Xiamen's B-5563

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of a GECAS-leased 737-86N today. B-5563 (c/n 38012, l/n 3550) is making the flight from BFI as CXA5563.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

United Suspends 757 Flights

Today, United Airlines has voluntarily suspended the use of all of its 96 757-222s, due to an issue with navigational software. Only the United 757s are affected, the 62 Continental 757-224s are exempt. According to FlightAware, so far, no flights in or out of Hawai‘i have been affected.

Qantas JetConnect's ZK-ZQE

Qantas JetConnect's second 737-838 landed at approximately 1600 as QFA6024 from BFI. ZK-ZQE (c/n 34185, l/n 3542) has been dubbed "William Pickering".

JAL's JA8538

Our February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classics" takes us to the Keahole-Kona International Airport, where this Japan Airlines' DC-10-40I, JA8538 (c/n 46974), offloads passengers and cargo from JAL70, their flight from NRT in a 2003 photo. I was in KOA for a Japanese TV shoot in January 2003, and saw this from the Aloha Airlines 737-200 we were on as we pulled into our gate. JA8538 is seen above on the KOA wide-body ramp.

After its retirement from the JAL fleet, JA8538 was purchased by Omega Tanker, and re-registered as N974VV. It is a frequent visitor to HNL, as it supports US Navy fighters, and it was most recently seen on 01.30.11 at HNL along with a pair of F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Up until October of last year, Japan Airlines had a daily flight from NRT to KOA, JAL70. The return segment, JAL79, made a stop at HNL. Service initially began with their 747-346s, then changed to the DC-10-40I, then finally to their 767-346ERs.

Hawaiian To Add Osaka Service

Hawaiian Airlines announced this morning that they will commence daily service between Honolulu and Kansai International Airport (Osaka, Japan) [KIX] on July 12. They will initially use their 767-300ERs, and transition to their A330-200s as more are delivered to the fleet. Hawaiian is awaiting approval by the Japanese government.

The HNL-KIX flight, HAL449, is scheduled leave HNL at 1410HST, and arrive in KIX at 1800JST (next day). The return flight, HAL450, is scheduled for a 2130JST departure, with a 1050HST arrival (same day).

Hawaiian will be competing against Japan Airlines and Delta Air Lines, each with a daily flight, on this route.

Pictured above, is Hawaiian's N581HA, "Manu o Kū" (c/n 28141), a 767-33AER, being towed to Gate 59.

The Hawaiian Air press release.

Volga-Dnepr An-124 at Hickam

We spotted this Volga-Dnepr Antonov An-124 at Hickam as we were landing on Runway 8L this morning. Registration obscured. It has titles commemorating 20 Years of An-124 operations. Similar to recent pictures of RA-82078. Aircraft departed Runway 8R at 1040L; mission unknown.

HNL-Bound JAL 767 Experiences Turbulence

A Honolulu-bound Japan Airlines flight, JAL74, encountered turbulence at FL330 (33,000 ft) on February 10, that resulted in three passengers and a flight attendant suffering injuries. JA603J (c/n 32888) was the 767-346ER involved, which resulted in assistance by the HNL ARFF. The aircraft was inspected, and made the return flight to NRT (JAL73).

According to Japanese press reports, yesterday morning's incident occurred at 0330JST, 0830HST, which would have put JAL74's location about 30 minutes prior to landing (distance unknown).

Coverage by Star*Advertiser, FlightGlobal, and Mainichi Daily News.

***Update***
As this incident occurred east of the International Date Line, and in the Hawaii time zone, the date of incident was February 10. It was reported as February 11 in Japan, because they are 19 hours ahead of Hawai‘i.

JAL Express JA336J

JAL Express' JA336J (c/n 40351, l/n 3543), is the latest 737-846 to join their fleet. Its flying as JAL8102, and arrived at HNL earlier this evening, and will depart tomorrow for MAJ.

JA336J is seen departing Runway 8R headed for MAJ.

Lion Air's PK-LHM

Lion Air's first 737-9GPER delivery for 2011 is PK-LHM (c/n 37277, l/n 3513). It made its fuel stop at HNL from BFI as LNI1. PK-LHM is seen above being towed through the narrow alleyway from the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, out to Taxiway C. It's headed for MAJ, its next stop along their island hopping delivery flight.

