China Southern's B-5760

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B within the past 5 days today. B-5760 (c/n 38957, l/n 4533) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN76, with its first overnight stop at HNL.

Okay Airways' B-5841

Okay Airways is taking delivery of B-5841 (c/n 41789, l/n 4532) today. The 737-8Q8, leased from ILFC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as OKA5841.

VP-CBE

This all-white A330-202 belongs to Hong Kong Jet, a VIP charter company of the Hainan Air Group. VP-CBE (msn 1321) was originally slated to be delivered to Air Asia X in July 2012, but was never taken up. 

Solaseed's JA807X

Solaseed Airlines is taking delivery of JA807X (c/n 39431, l/n 4526) this evening. The 737-81D, leased from AWAS, is making its late night delivery flight as SNJ807X. It's scheduled to depart for MAJ tomorrow morning.

We were unable to get a photo of JA807X at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

Xiamen's B-5789

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-5789 (c/n 38401, l/n 4527) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5789.

China Southern's B-5761

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5761 (c/n 38958, l/n 4527) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN61.

Volga-Dnepr's RA-82081

This An-124-100 arrived the previous night carrying two CH-53Es and a generator from NGF [Kāne‘ohe Bay MCAS] as VDA4814. RA-82081 (c/n 9773051462165) departed for NKX [Miramar MCAS] this morning with the same flight number.

Shanghai's B-2833

Shanghai Airlines is returning B-2833 (c/n 27152, l/n 560) to Aircastle, which they had under lease since it was delivered to the airline in June 1993. The 757-26D is making its ferry flight from PVG to the mainland (via SPN and HNL) as CSH2833.

Qantas' VH-OJT

Qantas flight QFA16, VH-OJT "Fraser Island" (c/n 25565, l/n 1233), with direct service between Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX/LAX) and Brisbane (YBBN/BNE) diverted to Honolulu due to a passenger requiring medical assistance early this morning. The 747-438 was in HNL for just over an hour, and was parked at gate 27. This is the second diversion for Qantas here in HNL this week. Earlier this week, a QFA A380 diverted to HNL for medical as well.

Apologies on the picture quality as I only had my cell phone available.

FlightAware's QFA16 flight info.

Hainan's B-5288

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery B-5288 (c/n 39201, l/n 4519) today. The 737-74P is making its delivery flight as B5288, and seen above after arriving from BFI.

Shandong's B-5783

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5783 (c/n 39112, l/n 4522) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5783.

Hawaiian Launches Taipei Service

In the wee hours of the morning, Hawaiian Airlines inaugurated thrice-weekly A330-243 service between HNL and TPE, with HAL807. Pre-boarding festivities included a lion dance, Hawaiian music and hula by the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders, and remarks by Governor Neil Abercrombie and V.C. Chu, of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, and Hawaiian's CFO Peter Ingram.

We were unable to attend the event.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Qantas' VH-XZH

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-XZH "Mclaren Vale" (c/n 39372, l/n 4521) today. The 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI to MEL (via HNL and NAN) as QFA6024.

QFA12 VH-OQD A380

Qantas flight QFA12, an A380-842 (VH-OQD "Fergus McMaster", msn 026) with direct service between Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX/LAX) and Sydney International Airport (YSSY/SYD) diverted to Honolulu due to a passenger requiring medical assistance early this morning. The aircraft was in HNL for just over an hour and was parked at gate 29. Today's flight, however, will continue onto BNE instead of SYD due to the crew's flight duty time limitations would have exceeded the acceptable time allowed.

Apologies on the picture quality as I only had my cell phone available.

FlightAware's QFA12 flight info.

Asiana OZ214 Crash Landing at SFO

As I'm sure you've all heard by now, but just in case you didn't, Asiana flight 214 from ICN to SFO has crashed on landing on Runway 28L. The aircraft involved was a 777-28ER, HL7742 (c/n 29171, l/n 553).

Thoughts and prayers to all on board.  Unfortunately, two passengers perished in the accident. The photos of the fuselage are stunning ... the 777 is one well-built airplane.  

Find the audio transcript of SFO ATC communicating to arrivals and departures right up to the time of the incident and shortly thereafter.  For those in the know, it is chilling to listen to.

One residual effect of the accident, is that some Australia and New Zealand flights may need to stop at HNL for fuel, as some are flying weight-restricted out of SFO.

Happy Independence Day

The HNL RareBirds team wishes you all a Happy Independence Day!

Lion Air's PK-LKT

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LKT (c/n 38733, l/n 4517) this morning. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight as LNI1.

 Mahalo to team member hal763 for the photo.

Hawaiian's A330 Flight Simulator

Hawaiian Airlines becomes the first airline to house their very own flight simulator in Hawai‘i. The Airbus A330 simulator is a state-of-the-art Class D version that features electropneumatic struts, high-definition projectors, and a full A330 flight deck. The $10million, 10-ton simulator will keep Hawaiian's pilots in the islands for simulator flights, instead of sending them to Miami, FL. With 13 A330-243s in their fleet, and another nine on order, the airline felt it was the right move.

We were privileged to participate in today's media event, and even got to do a take off and landing on HNL's Runway 8L. Each media invitee had a 15-minute demo flight in the flight simulator.

We extend a warm mahalo to the folks at Hawaiian Airlines for inviting HNL RareBirds to the event.

Video to follow ...

Korean Air Cargo's HL7374

Our July edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to November 2004, and this Korean Air Cargo MD-11F. HL7374 (c/n 48410, l/n 495) was one of the Korean Air Cargo MD-11Fs that had seasonal twice-weekly cargo flights between ICN and HNL that operated for over a year.

HL7374 was delivered to KAL in May 1992 as passenger airliner, then converted to a freighter in August 1997. Pegasus Aviation bought this MD-11F in February 2005, then leased it to Varig LOG [LC/VLO] as PR-LGE in June 2005 for a four-year period. In January 2010, Pegasus leased 48410 to Avient Aviation [Z3/SMJ] (Zimbabwe) as Z-BVT, which has since been placed in storage at ZRH as of February 2013, as the airline ceased operations two months later.

Malaysia's 9M-MSF

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MSF (c/n 40148, l/n 4512) today. This 737-8H6 is their second delivery flight within the past 11 days, and is flying as MAS5473.