Polet Airlines An-124

This An-124-100 of Polet Airlines arrived in the early hours of the 25th of October. RA-82075 (c/n 9773053459147) landed and taxied to Hickam. It was most likely here as a military charter to haul USMC CH-53s, or other cargo.

ANA, Endless Discovery

Along with Japan Airlines, ANA is also campaigning Japan National Tourism Organization's "Japan. Endless Discovery". Seen above, is JA610A (c/n 32979/895), a 767-381ER wearing the same logo, although not as incorporated as JAL's 767s. It is unusual to see two competing airlines promoting the same thing. More info about the JNTO can be found in this link.

Koloa Aviation's N820MS

In this past Monday's episode of Hawai‘i Five-0, "Ho‘apono", Koloa Aviation's Gulfstream G-IV, N820MS (msn 1147), made an appearance as a getaway jet, and filmed at HNL.

The above photo, taken in 2005, shows N820MS taxiing out from the current Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp (formerly the Circle Rainbow Air ramp), where the G-IV is based.

Link to watch the Hawai‘i Five-0 CBS episode "Ho‘apono".

Hawaiian Adds Holiday Season Flights

Hawaiian Air announced today that they are adding three trans-Pacific flights during the holiday season: OGG-OAK, HNL-LAX and HNL-PPG.

HA press release link.

China United's B-5547

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5547 (c/n 36806), their newest 737-86N (leased from GECAS). The flight, CUA547, is not listed on FlightAware. B-5547 is seen above, parked in the alleyway fronting Castle & Cooke Aviation.

Here's an additional shot of China United Airlines B-5547 taxing into the ramp after it arrives, courtesy of team member Lono68.

The Restart Of Flights To Haneda

October 31st saw the return of regularly scheduled flights between HND and HNL by JAL and ANA. For JAL, this is a return as they flew HND-HNL from 1954 until 1978. For ANA, this is a new route.

JAL will be using their 767-300ERs on the route and JA612J, which has the "Japan Endless Discovery" decals, had the honor of the first flight.

For the departure, JA601J flew back the first return flight.

ANA also is using 767-300ERs for their HND flights. Their flight arrives approximately 1 hour after JAL's flight and leaves approximately 20 minutes after. (Sorry, no pictures of their flight)

Hawaiian will also be flying to HND, but will not start until November 17 and will also initially use their 767-300ERs before changing to the A330-200.

The flight numbers for these flights are:
JAL - JO80/89 (JL80/89 from December 1st)
ANA - NH1062/1061
HA - HA458/457

Skymark's JA73NC

Skymark Airlines' JA73NC (c/n 31743), a 737-8FZ, is making its delivery flight as SKY73NC from BFI today.

Rick Schlamp's BFI photo.

Malaysia's 9M-MXA

9M-MXA (c/n 40128) is the first Malaysia Airlines 737-800 to receive their new livery.  The 737-8H6 made its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473 yesterday with its stop at HNL.

Fortunately, we were blessed to get a photo here from a friend, as well as Drewski2112 at BFI.

Garuda's PK-GFJ

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their third 737-800 this month.  PK-GFJ (c/n 37885), a 737-86N, is making its delivery flight to Jakarta as GIA8011.

Shandong's B-5543

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5543 (c/n 39392), a 737-86N.  It's making its flight to China as CDG5543.

Xiamen's B-5551

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5551 (c/n 36697), a 737-84P. It's making its delivery flight as CXA5551. This 73H was originally allocated to Hainan Airlines, but taken by Xiamen.

China Eastern's B-5271

China Eastern Airlines' B-5271 (c/n 36772), is their newest 737-79P.  It's making its delivery flight from BFI to PVG (via HNL, MAJ & SPN) as CES299.

Seems like most 737NGs passing through HNL for China are -800s.  Except for Lion's -900s, the orders shown online with assigned construction numbers for Asian region are all -800s.  On the current order and assembly list, today's delivery is the only -700 destined for China.

JAL's OneWorld Logojet

Japan Airlines' logojet for their OneWorld alliance, JA604J (c/n 33493), has made an appearance at HNL. This 767-346ER is seen departing for NGO today as JAZ83.

Within a few days, all but one JAL flight will be 767-346ERs, as their 747-446s are being phased out.

Lion Air's PK-LHL

Another of Lion Air's 737-9GPERs, PK-LHL (c/n 37274), made its brief tech stop at HNL today as LNI1.

Sorry, no HNL photo, though team member Drewski2112 got it at BFI.

Alaska's "Starliner 75"

I arrived OGG today on N569AS (c/n 35184/2192); a 737-890 operating as flight #861 from PDX. The cold & drizzly ramp shot was at Portland this morning, and the warm and sunny picture was after we arrived. The doors of the overhead storage bins all have different pictures showing the history of Alaska Airlines. Pictures from the flight today. 

