Airlines Merger To Close This Month

CH-Aviation reports that with an anticipated official approval announcement from the US Department of Justice, the merger between Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines is expected to close sometime this month. The approval from the USDOJ is the final piece of the puzzle to allow the merger between the two largest airlines in the Republic of Korea, with Korean Air taking the reins. The Asiana brand will last another two years, before it's absorbed into the Korean Air brand. Multiple concessions by both airlines had to be made before any approval was given by transport ministries around the world, especially where the two airlines serve.

Also, as part of the merger, Asiana Airlines' low-cost subsidiaries (Air Busan and Air Seoul) will be combined under Korean Air's LCC, Jin Air.

Water Cannon Salute For Pearl Harbor Survivor

The HNL ARFF honored Pearl Harbor attack survivor, Ira "Ike' Schab with a water cannon salute, as his Hawaiian Airlines flight taxied to the gate after arriving from PDX as HAL49. The 104-year-old Schab was also honored at the gate by Hawaiian Airlines employees. He is here to attend the 83rd December 7th remembrance at the Arizona Memorial Park on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. There are 16 survivors of the attack still living.

N388HA "Nahiku" (msn 1310, f/n 388) made the flight from PDX, and the water cannon salute was done as the A330-243 taxied near the Mauka Extension, where it parked at Gate A7.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines Mana‘o post.

Shenzhen Airlines' N239BE

Boeing is ferrying Shenzhen Airlines' N239BE (c/n 61154, l/n 8178) from BFI to HSN (via HNL, and GUM) as BOE950 today, and will overnight at HNL. This 737-8 will undergo cabin completion at Boeing China in Zhoushan, then delivered to Shenzhen Airlines with a Chinese registration. Usually, the Boeing ferry flights to HSN transits through JRF, this would be the first time to stop at HNL.

QantasLink's VH-X4E

National Jet Systems is taking delivery of their fifth A220-300 with VH-X4E "Tasmanian Devil" (msn 55312). This QantasLink-liveried A220 is flying from YMX to CBR, via YVR, HNL, and NAN, as QFA6075. The YVR-HNL leg is being flown as QFA6076, and will remain overnight.

03 December 2024 UPDATE

The HNL-NAN segment is being flown as QLK6077.

China Airlines' B-18110 And B-18111

A pair of China Airlines A321-271NXs, B-18110 (msn 10939) and B-18111 (msn 11040), have stopped off at HNL from TPE, via GUM and MAJ. B-18111 arrived first as CAL1592, then followed by B-18110 as CAL1590. Both A321Ns parked on the North Ramp, and will be transporting Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, his staff, and press corps on his tour of a few islands in the South Pacific.

02 December 2024 UPDATE

B-18110 departed for MAJ as CAL1586 early this morning, and B-18111 departed for MAJ later in the morning as CAL1588.

Hawai‘i Army National Guard Flyover

A CH-47F Chinook from the Company B, 2nd Battalion, 211 Aviation Regiment and a HH-60M from Company G, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, performed a flyover prior to the start of tonight's University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football game. Only 16-20855 (the HH-60M), is listed as the flight IMUA855, which made the flyover at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, in honor of the Rainbow Warriors' Senior Night agains the New Mexico Lobos.

China Airlines' B-18918

China Airlines' A350-941, B-18918 (msn 239), is making a stop at HNL, as it transports Taiwan's President Ching-te "William" Lai around the South Pacific. The Airbus/Caron Fibre special-liveried A350 is flying as CAL1588. President Lai is scheduled to spend time here meeting with local and US officials.

01 December 2024 UPDATE

B-18918 returned empty to TPE as CAL1591.

Qantas' VH-OQH

Qantas' A380-842, VH-OQH "Reginald Ansett" (msn 50), made a diversion to HNL from SYD this morning. It was scheduled to fly to LAX, but made a medical diversion, and will continue onto LAX later in the morning.

