Xiamen's B-5512

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-85C this month. B-5512 (c/n 37577) is making its delivery flight as CXA5512, and made its stop at HNL later today.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

ex-Far East Air Transport N644AL

Another former Far Eastern Air Transport 757-27A, N644AL (c/n 29607), has made a stop at HNL. Previously registered as B-27011, it was delivered to FAT in August 1998.

It's now owned by Aerolease 757 MSN 29607 LLC (Plano, TX).

For its HNL stop, N644AL is parked on the north ramp.


*** Update 05.02.10 ***
N644AL left this early morning for VQQ.

China Eastern's B-2269

The fourth China Eastern Airlines MD-90-30 to be ferried to the mainland to join the Delta Air Lines fleet, is B-2269 (c/n 53589). It arrived from PVG via SPN and MAJ yesterday.

*** Update 04.30.10 ***
B-2269 left at 22:00 for MZJ via OAK.

Reduced Service From Asia

The global economic recession has rippled to affect airline service between Asia and Hawai‘i.

With Japan Airlines' October 30 exit from KOA, flights to the Neighbor Islands from Japan end. Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi and state tourism officials are pleading with JAL to restore JAZ70/79. It is a tough loss to the Big Island and the tourist industry there. JAL, however, needs to restructure their business model to regain profitability, and exit bankruptcy.

With JAL's downsizing of their fleet (see below), HNL traffic is expected to lose around 625 seats per day with the switch from their 747-446 to their 767-346ERs, including the addition of their HND flight. JAL is expected announce further actions in August.

Korean Airlines recently switched from their 747-4B5s to their A330-323Xs on their ICN-HNL flight (KAL52/51), results in a loss of 80 seats per day.

On a brighter note, All Nippon Airlines (ANA1052/1051) has upgraded from their 767-381ERs to their 777-281s, and results in an average gain of at least 70 seats per flight. That's depending on which seating layout ANA uses, currently they have three different seating arrangements for their 772 fleet ranging from 233 (3-class) to 358 (2-class).


Finding the right airline, aircraft, and destination demand may seem easier than it is, especially when serving the Neighbor Islands. JAL feels its better off directing their Neighbor Island traffic to inter-island carriers.


* Observation *
What the airlines could do, is what United does with their ORD-OGG flight (UAL3), it makes a fuel stop at KOA, since the OGG runway is too short for their 777-222s to make it to ORD. Airlines could do the same with NRT-OGG, then make a stop in KOA to take on more fuel to return to NRT ... that way they could serve two Neighbor Islands with one flight.

At one point, Maui was courting JAL for OGG service, but since the runway is too short, return flights would need to make a stop. Proposals to lengthen OGG's Rwy 2/20 have been met with opposition, saying that a longer runway will allow more tourists on the Valley Isle.

Being that both UA and DL already serve OGG and KOA, they would have existing infrastructure to handle the flights. ANA could use UA's ground handling as they do at HNL.

Should HA receive authority for their proposed HND-HNL flight(s), it could open the door for them as well.

Hawaiian Air Accepts N380HA

In an acceptance ceremony held in Toulouse, France (TLS) today, Hawaiian Airlines accepted its first Airbus A330-243, N380HA (msn 1104), "Makali‘i". N380HA is being leased from CIT Leasing.

The ceremony, which was streamed live on the Airbus website, showed Kahu Aaron Mahi blessing "Makali‘i", HA CEO Mark Dunkerley and Airbus COO John Leahy untying a maile lei at the entry door, as well as Hawaiian entertainment. The event's culminating moments were the signing of the agreement with Dunkerley, Leahy, and CIT Leasing's Jeff Knittle; and the exchange of gifts between Hawaiian Air, Airbus, CIT, and Rolls-Royce.

In the above copyrighted photo by Airbus, Hawaiian Air CEO Mark Dunkerley (with N380HA in the background) delivers his address prior to dinner. A big mahalo to Hawaiian Air & McNeil Wilson Communications for sharing this photo with us, and the permission to post it.

JAL Makes Major Announcement

Japan Airlines announced sweeping changes in a press release issued today.

Affecting Hawai‘i is the cancellation of JAZ70/79, the NRT-KOA flights effective October 30, 2010, and closing their KOA office. Also, with the retirement of their 46-plane 747-446 fleet (along with 22 A300B-600s), 767-346ERs will be the replacement aircraft for the Boeing jumbos, not their 777-246ERs. There will be a new daily flight serving HNL from HND beginning October 31, 2010. With fleet adjustment, there will be an estimated daily net loss of 625 seats.