Aeros made a post back on 04-01-10 when this one was spotted at HNL. Not sure how often it's been back there. I've seen this plane at Maui only once before, and that was months ago.

Garuda's PK-GMR

Receiving their second 737-800 in two days, Garuda Indonesia's PK-GMR (c/n 30150), a 737-8U3, is being delivered today. The delivery flight is listed as GIA8021 or GIA801A.

Garuda's PK-GFI

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GFI (c/n 36805), a 737-86N leased from GECAS. It's making its delivery flight as GIA8011.

It's seen above taxiing to Rwy 8R for its second leg to MAJ.

ATI And National To Get 757-200Cs

Air Transport International (ATI) and National Airlines (Murray Air) have ordered 757-200Cs.  The 752 Combis are seen as replacement for the aging DC-8 Combi fleets of both airlines.  ATI serves HIK with military charters from the mainland to the western Pacific.  National occasionally flies to HNL from the mainland on ad hoc charter cargo flights.  The first deliveries aren't expected until 2011.

Precision Conversions and Pemco are performing passenger to combi conversions, as well as passenger to freighter conversions.

FlightGlobal.com's report on the ATI's 757-200Cs, and AirlinersGallery's report on the National 757-200Cs.

Air China's B-5525

Air China is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in the past four days. B-5525 (c/n 37886), 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as CCA52.

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

VBH9083

On October 17th, there was this flight listed on FlightAware.com bound for PAE, and the aircraft listed as a 737-700. I could not find an airline attached to the code VBH. According to one of our readers walking along Lagoon Drive, he noticed it was a Virgin Blue 737-700. There have been reports that Southwest Airlines has purchased some of VIrgin Blue's 737-700s. The aircraft are flown to PAE for interior modifications and re-painting.

Shanghai Airlines' B-5546

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5546 (c/n 39391), a 737-86N, and making its delivery flight as CSH5546.

Sorry, no HNL photo. Team member Drewski2112 got a shot of it at BFI.

Malaysia's 9M-MLH

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MLH (c/n 31723), a 737-8FZ, and is making its delivery flight as MAS5403 from BFI to KUL.

According our BFI connection, team member Drewski2112, 9M-MXA (which is ahead of -MLH) has a new livery and the new Sky Interior, and awaiting certification. MLH has the current livery and interior, and was delivered first.

Sorry, no HNL photo, but Drewski2112 got it at BFI.

Air China's B-5477

Air China's latest 737-89L to join their fleet is B-5477 (c/n 36755).  It's making its delivery flight as CCA51.

Sriwijaya Air Orders 737-800s

Another Indonesian entrant will join Lion Air and Garuda Indonesian as their new "Baby Boeings" that will use HNL as a stopover point during their flights.

Indonesian carrier Sriwijaya Air has ordered ten 737-800s to upgrade their current 737-300s and -400s.  The first new -800 is expected in 2012.

Airliners Gallery news article.

Xiamen's B-5535

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5535 (c/n 37579), a 737-85C. It's making its delivery flight as CXA5535, and will overnight at HNL from BFI.

UPS N293UP

Not rare at HNL, but rare to see on the North Ramp. This UPS MD-11F, N293UP (c/n 48473), seems to need maintenance as there was a dam of absorbent material under the left horizontal stabilizer.

JAL's JA623J - Japan. Endless Discovery

Earlier this year the Japan Tourism Agency has renewed its tourism campaign with a new slogan and logo. "Japan. Endless Discovery" has replaced "Yokoso! Japan" as their slogan. The new logo is the rising sun with cherry blossoms. Above is the new logo and slogan on JAL's 767-346ER, JA623J (c/n 36131). For comparison, the old logo and slogan is shown in the picture below.

Hawaiian And ANA Announce Partnership

Hawaiian Air CEO Mark Dunkerley and All Nippon Airways CEO Shinichiro Ito announced today that they have signed a letter of agreement that establishes a partnership between the two carriers.

The link to the Hawaiian Air press release.

Lion Air's PK-LHK

Lion Air has taken delivery of PK-LHK (c/n 37273), their second 737-9GPER in the past eight days, and is flying as LNI1.  It's seen above taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp for its brief fuel stop.

Singapore Airlines Cargo

Singapore Airlines brought in 9V-SFJ (c/n 26559, l/n 1258), a 747-412F/SCD as SQC7957, originating from Amsterdam via LAX. It made a brief tech-stop before it left for Sydney.

AmeriJet's "ZeroG" N794AJ

One of the AmeriJet "ZeroG 727-200s is in town.  N794AJ (c/n 21243), a 727-227, is making special zero gravity flights off of O‘ahu.  It's parked at the AirService Hawai‘i ramp.