New Mexico Lobos Team Charter

The New Mexico Lobos football team is chartering a Sun Country Airlines 737-800 for their road game against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N801SY (c/n 30332, l/n 777, f/n 801) is flying the Lobos from ABQ to HNL, via OAK, as SCX8420. The team will return to AB following the game.

01 December 2024 UPDATE

The Lobos returned to ABQ, via OAK, as SCX8420 following their 38-30 loss to Hawai‘i.

Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi

Happy Thanksgiving from the HNL RareBirds™ team!

Coulson Aviation's N382CG

Another Coulson Aviation C-130H, N382CG (msn 382-4336, f/n 138), is making its way from TRM to XRH, via SMX, KOA, PPG, and NLK, as CUL138. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

382-4336's History:

___ ____: Delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force as BW-C 954 "Balder", assigned to the 335 Squadron.

Sep 2023: Acquired by Coulson Aviation, and converted to a water bomber.

Conair's C-FFQF

Conair's fire fighting Q402-AT, C-FFQF (msn 4315), will be making a stop at HNL from YXX, via OAK, as FGD391. This Q400 is making its way to Australia to assist in the Southern Hemisphere summer fire season.

Asia Pacific Airlines' N193AN

Asia Pacific Airlines is taking delivery of N193AN (c/n 32387, l/n 981) today. This 757-223F, is delivering from LAL to HNL, via PHX, under lease from Titan Aviation Holdings. It's being flown with an Amerijet flight code, AJT96.

This is Asia Pacific's sixth 757-200F, and the first powered by Rolls-Royce RB211s. The other five are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW2040s.

32387's History:

Nov 2001: Delivered to American Airlines as N193AN (f/n 5FC).

Sep 2016: Painted in the current livery.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ROW.

Jly 2021: Sold to AerSale, and ferried to GYR for freighter conversion.

Mar 2022: Leased to Amerijet.

Jun 2022: Sold to Titan Aviation Holdings, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at LAL.

Maui Invitational 2024 Team Charters

Some of the  eight-team Maui Invitational college basketball tournament may possibly arriving by team charter flights, while other teams will travel via commercial flights. The tournament runs from 25-27 November in Lāhaina, Maui.

The eight schools are: Auburn Tigers, Colorado Buffaloes, Dayton Flyers, Iowa State Cyclones, Memphis Tigers, Michigan Sate Spartans, North Carolina Tar Heels, and the UConn Huskies.

The Tar Heels flew to HNL via Omni Air International, and will return to RDU from OGG.

22 Nov 2024:

Michigan State: SCX8417 [LAN-OAK-OGG] aboard N804SY.

UConn: ASA9689 [BDL-OAK-OGG] aboard N723AL.

27 November 2024 UPDATE

Michigan State will return to LAN, via OAK, aboard N808SY, as SCX8417.

Memphis will return to MEM, via OAK, aboard N804SY, as SCX8424.

UConn will return to BDL, via SEA, aboard N934AK, as ASA9682.

28 November 2024 UPDATE

North Carolina will return to RDU, aboard N207AX, as OAE2463.

Hawaiian Airlines' N494HA Moana 2 Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines' 717-2BL, N494HA "Koaʻe Kea" (c/n 55182, l/n 5138, f/n 494), is now wearing the Moana 2 decals. It had the decals applied over the past few days, and has returned to service this morning.

N476HA "Elepaio" (c/n 55118, l/n 5053, f/n 476) was slated to receive the decal treatment, but was switched out.

North Carolina Tar Heels Team Charter

The tenth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-224ER for their game on Friday against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N234AX (c/n 30436, l/n 833) is bringing the Tar Heels here from RDU as OAE2220. They will stay in Hawai‘i, as they are participating in  the Maui Invitational tournament in Lāhaina, Maui, beginning on the 25th.

21 November 2024 UPDATE

N234AX returned to its base at AFW as OAE2220 after dropping off the Tar Heels.

