Skymark's JA73NU

Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of JA73NU (c/n 38046, l/n 4511) this morning. The GECAS-leased 737-86N is making its delivery flight as SKY73NU, an will overnight at HNL.

VH-QQJ

A former Skytrans Airlines [NP/SKP] (Australia) Dash8-102A, VH-QQJ (msn 392), is making its ferry flight from Australia to the US mainland, and has stopped off at HNL. The flight originated from CNS (Cairns International Airport, Cairns, Queensland, Australia) on June 26th, and made its first stop at MAJ.

392 was originally delivered to Allegheny Commuter Airlines in December 1994 as N828EX (f/n ESW), that was operating for US Airways Express. It was then transferred to Piedmont Airlines in July 2004, when Piedmont merged with Allegheny Commuter. In January 2010, Skytrans took delivery of 392 as VH-QQJ.

This Dash8-102A was once sister ships with Island Air's N829EX, which was recently withdrawn from service.

WestJet Expands Hawai‘i Service

WestJet Airlines announced today that they will be expanding to daily service on their YVR-KOA and YVR-LIH flights, that will begin in December.

 Further details in this WestJet press release.

Lion Air's PK-LKU

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LKU (c/n 38691, l/n 4514) today. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop this afternoon at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ. Normally, their third segment of their delivery flight is routed MAJ-BIK, but today's third segment is routed from MAJ to CEB [Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu Island, Philippines].

38691 was originally registered as PK-LLH, but with allocations to subsidiaries Batik Air and Malindo Air, Lion has been using older registrations that were given to its allocations.

Fiji Airways Name Change Official

Beginning today, Fiji Airways becomes the official name and branding of the Fijian carrier. The Air Pacific name and branding is retired. Their A330-243s and a couple of their 737NGs have already received the new livery, and the remaining aircraft will be repainted.

Further information in this Fiji Airways press release.

Ex-bmi G-WWBM

An ex-bmi A330-243, G-WWBM (msn 398), owned by ILFC, is parked on the North Ramp at HNL. This aircraft was stored at Victorville (VCV) when bmi ceased operations and was merged into British Airways. It's not sure where this aircraft came from as there is no listing on Flightaware, but a search on Flightradar24 shows G-WWBM leaving from Manila (MNL) heading east.

According to PlaneSpotters.net, G-WWBM is slated to be leased to Thomas Cook Airlines.

Hawaiian And American Announce Frequent Flyer Partnership

Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines announced this morning that will begin a frequent flyer partnership on most flights across the US mainland. The two carriers will have a reciprocating earn/redeem program between HawaiianMiles and AAdvantage. Flights between Hawai‘i and the mainland will be excluded from the partnership.

Hawaiian Launches SDJ Service

This morning, Hawaiian Airlines launched service to SDJ (Sendai International Airport, Sendai, Miyagi-ken, Japan) with HAL441. N589HA was the 767-300ER making the inaugural flight.

China Southern's B-5746

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their fourth 737-81B this month, with B-5746 (c/n 38952, l/n 4505). It's making its delivery flight from BFI this morning as CSN201.

China Eastern's B-5779

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5779 (c/n 39726, l/n 4503) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight as CES299, and seen above on HNL's South Ramp.

Mahalo to team member Hal763 for the photo.

Shandong's B-5755

Shandong Airlines took delivery of their third 737-800 this month. B-5755 (c/n 40043 l/n 4504) arrived from BFI as CDG5755 on June 22, and left for MAJ today, June 23, with the same flight number. This 737-89L was originally assigned to parent company, Air China, but reassigned to Shandong.

China United's B-5840

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5840 (c/n 41304 l/n 4493) tonight. The 737-89P, originally ordered by parent company China Eastern Airlines, was allocated to CUA, and is making its delivery flight as CUA840.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5840 at HNL.

Thomson To Hawai‘i?

Thomson Airways hinted that Hawai‘i (along with Australia and South Africa) could be one of their new 787 Dreamliner destinations within a few years. 

 Further information in this Bloomberg article.

Moroccan Government's CN-MVI

The Moroccan Government's BBJ2, CN-MVI (c/n 37545, l/n 2696) is making a stop at HNL today. It's seen above on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp.

Larry Ellison To Buy go!

It's being reported that Island Air owner Larry Ellison will purchase go! from the Mesa Air Group, under the Island Air branding. The formal announcement is slated for June 28th.

Further information in this Pacific Business Journals article.

Malaysia's 9M-MSE

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MSE today. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473. It will arrive this afternoon, and overnight at HNL.

9M-MSE is the first new-build 737-800 to wear the modified Malaysia Airlines titles like those being worn on their A380 fleet.

China Southern's B-5745

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5745 (c/n 39848, l/n 4498) this morning, and is making its delivery flight as CSN9. It's their third 737-81B within the past eight days, and seen above taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

Malindo's 9M-LNJ

Malindo Air is taking delivery of second 737-9GPER within the past ten days. 9M-LNJ (c/n 38690, l/n 4495) is making its delivery flight as MLO1. It was originally ordered by Lion Air as PK-LLG.

*** 06.20.13 Update ***
As of 0930HST, 9M-LNJ is still sitting on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, in the alleyway fronting Lagoon Drive, with its nose facing Diamond Head. It departed later in the day.

Apology

Aloha HNLRareBirds Fans!

I want to apologize for the delay in posting my photos of the most recent 737 delivery flight posts. I have been able to take the photos, but photo editing time has been cut down a bare minimum with my work & business schedules. I will do my best to get those photos uploaded soon.

Mahalo,

BlueWave707

Xiamen's B-5788

Today, Xiamen Air is taking delivery of their second 737-85C this month. B-5788 (c/n 38382, l/n 4497) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5788.