Malaysia Airlines Considers Name Change

The government-backed holding company that owns Malaysia Airlines is considering changing the airline's name and brand, among other changes, since the two tragedies the airline has experienced within this year. The airline also has three different liveries for their fleet, the 737-800s and the A330-300s have the above livery, while the 777-200 fleet still retains the 1987 livery, and their A380 fleet has its own livery.

Further details in this World Airline News article.

Qantas' VH-XZL

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-XZL (c/n 44573, l/n 5009) today. The 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI as QFA6024, and will overnight at HNL.

This is the first Australia-bound 737-800 delivery this year.

Xiamen Air Acquires Hebei Airlines

Xiamen Air announced that they have acquired over 99% of Hebei Airlines earlier this month. It is uncertain whether Hebei will remain as a subsidiary of Xiamen, or be integrated into the latter's infrastructure. Both airlines use HNL as the first stopover for their 737NG delivery flights.

Further information in this CH-Aviation article.

Qantas To Split Domestic And International Operations

Qantas Airways announced that they are considering separating their domestic and international operations, similar to rival Virgin Australia. It would be a move that would help the carrier return to profitability.

Another move under consideration, would be to sell off their Jetstar Airways subsidiary.

Further information in this CH-Aviation article.

China Southern's B-1701

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1701 (c/n 41251, l/n 5008) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN7, and will overnight at HNL. This is their second 737-86N delivered within the past ten days.

Hainan's B-1995

This morning, Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-84P within the past seven days. B-1995 (c/n 39213, l/n 5006) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1995, and will overnight at HNL.

China United's B-1990

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-1990 (c/n 39736, l/n 5007) this morning. The 737-89P, allocated from parent company China Eastern Airlines, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA990, and will overnight at HNL.

B-1990 is the 100th 737NG delivery flight to stop through HNL so far this year.

China Southern's B-2930

China Southern Airlines is ferrying B-2930 (c/n 27273, l/n 2556) to the US mainland, as its lease with ALC has ended. The 737-31L is making its ferry flight from CAN (via LAO, GUM, MAJ, and HNL) as CSN2002.

27273 was originally delivered to China Xinjiang Airlines [XO/CXJ] as B-2930 in December 1993 under lease from ALC. When China Southern acquired China Xinjiang in 2004, B-2930 was transferred into the former's fleet.

JAL Charters To KOA

Japan Airlines is having a few charter flights going to KOA from NRT, via HNL. The 787-8 service is making four-night stays from tonight, then Sunday (the 27th), and in mid-August. Today's flight was listed as JAL8894.

Xiamen's B-1969

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1969 (c/n 39902, l/n 5005) this morning. The 737-85C, their second this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA1969, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian Converts Order To A330-800neo

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they have converted their order of six A350XWB-800 to the recently-announced A330-800neo. According to Airchive.com, that will make Hawaiian the launch customer for the A330-800. Deliveries of the first A330neo is scheduled for 2019, two years later than the delivery time frame for the previously-ordered A350XWB. The order also contains a purchase option for six more A330-800s.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Shandong's B-1982

Today, Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-800 within the past seven days with B-1982 (c/n 41615, l/n 5003). The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1982, and will overnight at HNL.

N338TH

N338TH (c/n 26440, l/n 2234), a 737-3L9, is making its way from TUS to Thailand (via ONT, JRF, MAJ, SPN, and TNN). The aircraft was owned by Aero Maximum, and sold to a Thai carrier.

26440 was originally delivered to Maersk Air (Denmark) in March 1992 as OY-MAK. Three months later, it went to Deutche BA as D-ADBB. In April 1999, it was acquired by Frontier Airlines as N310FL. In April 2008, it went to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GHX. Aero Maximum purchased the airframe in May 2014, then sold it to the Thai carrier this month.

China Eastern's B-1965

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1965 (c/n 41473, l/n 4997) this morning. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES299, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan's B-1992

Also making its delivery flight from BFI this morning, is Hainan Airlines' B-1992 (c/n 41376, l/n 4996). The 737-84P is making its delivery flight as CHH1992, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong's B-1987

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1987 (c/n 41376, l/n 4994) this morning. The 737-89L, allocated from parent company Air China, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1987, and will overnight at HNL. This is also Shandong's second 737-800 delivery flight within the past three days, and the second consecutive to be delivered wearing the DEEJ special livery (and fifth overall).

Hainan Orders 50 737-MAX8s

Hainan Airlines announced that they are ordering 50 737-MAX8s, and are awaiting Chinese government approval. The airline currently has 100 737NGs and three 737 Classics in its fleet, and does not include other 737NGs allocated to their subsidiaries.

Further details in this Boeing Mediaroom press release.

Line Number 5000

Civil aviation spotters will be hard pressed to find the 5,000th 737NG built by Boeing, as line number 5000 belongs to a US Navy C-40A Clipper, BuNo 168980 (c/n 43827). This 737-700C has yet to be assigned to a Fleet Logistic Support (VR-) squadron.

Most likely, it will replace a C-9B Nightingale assigned to either the VR-61 "Islanders", a US Navy Reserve unit based at NAS Whidbey Island, WA; or the VR-52 "Taskmasters", a US Navy Reserve unit based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ. They are last two squadrons with the aging C-9Bs.

This is the first milestone 737 to be delivered to a military client.

On a related note, Boeing has begun offering the 737-700C to the commercial market.

Further details in this Boeing Mediaroom press release.

PP-LEG

PP-LEG (msn 14501170), an Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 650, has been at HNL for the past several days. This pseudo-camoflaged Legacy 650 is registered to Sumatera Participações Ltda, and operated by Itaú Unibanco SA (São Paulo, Brazil). It was delivered in January 2013, and has a VIP interior.

Air China's B-1957

The third of three China-bound 737-800 deliveries today, is Air China's B-1957 (c/n 40041, l/n 4992). The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL. It's also Air China's second 737-89L delivered within the five days.