JA613J (c/n 33849) is seen above departing Rwy 22L as JAZ79 to NRT after its stop at HNL from KOA.

N846EX

An ex-Piedmont Airlines (US Airways Express) Dash 8-102, N846EX (msn 328), is being ferried from YYC to Asia(?) via GTF, CCR, and HNL today.

*** 04.28.10 Update ***
N846EX continues onto MAJ.

Garuda's PK-GMJ

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GMJ (c/n 30144), a 737-8U3 today. It's on its delivery flight as GIA8011.

CO & UA In Merger Talks?

It looks like the merger talks between United Airlines and US Airways have broken off and now Continental Airlines has stepped into the picture, courting UA for a possible merger.

If US is now available, who will they seek to dance with next?

Hong Kong Airlines' B-KBT

Hong Kong Airlines is taking delivery of a new 737-84P, B-KBT (c/n 37422), which is leased from its parent comapnay, Hainan Airlines (HNA Group). It arrived yesterday as HKE8002. I was told of this flight arrival, but could not get accurate flight info online. It's scheduled to leave this morning for GUM.

Team member Drewski2112 got a shot of it at BFI. As you can tell in the photo, the 73H lacks titles. Since the photo was taken in mid-March, it's not sure whether "Hong Kong Airlines" were added.

Air China's B-5507

Another new Air China 737-89L, B-5507 (c/n 36753), is on its delivery flight to PEK as CCA58, that is transiting through HNL, MAJ, and SPN. It's seen above taxiing to its south ramp parking spot to overnight at HNL.

Continental's N13720

Continental Airlines ferried their Star Alliance 737-724, N13720 (c/n 28939) to HNL from MIA via IAH and LAX. According to a well-placed source, there are a few -724s that will be replacing some of the -824s assigned to GUM.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo!

Xiamen's B-5511

Xiamen Airlines' B-5511 (c/n 37576), is their newest 737-85C, and is making its delivery flight as CXA5511.

JAL's Golden Week Outlook

JAL Group is forecasting a lower Golden Week pax rate than last year, especially to international destinations. On a brighter look, extra charter flights to HNL is to be expected during the eight-day national holiday.

Just4Airlines.com article link.

Flight School Hawaii Closes

Flight School Hawaii has closed its doors due to the economic recession.

Howard Dicus' blog

USAF F-15E "Gunfighters"

Two USAF F-15E Strike Eagles have been gracing the skies for a few weeks. Ship 90-0254 (c/n 1191/E156) of the 366th Gunbusters based out of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho is seen here returning to Hickam.

Garuda's PK-GMI

Garuda Indonesia's next 737-8U3, PK-GMI (c/n 30143), is making its delivery trek from BFI to CGK as GIA8011.

Sorry, no HNL photo ... though Drewski2112 got a photo of it departing BFI.

N131MS

A 737-242/Adv, N131MS (c/n 22074), owned by Michael Slabaugh (Miami, FL), is in town. It was once registered as YA-GAC with Kam Air (Kabul, Afghanistan), leased from Phoenix Aviation (Sharjah, UAE).

22074 was originally delivered to Nordair (Canada) in 11/1979 as C-GNDM, then integrated in the CP Air, then Canadian International as Canadian carriers consolidated. In 1991, it then went onto Cayman Airways as VR-CYB. Four years later, it went onto Aviateca as N127GU. 22074 was then acquired by Phoenix Aviation, and registered as EX-047, then leased to Kam Air. The most registration was XU-U4F with PMT Air (Cambodia).

FlightAware has flight tracked (so far) from MNL-GUM-MAJ-HNL ...

Mahalo to team member Lono68 for the above photo.

Blue Angels Return To K-Bay

The US Navy's Blue Angels Aerial Demonstration Team returns to Marine Corps Air Field Kāne‘ohe Bay on September 25 and 26 for the "Kāne‘ohe Bay Air Show".

Honolulu Advertiser article link.

Shandong's B-5526

Shandong Airlines' B-5526 (c/n 31717), is their newest 737-8FZ (leased from BBAM), and is making its delivery from BFI as CDG5526.