NAC's N361NC

Northern Air Cargo (NAC), Aloha Air Cargo's sister company is ferrying N361NC (c/n 23260, l/n 1146), a 737-301SF to assist with AAH's operations.

23260 was originally delivered to Piedmont Airlines as N309P in September 1985. When US Air acquired Piedmont, it was transferred and re-registered as N582US. In March 1995, 23260 was sold to GECAS, then leased to America West. It wore both the original blue stripe livery and the teal and red Southwestwern-style livery. In December 2006, 23260 was converted into a freighter, and leased to TNT Airways as OO-TNJ. In March 2011, it was leased to Blue Bird Cargo as TF-BBI. In June 2012, it was leased to NAC as N361NC.

M-SFAM

A VIP-configured MD-87, M-SFAM (c/n 53042, l/n 1969), owned by Montavachi Limited, has been on HNL's South Ramp since December 23rd. The Isle of Man-registered airliner is heading out to OGG today.

53042 was originally delivered to Japan Air System [JD/JAS] in March 1992 as JA8373. When Japan Airlines acquired JAS in April 2004, it was transferred to the Japan Airlines fleet. It was supposed to go to Orient Thai Airlines [OX/OEA] as HS-MSA, but was not taken up. In February 2008, 53042 was acquired by Aircraft and Engine Support LLC, as N870SG, and stored at GYR. During that time, it received a VIP cabin configuration. Montavachi Ltd acquired 53042 in March 2012.

Mele Kalikimaka

The HNL RareBirds team wish all of our friends, fans and readers a very Merry Christmas!

China Southern's B-2927

China Southern Airlines is sending B-2927 (c/n 27290, l/n 2595), a 737-31B, to MZJ for storage as CSN2002. The ferry flight originated from LAO, and made stops at GUM, MAJ, HNL, and OAK.

B-2927 was delivered to China Southern in March 1994, under lease from ALC. The 19-year-old 737 is now being returned as the lease has expired.

TransAir's N737CS

TransAir has taken delivery of N737CS (c/n 23272, l/n 1093), a 737-2T4C/Adv, and is their second 737-200C. It arrived last week Thursday from BKI [Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia] via GUM and MAJ.

23272 was originally delivered to the CAAC as B-2506 in March 1985. When Air China was formed out of the CAAC in 1988, it was transferred into its fleet. In April 1995, it went to Air Great Wall [CGW]. In October 2002, it went to China Eastern Airlines. In June 2004, it went to Blue Dart Aviation [BZ/BDA] (India) as VT-BDI, and was converted into a freighter. In May 2013, it was acquired by CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing. Trans Air acquired N737CS in October 2013.

Spring Airlines Japan's JA02GR

Spring Airlines Japan is taking delivery of their second 737-800 today with JA02GR (c/n 41256, l/n 4714). The GECAS-leased 737-86N is making its delivery flight from BFI as JA02GR, and will overnight at HNL.

Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl Charters

This year's Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl features the Boise State Broncos against the Oregon State Beavers. The collegiate football game will be played on Christmas Eve, at 1500HST, at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.

The Broncos arrive this afternoon from BOI on an Omni Air International 767-300 team charter, OAE208.

The Beavers also arrive this afternoon from PDX on an Atlas Air 767-300 team charter, GTI8071.

Malaysia's 9M-MXP

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MXP (c/n 40153, l/n 4723) this afternoon. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL.\

Air China's B-5851

Air China is taking delivery of B-5851 (c/n 41313, l/n 4725) this morning. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-1907

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1907 (c/n 39730, l/n 4721) today. The Yunnan Peacock-clad 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES599, and will overnight at HNL.

Batik's PK-LBJ

Batik Air took delivery of PK-LBJ (c/n 38742, l/n 4726) early this morning. The 737-9GPER made its overnight delivery flight from BFI as BTK1. It made a brief fuel stop in the early morning at HNL.

Westjet's Annual 757 Service

For the third year in a row, Westjet has leased 757-200s from Thomas Cook to supplement its flights to Hawaii from Calgary [YYC] and Edmonton [YEG]. Seen above is G-FCLJ (c/n 26160, l/n 555) operating as WJA3008/3009 from YYC.

Makani Kai's N687MA Ditches Near LUP

N687MA (msn 208B1002), one of the two Makani Kai Air's Cessna C208B Grand Caravans ditched in the waters a half-mile from LUP around 15:45HST. According to news reports, one of the eight passengers died. Some passengers were rescued by the Maui Fire Department, and the US Coast Guard also rescued some of the passengers. One of those on board, swam back to shore. The Grand Caravan went down shortly after take-off from LUP. The passenger that perished in the crash was Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy.

Continuing coverage in this Hawai‘i News Now article.

Our condolences go out to Ms Fuddy's family, and thoughts and prayers go out to the crash survivors.

The above photo was taken in late October 2013.

Garuda's PK-GNC

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GNC (c/n 41312, l/n 4720) today. The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011. It will overnight at HNL, before departing for PNI tomorrow.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-GNC at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got one at BFI.

Hainan's B-5855

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5855 (c/n 39206, l/n 4716) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as B5855, and will overnight at HNL.

Qantas' VH-ZXE

Qantas Airways is ferrying VH-ZXE (c/n 24343, l/n 364), a 767-336ER from SYD to MCI (via HNL) as QFA6023.

24343 was originally delivered to British Airways as G-BNWK in April 1991. It was acquired by Qantas in December 2000.

American and US Airways Merger Complete

The merger between American Airlines and US Airways has been completed. For the time being, the two carriers will operate separately while the two airlines applies for a Single Operating Certificate, which could take up to two years. 

In March 2014, US Airways will leave the Star Alliance, and join the oneworld alliance.

Further information in this American Airlines press release.


It appears that the current AAL and AWE flights to/from Hawai‘i will remain unchanged for the time being. We will see what changes will happen when the Single Operating Certificate is obtained.

Qantas' VH-TJR

Qantas Airways is ferrying VH-TJR "Cockatiel" (c/n 24443, l/n 2398), a 737-476, from MEL to VCV for storage as QFA6027. It made stops at SYD, APW, and HNL, along the way.

VH-TJR was originally delivered to Australian Airlines in November 1992, and absorbed into the Qantas fleet a year later, after the latter acquired the former carrier. 

Shandong's B-5856

Shandong Airlines' newest 737-89L arrived this morning as CDG5856 from Boeing Field. B-5856 (c/n 40040, l/n 4712) wears a special livery to commemorate the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition. 

Batik's PK-LBI

Batik Air is taking delivery of PK-LBI (c/n 38743, l/n 4711) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as BKI1, and will make its brief fuel stop at HNL.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-LBI at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got it at BFI.