Aloha ‘Oe go!

Mesa Air Group's go! flies its final inter-island flight tonight, with ASH43 from ITO to HNL, as they close their Hawai‘i operations. The 100+ employees will probably transfer to their mainland contract operations, and the five CRJs will be ferried back to their base at PHX.

According to Hawai‘i News Now, their final day got off to a bad start with ASH1021 (HNL-OGG) canceling because of a mechanical issue, and afternoon flights delayed.



04.01.14 Update

Both N27318 and N407SW are parked at their Commuter Terminal gates.

04.08.14 Update
N407SW departed for PHX today as ASH1100.

Sayonara 747 Jumbo!

Today, All Nippon Airways (ANA) retired their last 747-481D after a round trip flight from Haneda (HND) to Naha, Okinawa (OKA). JA8961 (c/n 25644, l/n 975) had the honors of flying as ANA127 (HND-OKA) and ANA126 (OKA-HND).  Both flights were delayed, likely due to commemoration activities.  This marks the end of nearly 36 years of 747 service at ANA, and 44 years of 747 service by Japanese airlines.

ANA operated a total of 46 747s.  The first 747-SR81, JA8134, was delivered on December 20, 1978 and the last 747-481D, JA8966, was delivered on December 11, 1995.  ANA operated 17 747-SR81s, six 747-281Bs, ten 747-481s, and 13 747-481Ds.

At HNL, ANA has historically mainly operated 747-281Bs, but did occasionally have 747-481s on charters and extra section flights.

Further coverage in this Japan Today article Japan to bid farewell to 747 Jumbo, and this post from Zipanguflyer.

China Southern's B-2922

China Southern Airlines is ferrying another 737-31B, B-2922 (c/n 27272, l/n 2555), from from CAN to GWO [Greenwood-Leflore Airport, Greenwood, MS], via LAO, GUM, MAJ,  HNL, and OAK. It's making its ferry flight as CSN2002. This will be the last flights that B-2922 will make, as it will be parted out and scrapped at GWO.

B-2922 was delivered to China Southern in December 1993.

Ex-Garuda 737-300

A former Garuda Indonesia 737-3U3 is making its ferry flight from CGK to LAX (via BIK, MAJ, and HNL) this morning. All we know so far, is that it only had it's Garuda markings on the rudder, and all-white livery, and it overnighted at Castle & Cooke Aviation. It departed HNL as GIA8011, and was tracked briefly on FlightRadar24, then on its approach into LAX.

No registration nor Mode-S code were listed.

JAL Up-Gauges To 787-8

Beginning today, Japan Airlines becomes the first airline to serve HNL with regularly scheduled 787-8 from NRT. Actually, JAL has converted two NRT flights, JAL786/785 and JAL 784/783 from the 767-346ER to the 787-8. The rest of the Japan-HNL flights are now operated by 777-246ERs.

For today's flights, JAL786/785 is operated with JA824J (c/n 34834, l/n 27), and JAL784/783 is operated with JA834J (c/n 34842, l/n 98).

JTA Orders 737-800s

Japan TransOcean Air (JTA) has ordered a dozen 737-800s to replace their current 737-400s, with deliveries expected beginning in 2016. The JAL subsidiary had some of their -400s deliver through HNL in the mid-90s. It's presumed that some of these -800 deliveries will stop through HNL.

Further details in this Boeing press release.

World Airways Shuts Down

World Airways [WO/WOA] operated its final flight last night, as an attempt at securing additional funding for the charter airline fell through. The above photo of N742WA (c/n 27071, l/n 1072), a 747-412F, was taken this past February as WOA8810, a military charter flight. The above photo of N270WA (c/n 48449, l/n 455) was taken in 2011.

World Airways operated many charter flights for the US Department of Defense (DoD) that stopped through HIK since it gained government contracts. At the height of the Viet Nam War, World's 707-373Cs and DC-8-63CFs were frequent visitors to HIK. During the mid-1980s, World Airways operated low-cost DC-10-10 scheduled service between HNL and LAX, and HNL and OAK, which lasted only a few years. World had gone through financial struggles in the 1990s and 2000s, and concentrated on the cargo market, and military ad hoc charters.

