Fiji Airways DQ-FJH

Fiji Airways is ferrying DQ-FJH "Island of Gau" (c/n 29969, l/n 339) from NAN to SBD, via HNL. This 737-8X2 is flying from NAN to HNL as FJI2008, and HNL to SBD as FJI2009. It's due to be parted out, and scrapped.

DQ-FJH was delivered to Air Pacific (the former name of Fiji Airways) in August 1999. In September 2017, it was sold to WLFC, and leased back. This airliner was a frequent visitor to HNL from APW and NAN.

Volga-Dnepr's RA-82078

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' An-124-100, RA-82078 (c/n 9773054559153, l/n 07-10), is making a stop at HNL from AFW [Fort Worth Airport, TX] as VDA1618. It's scheduled to continue onto GUM tomorrow.

N846AU

N846AU (c/n 24846, l/n 309), a 767-383ER, owned by Automatic Leasing LLC, is ferrying from UTP [U-Tapao International Airport, Ban Chang, Thailand] to GYR, via HNL today.

24846 was originally delivered to SAS Scandinavian Airlines in June 1990 as SE-DKR "Aase Viking". Four months later, it was re-registered as LN-RCE. In December 2004, it was sold to Icelandair as TF-FIC, and did a two-year lease with Israir from March 2005 to November 2007. Two months later, it was sold to VARIG Brazil as PR-VAO, and flew with the airline until its closure several months later. In May 2013, it was acquired by Automatic Leasing LLC, and leased to Asia  Atlantic Airlines as HS-AAB, where it flew until July 2018, and stored at UTP.

Southwest Airlines' N8329B

Southwest Airlines is performing the first of several proving runs today, before the airline can commence service between the US west coast and Hawai‘i. N8329B (c/n 37006, l/n 4294, f/n 8329), a 737-8H4, is making today's proving flight from OAK as SWA8725, that will arrive this afternoon.

Lanmei Airlines' XA-VAH

Carlyle Aviation Partners is ferrying a former Viva Aerobus [VB/VIV] A320-232, XA-VAH (msn 3743), from MTY [General Mariano Escobedo International Airport, Monterrey, México] to PNH [Pochentong International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia]  as it will join the Lanmei Airlines [LQ/MKR] fleet. This A320 will make stops at TIJ [General Abelardo L Rodriguez International Airport, Tijuana, México] as VIV1, HNL as VIV2, MAJ as VIV3, GUM as VIV4, and HKG as VIV5.

3743 was originally purchased by ILFC, and leased to Jetstar Airways in January 2009 as VH-VQB. In May 2014, it was sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred. In January 2015, it was leased to Viva Aerobus as XA-VAH. In December 2016, it was sold to Apollo Aviation, and was withdrawn from service in December 2018, when it was sold to Carlyle Aviation Partners.


02.06.19 UPDATE
It was re-registered as XU-901, and ferried from HKG to PHN.

Kamaka Air's N954RJ

Our February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Kamaka Air's Beech C-45H, N954RJ (msn AF-5). It was modified with the Tradewind single vertical tail, and tricycle landing gear package. It was retired in 2006.

RAAF's A39-001

A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A, A39-001 (MSN 747), dropped in for a fuel stop yesterday afternoon.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82072

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100-150, UR-82072 (c/n 9773053359136, l/n 07-05), is making a stop at HNL, from COS (via OAK) as ADB3081.

Japan TransOcean Air's JA12RK

Japan TransOcean Air is taking delivery of JA12RK (c/n 61483, l/n 7342) today. This 737-8Q3 is making its delivery flight from BFI as JTA9851, and will make an overnight stop at HNL.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82007

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100M, UR-82007 (c/n 19530501005, l/n 01-05), is making a stop at HNL this evening from COS (via OAK) as ADB3080. It will continue onto SPN tomorrow with the same flight number.

Hainan Airlines' B-207T

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-207T (c/n 62181, l/n 7311) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH207, and will make an overnight stop at HNL.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CAJ

A Ukraine Air Alliance An-12BK, UR-CAJ (msn 8346106) is making a stop from OAK today. No flight number is listed.

Sun Country To Add Seasonal SFO Service

Sun Country Airlines announced this morning that they will begin seasonal 737-800 service between SFO and HNL. The launch date is scheduled for May 18th, and will run up to 4 flights per week, until August 18th.

Hawaiian Airlines' Final 767 Revenue Flight

Hawaiian Airlines' N594HA "‘Ulili" (c/n 23275, l/n 136, f/n 594) is making the airline's final 767-300 revenue flight today. This 767-332EM is flying as HAL19 from SMF, and will arrive to a blessing and media event.

Aloha ‘Oe N582HA

Hawaiian Airlines is ferrying N582HA "Ake Ake" (c/n 28139, l/n 857) to GYR this morning. This 767-33AER is making its retirement flight as HAL8082.

Aloha ‘Oe N581HA

Hawaiian Airlines is ferrying N581HA "Manu O Ku" (c/n 28141, l/n 853) to GYR. This 767-33AER is making its retirement flight as HAL8081.

Aloha ‘Oe Herb Kelleher

The HNL RareBirds team expresses our thoughts, condolences, and prayers to the Southwest Airlines ‘ohana for the passing of their founder, Herb Kelleher, who passed away today.

He was instrumental in proving that low-cost carriers with the heart of customer service could exist, and made it a successful business. Though he retired years ago, his vision created affordable flights across the country. His vision will extend to the Hawaiian Islands in a mere few months.

Fiji Airways' DQ-FAD

Fiji Airways is taking delivery of DQ-FAD "Island of Gau" (c/n 64308, l/n 7313) this evening. This 737 MAX 8, making a very rare New Year's Day delivery flight, is flying from BFI as FJI2001, and will make an overnight stop at HNL.

Asiana Airlines' HL7266

Our January edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to March 1995, with Asiana Airlines' 767-38EER, HL7266 (c/n 25347, l/n 399), seen above taxiing out to Runway 26L, on Taxiway RT. When Asiana launched their initial service between SEL and HNL, it was with their 767-38EER fleet. It ended a few years later, but the airline returned with A330-300 service several years later.

HL7266 was originally delivered to Asiana in November 1991, and flew with the airline for seven years. In December 1998, it was acquired by Canadian Airlines International [CP/CDN] as C-GDUZ. When Air Canada took over Canadian Airlines in March 2001, the latter's fleet was transferred to the former's fleet. C-GDUZ was assigned the fleet number 646. In 2010, it was painted in the mint green livery. In July 2017, C-GDUZ was transferred to the Air Canada Rouge fleet.

Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou! 🎉🎆🎇

Happy New Year!

The HNL RareBirds team wishes you all a blessed and prosperous 2019!