Air Force 2 To KOA

99-0004 (c/n 29028, l/n 829), flying as Air Force 2, is taking VP Kamala Harris and husband from ADW to KOA, via LAX today. This C-32A (757-2G4) is assigned to the 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing.

With the VP's vacation on Hawai‘i Island, the FAA has put a TFR in place during the visit until Monday, 25 November.

Above is a photo of 99-0004 on final for Runway 4R, taken in November 2022.

25 November 2024 UPDATE

Air Force 2 departed KOA for SFO, then ADW.

Eastern Airlines' N771KW

Eastern Airlines' 777-212ER, N771KW (c/n 28530, l/n 390), is making a stop at HNL from MCI as EAL9832.  It will continue onto GUM as EAL9833 tomorrow.

28530's History:

Mar 2002: Delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-SQI, under lease from Pembroke.

Apr 2017: Leased to FlyGlobal as 9M-FGA.

Nov 2017: Subleased to Nesma Airlines for one month.

May 2020: Purchased by Eastern Airlines as N771KW.

Nov 2022: Inducted into service.

May 2024: Leased to Garuda Indonesia for two months.

21 November 2024 UPDATE

N771KW is arriving from ANC tonight as EAL9835, and will continue onto MCI tomorrow as EAL9836.

N737ST

Boeing's N737ST (c/n 66147, l/n 7833) is back at KOA as BOE401. The former Ural Airlines 737-8 arrived today from BFI. It's not known how long it will stay at KOA.

N737ST was at KOA for over a week this past July.

24 November 2024 UPDATE

N737ST departed for BFI this morning.

Pacific Air Charters To Refocus On Commuter Flights

Ch-Aviation.com reports that Pacific Air Charters will change its commuter flights focus to LUP, as it prepares to launch its P2012 operations. The air charter company will expand to other airports in 2025, but has deferred deliveries of more P2012s.

Altavair Reports On Delays of Hawaiian Airlines' A330-343Fs

CH-Aviation.com reports that labor shortage by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) is causing delays in the conversion and deliveries of the last four A330-343Fs due to Altavair, to lease to Hawaiian Airlines for its Amazon Prime Air. Two of the A330-343s are at DRS, one at PVG, and one at CAN, awaiting conversion. Hawaiian was scheduled to receive all ten freighters by the end of this year.

US Air Force's 06-0500

A US Air Force C-37B assigned to the 99th Airlift Squadron / 89th Airlift Wing, 06-0500 (msn 5152), is making a stop at HNL as SAM314 from OSN. Instead of parking at HIK, this C-37B is parking at Castle & Cooke Aviation. It's one of the rare times that USAF VIP transports will park outside HIK. On 17 November, this military version of the G550, stopped through HIK from CONUS, its way to OSN.

19 November 2024 UPDATE

SAM314 departed for CONUS this morning.

Coulson Aviation's N131CG

Coulson Aviation's N131CG (msn 382-4901) is making a stop at ITO, as it ferries to Australia for their summer fire season. This C-130H, flying from SMX as CUL131, will also make a stop at PPG.

382-4901's History:

Oct 1981: Delivered to the US Navy as 161495, as an EC-130Q.

___ 1983: Assigned to VQ-3.

Mar 1987: Assigned to VQ-4.

Dec 1991: Converted to a C-130H, with the removal the EW equipment.

___ 1993: Given to NASA as N427NA, and based at Wallops Island, WA.

Oct 2004: Donated to the Kenosha Military Museum for display.

Aug 2012: Acquired by Wells Fargo NA Trustee, and registered as N130FF.

Aug 2013: Leased to Coulson Aviation, and converted to a fire fighting aircraft.

Jan 2018: Sold to the Delaware Trust Co Trustee, and the lease transferred.

___ 2020: Painted in the current livery.

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors Team Charter

The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their road game against the Utah State Aggies on Saturday. N209HA "Ili‘ahi" (msn 8186, f/n 209) is flying the Rainbow Warriors to SLC as HAL764, and will reposition to OAK as HAL9765 after dropping off the team. Another A321N will pick up the team on Saturday following the game.