Further details in this World Airline News article.


On a personal note, I had flown on one of those HNL-LAX round-trip flights on World in August 1985, and the total fare per person was just US$200 (+ taxes and fees). World used the Tom Bradley International Terminal for these flights.

French Air Force's F-RAJA

F-RAJA (msn 075), an A340-212 belonging to the French Air Force's (Armée de l'Air) Commandment du Transport Aérien Militaire Français (COTAM), has been making stops at HNL recently. According to FlightRadar24.com, flies from HNL to YVR, then CDG. F-RAJA departed HNL this morning as "COTAM1018" (above), and was seen last Thursday parked at Gate 34.

COTAM has two A340-212, the other is F-RAJB (msn 081).

Malaysia's 9M-MXT

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MXT (c/n 40157, l/n 4848) this afternoon. The 737-8H6, their second this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of 9M-MXT at HNL.

Thai Lion's HS-LTM

Thai Lion Air is taking delivery of their second 737-9GPER this month, and within the past twelve days, with HS-LTM (c/n 38749, l/n 4843). Like the other delivery flight from BFI this month,  HS-LTM did a late-night delivery flight as LTM1, with a brief fuel-stop at HNL before continuing onto to CEB and DMK.

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

Spring Air Japan's JA03GR

Spring Airlines Japan [IJ/---] is taking delivery of JA03GR (c/n 41272, l/n 4819) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as JA03GR, and is overnighting at HNL.



03.30.14 Update

For unknown reasons, JA03GR has yet to leave on its next delivery flight leg, and was moved to the South Ramp (above photo).



04.01.14 Update
JA03GR left this afternoon for MAJ.

Hainan's B-1929

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1929 (c/n 39209, l/n 4838) this morning. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1929, and will overnight at HNL. B-1929 is seen above taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

ZK-NGO

A former Air New Zealand 737-37Q, ZK-NGO (c/n 28548, l/n 2961), is being ferried back to the US mainland, as its lease with GECAS has expired. According to MRC Aviation, the flight routing is CHC to GYR (via APW and HNL).

28548 was purchased by GECAS, then delivered to British Airways in December 1997 as G-OAMS. It was named "Rendezvous", and featured a Japanese calligraphy "World Tail". In October 2002, it was leased to Air New Zealand as ZK-NGO.


04.10.14 Update

It was registered as N285CL (Cara Aircraft Leasing, Deerfield Beach, FL) after it arrived at GYR.

QFA11 VH-OQF A380

 

Qantas flight QFA11, an A380-842 (VH-OQF "Charles Kingford Smith", msn 029), with direct service between Sydney International Airport (YSSY/SYD) and Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX/LAX), was diverted to Honolulu due to a passenger requiring medical assistance early this morning. The aircraft was in HNL for just over an hour, and continued on to LAX. This is now the second Qantas A380 diversion into HNL within a month.

Shenzhenʻs B-1938

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1938 (c/n 37618, l/n 4834) this morning. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ903, and will overnight at HNL.

‘Ohana's "Lāna‘i Celebration"

This morning, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian invited a few members of the niche market media and local travel industry social media influencers on a day trip to Lāna‘i. We gathered at Gate 49 in the Inter-Island Terminal to board N804HC "Holo Kaomi". Among those accompanying us on the trip were Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley, ‘Ohana by Hawaiianʻs Managing Director Hadden Watt, livery designer Sig Zane and family, Maui Senator J. Kalani English, and the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders. 

We boarded at around 0910HST, I was seated in seat 2A, which is also the exit row on an ATR42. With everyone seated, we pushed back seven minutes ahead of departure time. After three Hawaiian Airlines take off and landings ahead of us, it was our turn to depart from Runway 8L. Our flight to Lāna‘i reached an altitude of FL070 at 295kts. The 18-minute flight was smooth, as was the landing on LNYʻs Runway 3. We parked at Gate 3, and deplaned to the main terminal (above). The weather at the airport was sunny and cool (70ºF / 21ºC), with a nice breeze blowing. We boarded Mercedes Sprinter vans from the Four Seasons Lāna‘i at Manele Bay to take us to the Lāna‘i Senior Center in Lāna‘i City where the celebration would take place.

