JTA Orders 737-800s

Japan TransOcean Air (JTA) has ordered a dozen 737-800s to replace their current 737-400s, with deliveries expected beginning in 2016. The JAL subsidiary had some of their -400s deliver through HNL in the mid-90s. It's presumed that some of these -800 deliveries will stop through HNL.

Further details in this Boeing press release.

JTA's JA8954

Today's HNL RareBirds Classic features JTA, Japan TransOcean Air (NU/JTA), it is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, that is a regional carrier based in Naha, Okinawa, and serves the southwestern region of Japan. Before being acquired by JAL, JTA was known as Southwest Air Lines, and is not to be confused with USA's Southwest Airlines (WN/SWA), though both operate an all-737 fleet.

JTA's JA8954 (c/n 24130), a 737-4K5, seen above in front of the Circle Rainbow Aviation hangar, on its delivery flight. It remains with JTA and flies in the current JTA/JAL colors. JA8954 was orignally delivered to Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) as D-AHLQ in 1990, then sold to JTA in 1998.