Next AQ 732 to retire and MyTravel A330

A picture of the MyTravel A330 parked on the north ramp:



The next AQ 732 to leave the fleet, N827AL, is currently in the hanger with its tail painted over.

MyTravel A330

A MyTravel Airways A330-343X (OY-VKH, c/n 356) is on the north ramp after arriving from SFO. It's on an around-the-world charter as VKG1956. Check out the great shot above by ha763.

China Xinhua's B-5153

A China Xinhua Airlines (Hainan Air Group) 737-84P, B-5153 (c/n 34029, l/n 1921), was in town as well, down on the south side.

Naked 737-700!

This unpainted Boeing 737-7ES (c/n 33477, l/n 1885) stopped off @ HNL as BOE203. Apparently, an ETOPS test flight, and scheduled to head down to Australia. Word is, this 73G will become another "Wedgetail" AWACS platform for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Two ex-US 737-3B7s

Two ex-US Airways 737-3B7s, N384US (c/n 22957) [above] and N396US (c/n 23318), arrived @ HNL on Sunday around 1430L. They are headed for somewhere in Asia. Sorry, I was unable to get a photo of N396US, which departed HNL for MAJ @ 0930L. N384US's departure was delayed until 1315L.

United 747-400s

United Airlines substituted 747-422s in place of the 777-222 for the SFO-HNL-SFO run (UAL073/074) for a few days. N181UA is seen here departing Rwy 8R on the 21st.

Privately Owned 767-300

This 767-3P6ER (N804MS, c/n 27255) is owned by Interface Operations LLC rests on HNL's south ramp. This current flight flew in from AFW via LAS and OGG. This photo of N804MS was taken back in late Nov 05.

Continental 757s

Continental Air Lines has been using 757s, both -200 and -300 series on the LAX - HNL - LAX (COA003/012) run this weekend, instead of their usual 767-424ERs. A 752 was used on Friday's and Saturday's flights. A 753 (N75858, c/n 32817), seen here being towed to the north hardstands, was used on today's flight. Sunday's flight is listed as a 752.

An MD-90 Daily Double

An MD-90-30 from EVA Air (B-17916, c/n 53539) [left] and another MD-90-30 from UNI Air (B-17915, c/n 53538) [right] sit on the south ramp preparing to depart for LAX, as these two birds are being returned to their lessors. The flights began from TPE, then routed through GUM, MAJ, HNL, and LAX.

EMB-135 "Legacy"

Want to see an Embraer ERJ series in Hawai‘i? This is one way ... the EMB-135BJ "Legacy". Of the bizjets that pass through HNL, this is one of the rare ones. This HNL RareBird, N702CM of SCSM Aviation, arrived from OGG, and continued on to its home base @ LAS. Cool color scheme, huh.

Aloha Airlines' new 737-200s

Aloha Airlines is bringing back the "Funbird" color scheme of the 1970s on one of the 'new' 737-200s that are replacing the high-time -200s in the current fleet.

Two of the "new" 737-200s:
Aloha | 737-2P6 | N1PC | 21613/LN 530 | new aircraft 3/06
Aloha | 737-210C | N834AL | 20917/LN 344 | BF Estafeta Carga 3/06 ex XA-ABX

Mandarin A340

Recently China Air has been using A340s from their subsidary, Mandarin Airlines, to fly their non-stop TPE-HNL flights, CI001/002. Here's a picture from a rare clear, sunny, non-raining morning (before the rains started about 30 min. later) on March 30.

Air China's B-5208

Air China's B-5208 (a 737-79P, c/n 33041), arrived today from BFI under dreary rain. Did not have a chance to get a shot of it. Bet the pilots thought they never left Seattle. :D

Airport renovations and expansions

The State of Hawaii has finally announced the renovations and expansions for all Hawaii airports. More information on the links below:
Fact Sheet
Presentation Slide Show

** Image from pdf **

Go! A first look

Mesa's "Hawaii" look. Go anticipates a June start up.

** Image from Go's website **

Island Air's N847EX

Island Air's newest Dash8-103, N847EX, lands on Rwy 26R from Buchanan Field, CA, on its delivery flight. This Dash8 wears the "Island Rhythm" tail design.

Shanghai Airlines' B-5148

Shanghai Airlines' 737-86N(W), B-5148 (c/n 34254), overnighted here amidst the rain, and last night's thunderstorm, on its delivery flight. This 738 is on lease from GECAS. It's seen here being pushed back onto Taxiway C, for departure to MAJ.

Okay Airways B-2865

Okay Airways (China) has their new 737-83N(W) on its way home from the Boeing factory. It stopped here for an overnighter, before continuing across the Pacific. It's seen here on the south ramp, minutes before it would get drenched by rain. This aircraft was ferried from MIA, under its former registration, N332TZ, when it was with ATA.

Island Air's New Era

Island Air unveiled it's new look today at a press conference and media flight that I got to attend, and ride the new bird. It included a Hawaiian blessing of their new Dash8-Q400 (N539DS) [top], a Dash8-103 (N979HA) [center] in new colors, and a CL-601 (N45PH) [above] for jet charters. About 40 guests were treated to a flight from HNL to OGG (low pass only) then back to HNL.

On a personal note, the ride on the Q400 is awesome! We made it to OGG in 22 minutes! And @ FL130? It offers a better view of Maui County in either direction.

A big Mahalo to the folks at Island Air and Communications Pacific for allowing me to attend this special event, and be on the media preview flight.

FedEx's N813DE

A Federal Express MD-11, N813DE (c/n 48600), arrived from LAX today with a little too much excitement. FDX9048 was on final for Rwy 8L when the pilot needed to go around due to an unsafe landing gear warning. It was instructed to cycle around for another approach. On the 2nd try, the ex-DL colors jet blew a tire on landing. Emergency crews were waiting the jet's arrival, and encircled it as it stopped on taxiway D. After inspections by HNL personnel, the MD-11 was towed to the FedEx ramp.