Sriwijaya Air's 2-AERK

Sriwijaya Air is returning its former PK-CMW "Bersyeba" (c/n 30033, l/n 1149) to AerCap. This 737-83N is now wearing an Isle of Man registration of 2-AERK, and Jet Test is making the ferry flight. Its ferrying from XSP to MZJ, via SZB, GUM, and HNL, as JTN183.

30033 was originally purchased by ILFC, and leased to American Trans Air (then ATA Airlines) in June 2002 as N323TZ. It was returned to ILFC in April 2008 as ATA closed its doors. Four months later, it was leased to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GEG. In May 2014, it was acquired by AerCap, and the lease was transferred, until June 2016. That October, it was leased to Sriwijaya Air as PK-CMW, and flew with the airline until November 2019. A month later, it was flown to XSP for storage.

Cebu Pacific Air's RP-C3237

Cebu Pacific Air is ferrying RP-C3237 (msn 5045) from MNL to LCQ [Lake City, FL], via GUM, HNL, and ONT. The A320-214 is making a stop at HNL after arriving from GUM. 

RP-C3237 was delivered to Cebu Pacific in March 2012 under lease from RBC. Three months later, SMBC took over the lease. It was withdrawn from service in March 2020. The A320 is being ferried to LCQ for storage.

Mahalo to 808Spotter for the top photo.

16 July 2020 Update

Allegiant Airlines acquired RP-C3237 from SMBC, and registered as N284NV (f/n 284). It remains parked at LCQ.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N816HC

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's fourth ATR72F, N816HC (msn 389), has repositioned from SAT [San Antonio, TX] to CDL [Couer d'Alene, ID], as Empire Airlines preps it for delivery to HNL. This ATR72-201F made the flight as CFS400. It was ferried from SNN [Shannon, Ireland] to SAT via BFS [Belfast, Northern Ireland], KEF [Reykjavik, Iceland], YYR [Goose Bay Newfoundland], BGR [Bangor, ME], and DAY [Dayton, OH] from 05 March to 08 March.

389 was originally delivered to TransAsia Airways [Taiwan] in January 1994 as B-22716. In May 2007, it was acquired by Farnair Switzerland, converted to a freighter, and registered as HB-AFN. Farnair was acquired by ASL Aviation Group, and rebranded as ASL Airlines Switzerland. In January 2016, it was transferred to ASL Airlines Ireland as EI-SLT. In February 2020, this ATR72F was purchased by ‘Ohana by Hawaiian as N816HC.

Asia Pacific Airlines Retires N705AA

Asia Pacific Airlines is ferrying N705AA (c/n 22462, l/n 1751) from GUM to IGM (via MAJ, HNL, and OAK) as MGE900. This 727-223F/Adv is being retired, and headed for storage. It's making its final stopover at HNL tonight. Before departing GUM, N705AA received a water-cannon salute from the airport's fire/rescue department. The future for N705AA is uncertain, as it underwent a heavy maintenance check two years ago.

With N705AA's departure from the Asia Pacific fleet, this effectively ends 727 operations at HNL, though the airliner had been relegated to its GUM base since late 2018. Boeing 727 began with Continental Airlines' Air Micronesia in the 1970s.

01 Feb 2021 UPDATE

N705AA was acquired by Astral Airlines (Kenya).  It was ferried from IGM to NBO (via OPF, BGI, and DKR), from 19 -21 Jan 21. The Kenyan registration is not known.

Air China's B-6130

Air China's A330-243, B-6130 (msn 930), brought in the People's Republic of China's foreign ministry delegation that is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his delegation, here in Honolulu. The flight arrived from PEK as CCA57.

Mokulele Airlines And Makani Kai Air To Merge

Mokulele Airlines announced that they will be merging with Makani Kai Air, combining inter-island operations to the smaller Hawai‘i airports. Mokulele also announced that they will start non-stop service between HNL and LNY.

Makani Kai Air's four Cessna C208Bs will be transferred.

Further information in this MauiWatch.com article.