It's flying as AJT212.

Here is N794AJ as it taxi's on "Charlie" heading over to the Air Service hangar.

Parked at Air Service after disembarking her "astronaut trainees"

Mahalo to team member Lono68 for the photos.

Stephanie Lum from Hawai‘i News Now went on a flight with a group of science and math teachers selected by Northrop Grumman.

This is also our 1100th post ...

The Beginning Of The End Of JAL 747s At HNL

Today, JAL's 767-300ERs have started flying flights JO72/71 and JO84/83. At the end of the month, JO74/73 and JO78/77 will also down-gauge to 767-300ERs. This change was announced in a press release on April 28, 2010.

Contrary to what was posted in the Sept. 5th post, 1 NRT-HNL flight (JO76/75) was always scheduled to remain a 747-400 until the end of the Winter schedule. This flight was never listed in the April 28 press release as being down-gauged at the end of October 2010.

United / Continental Merger Official

Today marks the beginning of the new United / Continental merger, as United Continental Holdings will oversee both UA and CO as separate subsidiaries. Until UCH receives a single operating certificate, then the two carriers will be combined.

So far, one of CO's 737-924ERs have been painted in the new combined livery. Now's the time to get shots of the older grey and current multi-blue UA liveries, as well as the current CO livery.

Once the single operating certificate is obtained, we shall see how it will affect the flights serving Hawai‘i.  The only common destination from HNL and OGG for both UA and CO is LAX.  WIll the "Air Mike" flights continue? And, what will happen to the CO hangar at HNL?

LIon Air's PK-LHJ

Lion Air's PK-LHJ (c/n 37272), a 737-9GPER, is on delivery to CGK from BFI as LNI1. It's seen above completing its HNL stopover, on its way to MAJ.

Google's N673BF

It's been reported around the web that Google has leased N673BF (c/n 23402), a 767-238ER, from the Wilmington Trust Company (Dover, DE).  It was here last year as well.

Southwest To Acquire AirTran

Southwest Airlines announced that they are acquiring AirTran.  Only for the second time, will there be another Boeing aircraft type other than a 737, AirTran's 717-200s.  In the late 70s, Braniff loaned N406BN to Southwest, and wore WN's colors.

Southwest is also looking into converting a portion of their existing orders of 737-7H4s into the -8H4 version, and having them ETOPS-capable.  There is speculation that Southwest may be ready to make a move for over-ocean flights.  There also have been speculation in the past of Southwest entering the Hawai‘i market in some form. When ATA was around, Southwest did buy a portion of ATA stock, and code-shared on ATA's flights, which included flights to Hawai‘i.

The Southwest / AirTran merger website.

Trivia: another Southwest connection to Hawai‘i, Aloha Airlines once leased a 737-2H4 from Southwest in the late 70s.

Kāne‘ohe Bay Air Show 2010

Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i hosted the Kāne‘ohe Bay Air Show 2010 this past weekend.  The air show drew over 100,000 people, and was combined with the base's annual Bay Fest carnival, concerts, and fireworks show.

The US Navy's Blue Angels Aerial Demonstration Squadron headlined the air show with their high altitude show.

This North American T-6A Texan performed as one of the opening acts in the morning.

05-5151, a C-17A from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 204th AS demonstrated its short-field capabilities, as well as its manueverability.

An F-22A Raptor from the 1st FW, Langley AFB, VA, stole the show with its demonstration of the fighter's vectored thrust capabilities.

The Blue Angels

More photos on the Blue Wave Pix facebook page.

Malaysia's 9M-MLG

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MLG (c/n 31779), a 737-8FZ, and is making its flight from BFI as MAS5403.  It's seen above taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp to overnight.

Xiamen's B-5552

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in two days, and its third this month.  B-5552 (c/n 37425), a 737-84P, was originally ordered by Hainan Airlines, but was taken up by Xiamen.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Xiamen's B-5529

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5529 (c/n 37150), a 737-85C, and is flying as CXA5529.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

USN's 165835

A US Navy C-40A Clipper, 165835 (c/n 33826), transited through HIK today. The 737-7AF is assigned to VR-57, based at NAS North Island, CA. It's seen above departing Runway 8L, devoid of any markings, except for part of its Bureau Number.

USAF's 61-018

A B-52H from the 23rd Bomber Squadron "Bomber Barons" had to abort take off on Runway 8R today.  It's seen above on Taxiway RA, leaning on it's starboard outrigger wheel.  61-018 (c/n 464445), flying as "Icer31", had to taxi back to HIK along RA then RB.  This was one of two B-52Hs in the flight.  "Icer32" turned around on a taxiway, and returned to HIK.  Departing traffic was re-routed to Runway 8L while "Icer31" taxied on RB to HIK.