Prescott Support's L-100

Seen above is N3755P (c/n 382-5032) a L-100-30 (382G) of Prescott Support. This "Super Hercules" is seen here departing off 8L in crosswind conditions. Prescott Support flies out sized cargo for hire anywhere around the world and it has been speculated to also be a front company for the CIA.

Shanghai Airlines' B-5576

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5576 (c/n 38011, l/n 3531) today, and is flying as CSN576. The GECAS-leased 737-86N was originally allocated to Shanghai's parent China Eastern Airlines.

B-5576 is seen above taxiing on Taxiway C to depart for MAJ.

Qantas JetConnect's ZK-ZQD

The first of three Qantas 737-838s on order, assigned its JetConnect (New Zealand) subsidiary, is scheduled for delivery today from BFI. ZK-ZQD (c/n 34203, l/n 3515), named "Sir Edmund Hillary", is flying from BFI as QFA6024. JetConnect has already has three 737-838s and four 737-476s.

Air China's B-5447

Air China's B-5447 (c/n 40015, l/n 3509), a 737-89L, is beginning its island hopping delivery flight today from BFI as CCA51. B-5447 also has the new Boeing Sky Interior.

Air New Zealand All Black Rugby ZK-OAB

Hey guys, here are my pictures for the Air New Zealand plane that I worked this afternoon! It's the All Black Rugby A320-232 logojet, ZK-OAB (msn 4553). The plane came from LAX-HNL, as ANZ6697, and  will make its way to APW (Apia, Sāmoa) then on to AKL (Auckland), where it belongs. They will depart 31Jan11 at 0525L!

China Eastern's Charter

The first of three charter flights from PVG (Shanghai - Pudong), landed at approximately 11:30am today as CES297. With 263 passengers aboard, this flight was the first to operate under the new agreement to increase air traffic between China and Hawai‘i. China Eastern is operating these charter flights on the behalf of China CTYS Tour Holding company.

Seen above is ship B-2384 a A340-313X (msn 182), after a direct flight from Shanghai - Pudong International (PVG/ZSPD) taxing to Gate 27.

Kalitta's 747-400F

This 747-446BCF (c/n 26356, l/n 1026) now belongs to Kalitta Air as N356NA. Kalitta has plans to acquire ten 747-400Fs from Japan Airlines. This aircraft was operated by Japan Airlines Cargo as JA8911 from 1994-2010.

Omega DC-10 And USN F/A-18Fs

Regular visitor Omega Tanker DC-10-30, N974VV (c/n 46974) with two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the VFA-122 (Fleet Readiness Squadron-FRS, "Flying Eagles", NAS Lemoore, CA) in the evening sun on Saturday.

JAL Express JA335J

JA335J (c/n 40354, l/n 3525), is the latest 737-846 for JAL Express, arrived from BFI on January 29 as JAL8101. The flight was supposed to come in on January 28 as JL8102, but it was pushed back one day and had the flight number changed. It then left for MAJ on January 30.

Sorry, no picture at HNL.

Boeing BBJ N349BA

Parked at the Air Service Hawai‘i Hangar, is this sleek, crisp looking BBJ, tail number N349BA (c/n 30789, l/n 602). According to airliners.net, this is the company BBJ for the CEO of Boeing (no doubt probably here to take in the Pro Bowl).

Peter Nygård 727-100

Here's a shot of a rare aircraft not seen in HNL before. This shiny 727 belongs to Peter Nygård (As if you couldn't tell by the HUGE name across the fuselage).

VP-BPZ, a 727-17(RE) Super 27 (c/n 20327, l/n 797), arrives on Runway 04R for parking at the Air Service Hangar. Note: this aircraft has two different designs on it's tail on each side.

Peter Nygård is the chairman of Nygård International of Winnipeg, Manitoba, a company that makes women's wear. His was rated the 70th richest Canadian by Canadian Business magazine in 2009 with a net worth of US$817 million.

20327's original owner was CP Air, delivered in March 1970 as CF-CPN. In May 1977, it went to National Aircraft Leasing, and leased to Nigeria Airways as N115TA. In November 1977, it became N4002M and acquired by Fluor Corp. The Amway Corporation was next owner in November 1982, as N529AC. In September 2000, Enterprise Aviation LLC picked up the 727, and became N624VA. Its current owner, Peter Nygård, purchased the jet in May 2005 as N727PN. Three years later, it was re-registered as the current VP-BPZ.