Aloha Air Cargo's New Service

Aloha Air Cargo has launched new service between ONT [Ontario, CA] and GSO [Greensboro, NC] as AAH710/AAH711 today. The airline moved N301KH "Kū Haʻaheo" (c/n 27904, l/n 2691), a 737-330SF, was ferried to ONT (via OAK) on May 29th.

According to sources, the route, flying for the US Postal Service, is scheduled to last a couple of months, but is open to be extended.

Continental Airlines' N76062

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic"goes back to July 2004, with Continental Airlines' 767-424ER, N76062 (c/n 29457, l/n 869, f/n 062), seen above parked at Gate 24 (now Gate D1).

N76062 was delivered to Continental Airlines in March 2002, and was transferred to the United Airlines fleet when Continental was taken over in 2010, and given the fleet number 0062. It still flies with United, and was most-recently here on March 17th from EWR. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been parked at ROW.

Miami Air International Closes Doors

It was announced today that Miami Air International has shut down its operations. The airline was not able to obtain new financing to keep the charter airline in business, during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Their employees were laid-off, and their 737-800 fleet (parked as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic) have now been returned to its lessors.

Miami Air International used to fly in and out of HNL for US Navy personnel charters, as well as Hawai‘i Department of Corrections inmate transfer flights between IWA and HNL.

Kalitta Air's N709CK

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to March 2004, with Kalitta Air's 747-132SF, N709CK (c/n 20247, l/n 159), seen above taxing out to Runway 8R to return to LAX.

20247 was originally delivered to Delta Air Lines in November 1971 as N9900. Boeing acquired it in April 1977 to convert it to a freighter, and three months later, sold to Flying Tiger Line as N805FT. When Federal Express acquired Flying Tigers in 1989, it was transferred, and re-registered as N625FE. In May 1993, it was acquired by Air Hong Kong as VR-HKC. A year later Kalitta / American International Airways purchased this 747-132SF, and registered it as N625PL. In June 1998, it was re-registered as N709CK. From February 1999 to December 2000, it was leased to AIA's Kitty Hawk International subsidiary, then returned to AIA (which re-branded to Kalitta Air). N709CK flew with Kalitta Air until December 2008, when it was stored at OSC, and was scrapped there in June 2015. The registration has been transferred to a Kalitta 747-4B5F (c/n 26396, l/n 951).

Delta A350 Charters

Two Delta Air Lines A350-941s are flying military charters from UTP [U-Tapao International Airport, Rayong, Thailand] to HNL. This pair of A350s are bringing home 1,350 US Army soldiers stationed at Schofield Barracks. N512DN (msn 267, f/n 3512) flying as DAL8956, and N513DZ (msn 277, f/n 3513) flying as DAL8958, with the first batch of soldiers today. The A350s will be back at HNL tomorrow with another group of soldiers.

Spotting Alert

Due to the state and counties COVID-19 "Shelter-In-Place" proclamation that lasts until April 30th, we do not recommend heading down to any of the exterior spotting locations around any of the state's airports. Hawai‘i State Sheriff's deputies are on patrol in the lots, and are warning about loitering in the lots.

Most of the international flights have been suspended. Domestic trans-Pacific passenger flights have been greatly reduced. Cargo flights are still going on as scheduled.

Harmony Airways' C-GMYC

Our April edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" dates back to December 2005, and Harmony Airways' 757-258, C-GMYC (c/n 23917, l/n 152), pictured above exiting Runway 4R on Taxiway K, after a flight from YVR.

23917 was originally delivered to El Al Airlines in November 1987 as 4X-EBL (f/n 501), under lease from Boeing Capital, and returned in January 2001. It was leased to HMY Airlines in November 2002 as C-GMYC (f/n 801). The airline re-branded as Harmony Airways in May 2004, but ceased operations in June 2007. This 757 has been sitting in storage at GWO since Harmony's closure.

Estafeta N477VX

N477VX (c/n 28861, l/n 2910), a 737-46QF owned by VX Capital Partners, is making its ferry flight from CGK to SBD, via BIK, MAJ, and HNL. The 737 due to be leased to Estafeta Cargo Area [México], and is already painted in their livery. It's scheduled to make a brief fuel stop at HNL tonight.