The 23rd BS, based at Minot AFB, Minot, ND, is part of the 5th Bomber Wing.

Garuda's PK-GMQ

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GMQ (c/n 30149), a 737-8U3.  It's their third 737-800 delivery this month, and is flying out of BFI as GIA8011.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Shandong's B-5542

Shandong Airlines' B-5542 (c/n 40883), a 737-85N, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5542.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Alaska Launches HNL-PDX

Alaska Airlines launches service between PDX and HNL today!  ASA876 is the PDX-bound flight, and ASA877 is the return leg using their 737-890s

US Airways Star Alliance

US Airways' Star Alliance N935UW (c/n 27201, l/n 605) is seen here being fueled up for its flight to Phoenix as AWE808. This 757-2B7 was delivered to USAir in 1994.

JAL's JA701J

It has been awhile since a JAL 777-246ER has visited HNL. JA701J arrived from FUK as JO8818 and departed to HND as JO8059.

Xiamen's B-5533

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5533 (c/n 37152), their second 737-85C this week.  It's flying as CXA5533 from BFI to XMN, with a stop at HNL.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Garuda's PK-GFG

PK-GFG (c/n 37819) is Garuda Indonesia's second 737-800 delivery this month.  The 737-8BK, leased from CIT, is making its delivery flight as GIA8011, and due to stop at HNL today.

Virgin Blue's VH-VUW

Virgin Blue took delivery of VH-VUW (c/n 39449), a 737-8KG leased from Dubai Aerospace Leasing.  It delivered through LIH as VBH9082.

Mahalo to team member Drewski2112, who got a shot of VH-VUW at BFI.

Xiamen's B-5532

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5532 (c/n 37151), a 737-85C.  It's making its trek from BFI to XMN as CXA5532, and will make a stop at HNL today.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

Volga-Dnepr Airlines "20 Years"

Volga-Dnepr Airlines An-124-100 RA-82042 (c/n 977305055093) is seen here wearing special markings to commemorate 20 years of service.

It was passing through HNL as VDA4290, on a fuel stop from NGF to NYL to transport USMC CH-53Ds for deployment in Afghanistan.

Hawaii News Now blurb.

Southern Air 747-341F

Southern Air's all white 747-341F (c/n 23394 LN:627) is seen here taxing to Hickam. N789SA has been flying in and out of HNL for the last couple of weeks.

It was originally delivered to VARIG as PP-VNH in the original livery in December 1985, and was repainted in the second generation livery.

Like most 747-300s, this one was converted to a -300M(SF) in 2000, and registered as N354MC with Polar Air Cargo and Atlas Air from August 2000 to March 2004. Prior to joining the Southern Air fleet, it was previously N354FA and N354FC with Focus Air from January 2005 to October 2006.

Hainan's B-5540

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5540 (c/n 35761), their newest 737-84P, and is flying from BFI as B5540.  It's their second delivery in two weeks.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Delta To Shift From NRT to NGO

Beginning December 22nd, Delta Air Lines is switching its flight DAL612/611 from NRT to NGO, and down-sizing the aircraft from a 747-400 to a 767-300ER.  The NRT flight is will be re-numbered as DAL608/607, and will use a 767-300ER.

The Delta news release regarding the NGO-HNL flights.

China Airlines "Dreamliner"

Today, China Airlines used their "Dreamliner"-liveried 747-409 (B-18210, c/n 33734) for the charter flight from Taipei as CI 2001/2002.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Island Air!

Island Air celebrated their 30th anniversary today with an orchid lei given to each passenger departing HNL, and were given special music CD single recorded by Island Air employees.  There also was live Hawaiian music and hula in the holding area for a few hours.

In a special blessing ceremony at the Island Air hangar yesterday, each of the four Dash8-100s were give a Hawaiian name and blessed to mark the anniversary.

N805WP: Holomua

N806WP: Niau

N809WP: Hokū-pa‘a

N829EX: Kūmakani

A big mahalo to Island Air for allowing us to attend the events!

Hawaiian Codeshares With Delta

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they will begin a codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines for inter-island flights beginning on September 15, 2010.

Garuda's PK-GFH

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GFH (c/n 36850), a 737-8U3.  It's delivering from BFI to CGK as GIA8011, with stops at HNL, MAJ, and BIK.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

JAL To Delay 747-400 Retirement

Japan Airlines is delaying the retirement of their 747-446 fleet until the end of February 2011.  All of the Japan-HNL flights were to be switched 767-346ERs from November 1st.  However, JAZ76/75 from NRT is being kept as a 747-446 until next March, when it will switch to the 767-346ER.

The JAL news release of the revised winter changes.

It will be interesting to see if JAL subs 777-246ERs during peak traffic times like the Honolulu Marathon, New Year's holiday season, and Golden Week, on top of the additional charter flights.