17 November 2024 UPDATE

The Rainbow Warriors are returning home aboard N204HA "ʻŌhia Lehua" (msn 7959, f/n 204) as HAL767 following their 55-10 blowout loss to the Aggies.

American Airlines' A321N Departure Anomaly

An American Airlines A321-251N, N418AN (msn 9550, f/n 418), failed to make the immediate right turn upon departure from Runway 8L last night. Operating as AAL298 to LAX, the A321N maintained runway heading until over Mānoa, then they made the right turn out toward Oʻahu's south shoreline, cutting across East Honolulu. The closest the A321N got to the Koʻolau Mountains was near Mānoa, but was well above the peaks. The flight continued onto LAX, and landed safely less than five hours later.

Normally, all departures from Runway 8L require a right turn of at least a heading of 140º, as soon as practical to avoid overflying metro Honolulu. For late night flights, narrow-body red-eyes to the west coast are allowed to depart from Runway 8L, since the traffic is light.

US Air Force's 64-14831

A US Air Force WC-135R Constant Phoenix, 64-14831 (c/n 18771, l/n 723), is making a stop at HNL as ATOM31. This former KC-135R, assigned to the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron / 55th Wing, is one of three modified to detect atmospheric anomalies associated with nuclear explosions.

Prior to the modifications, 64-14831 was last assigned to the 197th Air Refueling Squadron / 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard.

Veteran's Day

The HNL RareBirds™ team expresses our deep gratitude to the men and women of the United States armed forces who have served, or are serving our country. Mahalo for your service to protect our country and our freedoms.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 95th anniversary today. The above logo decal will be affixed near the L1 door of each aircraft.

Silk Way West Airlines' 4K-SW800

Silk Way West Airlines' 747-4R7F, 4K-SW800 (c/n 2729, l/n 1189), is making a brief fuel stop at HNL this morning. It's flying from YYC as AZG9382, and will continue onto WTB [Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia].

Royal Canadian Air Force's 15001

The Royal Canadian Air Force's CC-150 Polaris, 15001 (msn 446), is making a stop at HNL as CFC3156. This flight originated from YTR [CFB Trenton / Trenton Airport, Trenton, ON, Canada], and made a stop at PHX.

All Nippon Airways' JA901A

For this morning's flights between HND and HNL, All Nippon Airways has put a 787-10, JA901A (c/n 62859, l/n 852), on the service. Normally, ANA assigns a 787-9 for ANA186/185. It's not known how long the 787-10 will operate on this segment, or if this a fleet substitution.

N820CM

Cargo Aircraft Management is ferrying N820CM (msn 641), an A330-302, from TPE to DRS, via HNL and CVG. It's still wearing part of the China Airlines livery. It's not known who it will be leased to, but it will be converted to a freighter.

641's History:

Dec 2004: Delivered to China Airlines as B-18303.

Sep 2019: Sold to Altavair Finance, and leased back.

Aug 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TPE.

Oct 2024: Sold to Cargo Aircraft Management as N820CM.

REX Airlines' VH-RQC

Castlelake is having VH-RQC (c/n 33797, l/n 1389) ferried to the US mainland, following its withdrawal from service by REX Airlines. It's ferrying from ADL to MZJ, via MEL, NAN, and HNL; with overnight stop at HNL tonight. It will be re-registered as 2-HRQC at MZJ.

33797's History:

Oct 2003: Delivered to Virgin Blue as VH-VOP.

Feb 2005: Transferred to Pacific Blue Airlines as ZK-PBB "Whitney Sundays".

Dec 2011: Pacific Blue rebrands as Virgin Australia New Zealand, and aircraft renamed as "Indian Head".

Feb 2015: Returned to Virgin Australia as VH-VOP  "Indian Head".

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at MEL.

Nov 2020: Sold to Castlelake, and ferried to CGK.