28861 was originally delivered to Air Europa in July 1997 as EC-GPI, leased from Boullion AS. From April 1998 to April 2001, it was sub-leased to Iberia. In July 2002, it was sold to Aviation Capital Group, and leased to Air One as EI-CXI. In July 2007, it was leased to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GZP until June 2012. Two months later, it was sold to VX Capital Partners, and converted to a freighter. Gading Sari Aviation Service was the first lessee for the freighter in March 2013 as 9M-GSB. When they shutdown in February 2015, it was transferred to Asia Cargo Express, and flew until September 2018, then stored at CGK six months later. It was painted in the Estafeta livery earlier this year, and will receive a Mexican registration upon delivery.

Hawaiian Airlines Parks Majority Of Its Fleet

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting air travel, Hawaiian Airlines has parked a majority of their 717-200, A321-271N and A330-243 fleet at HNL. The 717-200s are parked outside their Cargo facility, while the A321-271Ns have been towed to Taxiway F, and the A330-243s have been towed to Runway 8L.

Qantas Retires Their 747-400 Fleet

Accelerated by the COVID-19 global pandemic, Qantas Airways retired its remaining 747-438s. The airline had supplemental 747 flights for their SYD-HNL service for the spring schedule, but that came to a quick end. VH-OEI "Ceduna" (c/n 32913, l/n 1330) is seen above, seconds from touching down on Runway 8L.

On a related note, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines also retired their 747-406 fleet this week. PH-BFE "Melbourne" (c/n 24201, l/n 763) is seen above, in a 2010 photo while on final for LAX's Runway 25L.

Miami Air International Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Aeronewsx.com reports that US charter Airlines, Miami Air International, has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Miami Air International 737-800s are frequent visitors to HNL with charters for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Public Safety; and HIK for crew transfer charters for the US Navy.

N735MA "Arlene" (c/n 37260, l/n 3688, f/n 735), is pictured above as this 737-8K5 taxies to a hardstand on a recent DPS charter flight from the mainland.

COVID-19 Relief Flights

Other than the two Wamos Air flights to take cruise ship passengers back to Europe, here is a brief list of other airlines providing assistance:

03.23.20
HAL930 | YVR | N389HA
SCX8682 | YVR | N808SY
SCX8652 | LAX | N821SY

03.24.20
HAL936 | LAX | N389HA
SCX8654 | LAX | N821SY

03.25.20
SCX8656 | LAX | N821SY
QFA6034 | SYD | VH-QPB


We will update this list as flight information becomes available.

Amazon Prime Air's N547RL

Amazon's Prime Air is taking delivery of N547RL (c/n 32348 l/n 933), a 737-83NF, leased from GECAS, and to be operated by Sun Country Airlines. It's making its delivery flight from PVG to PAE  (via PNH, SPN, and HNL), and made an overnight stop at HNL last night. Sun Country will be operating cargo flights for Amazon Prime Air within the continental US, and registered as N5261A.

32348 was originally delivered to American Trans Air in August 2001 as N306TZ, leased from GECAS, and flew with ATA until January 2005. GOL Transportes Aéreos was the next lessee, who received this 737 in April 2005 as PR-GIB. Four years later, it was subleased to Transavia as PH-HSS, for a six month period, after which the aircraft was returned to GECAS. In June 2010, it was leased to Sky Airlines as TC-SKS "Dalaman". In July 2013, it was leased to Pegasus, as TC-IZD "Buglem Sera", and flew until June 2019. A month later, it was ferried to PVG for storage, where it underwent freighter conversion.

Wamos Air Charters

Two Wamos Air 747-4H6s, EC-KXN (c/n 25773, l/n 1023, -446) and EC-MQK (c/n 28427, l/n 1147), are making charter flights from MAD to HNL, to pick up tourists from cruise liners due to the COVID-19 global health crisis. EC-KXN is flying as PLM948P, and EC-MQK is flying as PLM946P. While awaiting their departure times, both 747s will be parking on Taxiway RH.

03.34.2020 UPDATE
EC-MQK departed this morning for FRA as PLM9461, and EC-KXN departed this afternoon for LGW as PLM9481.