The celebration was held with some of the kupuna (elder citizens) of Lāna‘i City. Members of the Hawaiian Airlines team that traveled with us visited with the "aunties and uncles" (a common term of endearment for older local residents) as the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders and Dancers prepared for their show. The show was similar to the pre-boarding celebrations when Hawaiian launches a new route. Mark Dunkerley led off the speeches, by thanking the residents of Lāna‘i for welcoming them back, as now they can seamlessly fly the Hawaiian Airlines route network from LNY. Hadden Watt spoke next, followed by Sig and Kuha‘o Zane (who talked about the livery), Senator J. Kalani English, and Maui County Council-member G. Riki Hokama. After a brief prayer in Hawaiian, a buffet lunch was served for everyone attending.

Our next venture was to the Four Seasons Lāna‘i at Manele Bay, where we would embark on a short hike to see Pu‘u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock). After getting settled, we began the hike from the pool area, then across Hulopo‘e Beach, then up to Pu‘u Pehe. We spent several minutes up there taking photographs, and a short break before heading back to the resort. We then boarded the Sprinter vans to take us back to LNY.

LNY is a quaint airport with three airlines serving it. It has four gates, but one large holding area. Once we all cleared TSA, it was a short wait before we boarded "Holo Kaomi" through Gate 3, to take us back home to HNL. We back-taxied down Runway 3 to the approach end to take-off, and got off the ground quickly, then making a 180º left turn to head back to HNL. The 21-minute flight was fairly smooth, flying at FL060 at 295kts. We landed on Runway 8L, and taxied back to Gate 49. That was a great day trip, and an incentive for future getaways to Lāna‘i!

HNL RareBirds extends a big mahalo to Mark Dunkerley and his staff at Hawaiian Airlines for hosting this trip and the activities!

JA829J's Repair Complete

It appears that the repairs to the number two engine of JA829J has been completed, and is seen parked at Hard Stand H, next to the United Airlines Hangar. On this past Sunday, crews had the nacelles open, and the engine was missing (sorry, no photo). This photo was taken as the aircraft this morning. It would later taxi to Taxiway RA for engine run-ups.


03.20.14 Update

This evening, JA829J returned to HND on a ferry flight as JAL8141.

China Southern's B-1918

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1918 (c/n 39815, l/n 4831) this morning. The 737-81B, China Southern's second delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1918, and will overnight at HNL.

‘Ohana Launches LNY Service

‘Ohana by Hawaiian launched the first of it's two daily flights between HNL and LNY this morning.

The above photo was taken last week.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

go! To Cease Hawai‘i Service

The Mesa Air Group announced this afternoon that their go! Hawai‘i operation will cease on 31 March 2014, and their five CRJ200s will be reassigned within Mesa's network. go!'s last flight will be on March 31st. Their website has the formal announcement on their home page. No word was given as to the displacement of the go! employees. The airline is in the process of sending three of the five CRJs back to their PHX base.

go!'s present CRJs: N27318 (above) and N407SW (below).
N37178, N75994, and N75995 have already been ferried back to PHX.

Interestingly enough, when my wife & I were at OGG last month, we came across N407SW without any go! markings on the tail nor fuselage, while waiting for our return flight to HNL. It appears that tail logo and the fuselage logo were painted over. Was this a sign of things to come?

go! began service in June 2006 with five CRJ200s, and their fleet size never exceeded those five CRJs. Even when Aloha Airlines shutdown in 2008, they did not seem to gain any market share from Aloha's demise. Mesa never had a dedicated maintenance base at HNL, though they used the Leis hangar next door to Kamaka Air for minor maintenance and checks. For heavy checks, CRJs were flown to Phoenix and swapped out. The livery changed to the current (see top photo), as the original five CRJs were rotated out of the go! fleet. go! also had short-lived code-shares and partnerships with Mokulele Airlines and Island Air.



03.18.14 Update
The Pacific Business News is reporting that Island Air owner Larry Ellison was extremely close to purchasing go!'s operation, but backed away due to go!'s financial situation; and that Larry Ellison is interested in purchasing the rights to the Aloha Airlines name.