Dec 2020: Leased to REX Airlines as VH-RQC.

Jly 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ADL.

Pregame Flyover

A KC-135R from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, 63-8030 (c/n 18647, l/n T0686), performed a flyover over the Clarence TC Ching Field at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, before the UNLV-Hawai‘i football game this afternoon. 63-8030 flew from east to west with its tail boom down and the probe extended. The flyover was part of the Military Appreciation Night event to celebrate Veteran's Day.

Amazon Prime Air's N5843K

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of N5843K (msn 1071). This Amazon Prime Air-liveried A330-343F has been inducted into service at SBD, with a flight to PDX as HAL1625.

1071’s History:

Dec 2009: Delivered to Etihad as A6-AFA.

Feb 2011: Painted in the "Visit Abu Dhabi" special livery.

Aug 2019: Withdrawn from service, and stored at AUH.

Jun 2020: Acquired by Altavair Finance, and ferried to TEV for storage.

Dec 2023: Ferried to DRS, registered as F-WTAN for freighter conversion.

Sep 2024: Ferried to SBD for paint into the Amazon Prime Air livery.

Royal Australian Air Force's A30-001

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail, A30-001 (c/n 33474, l/n 1245), is making a stop at HIK from SUU as ASY65. The flight originated from PAM, where it had been training. A30-001 is assigned to No 2 Squadron, based at NTL [RAAF Base Williamtown, Newcastle, South Wales, Australia]

Amazon Prime Air's N4663K

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of N4663K (msn 1865). This A330-343F, operating for Amazon Prime Air, was inducted into service from SBD to HNL, as HAL1611.

1865's History:

Apr 2018: Built, but not taken by Hong Kong Arlines as B-LHG, stored at TLS.

Jly 2022: Acquired by Altavair Air Finance as F-WXAC, and stored at LDE.

May 2023: Ferried to BFM for storage, and freighter conversion.

Sep 2004: Ferried to SBD for painting in to the Amazon Prime Air livery.

Oct 2024: Ferried to PDX

Hawaiian Airlines Completes GTF Issues

CH-Aviation reports that Hawaiian Airlines has completed all of the necessary repairs on the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G, that affected their A321-271N fleet. All of Hawaiian's A321Ns are now back in service.

The report also mentioned that Hawaiian plans to keep their 717-200 fleet for at least the next three to five years, as they have calculated the timeline to reach 110,000 cycles per airframe. Currently, the airframes are approaching the 80,000 cycles mark.

UNLV Rebels Team Charter

The UNLV Rebels football team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-224ER today, for their road trip to play the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N234AX (c/n 30436, l/n 833) is making the flight from LAS to HNL as OAE2179. The Rebels will return to LAS following the game.

09 November 2024 UPDATE

The UNLV Rebels returned to LAS tonight, following their narrow victory over Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian Airlines' N208HA Moana 2 Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines' A321-271N, N208HA "Koa" (msn 8123, f/n 208), now has Moana 2 special decals applied to the fuselage, and is returning to service today. This is the second of three Hawaiian's airliners to receive the promotional decals.

Icelandair's TF-FIC

Icelandair's TF-FIC (c/n 30735, l/n 91) is making a brief fuel stop at HNL tonight from PPT as ICE1432. This 757-23N, wearing the Abercrombie & Kent special livery, will continue onto LAX, as part of a global charter flight. TF-FIC has been here before in the Abercrombie & Kent livery, while on other exclusive tours.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 140108

A CP-140M Aurora from the 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron / 19 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force made a stop at HNL before returning to YQQ [CFB Comox, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada]. 140108 (msn  285B-5709) arrived as CFC475, and departed for YQQ with the same flight number.

On a related note, the RCAF has ordered 14 P-8A Poseidons to replace the aging CP-140Ms, with deliveries slated to begin in 2026. The RCAF also has options for two more P-8As. Nothing was mentioned as to the possibility of having its own Canadian designation.