Avatar Airlines

A proposed airline, called Avatar Airlines [Boca Raton, FL], has indicated that HNL will be one of the destinations the airline would fly to/from SFO, SJC, LAX, and LAS. The airline plans to start service with 14 747-400s, and have signed a letter of intent with Boeing for an order of 30 747-8i. No service start date has been announced. It has filed preliminary paperwork with both the FAA and the USDOT.

Coverage by World Airline News and Sam Chui.com.

Solomon Airlines' H4-BUS

Solomon Airlines is returning H4-BUS (msn 302) to Sky Holding Company, as Southern Cross International ferries this A320-211 from BNE to MZJ (via APW and HNL) as SXI2019.

This A320 stopped through HNL on its delivery flight to Solomon Airlines in May 2011 as N957PG.

N497TA

N497TA (msn 3378), an A320-233 owned by UMB Bank, is ferrying from GYR to CGK, with stops at ONT, HNL, and MAJ.

3378 was originally delivered to TACA International in January 2008 as N497TA. When Avianca merged with TACA International, the latter's fleet was transferred. N497TA was allocated to Avianca El Salvador in May 2013. It was withdrawn from service in September 2019, and stored at GYR a month later. It was sold to UMB Bank in December 2019.

AmeriJet's N378CX

AmeriJet's 767-323ERF, N378CX (c/n 27184, l/n 541), is making a stop at HNL from MIA (via LAX) as AJT121.

N728A

Our February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to July 1998, and Saudi Aramco's DC-8-72, N728A (c/n 46081, l/n 471), when it made a stop at HNL.

46081 was originally delivered to United Airlines in August 1969 as N8971U (f/n 2271). It was also painted in the "Friendship" livery in the mid-1970s. In May 1981, it was sold to Cammacorp, and was converted to a -72 with the JT3D-3Bs replaced with CFM56-2C5s. In July 1982, it was sold to Saudi Aramco as N728A, and had the cabin re-configured to a VIP layout. In 2000, N728A received the current Aramco livery. It was bought by AeroTurbine in January 2005. Sadly, this DC-8-72 was scrapped at OPF [Opa Locka, FL] several months later.

Kamaka Air's N208VV

Kamaka Air is adding their sixth C208BF Grand Cargomaster, N208VV (msn 208B2308). It's making its delivery flight from VGT via SMX to OGG today. The airline will re-register this Caravan as N689KA upon arrival to HNL.

N213EM

N213EM (c/n 36852, l/n 2475), a 737-75G BBJ, owned by TVPX Aircraft Solution Inc, and operated by Altitude 51 Inc, is making a stop at HNL from CWF [Chenault Airport, Lake Charles, LA]. It will continue onto GUM.

36852 was originally delivered to MGM Mirage in January 2008 as N730MM. It was sold to South Korean conglomerate Hyundai in February 2009 as HL7787. TVPX acquired this BBJ in January 2019 as N213EM.

9H-GGG

9H-GGG (c/n 40119, l/n 4620), a 737-7ZX BBJ, owned by Jet Aviation Malta, is flying back to BFI from AKL, and is making an overnight stop at HNL.

China United Airlines' B-20A8

China United Airlines' sixth (and last) 737-89P, B-20A8 (c/n 63088, l/n 7522), is making its delivery flight from BFI this morning as CUA206, and will make an overnight stop at HNL.

China United Airlines' B-20A1

China United Airlines is taking delivery of the last two 737-89Ps that were in storage at BFI. B-20A1 (c/n 63087, l/n 7417) is the first to depart BFI as CUA205, and will overnight at HNL.

N737AT

N737AT (c/n 36756, l/n 2405),  the Hillwood Airways 737-7HJ BBJ, is making its return trip to AFW from BIK (via GUM, HNL, and OAK) as HWA359. It's making a brief fuel stop at HNL this morning.

Ryan International Airlines' N310FV

Kicking off 2020's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic", is Ryan International Airlines' 757-23A, N310FV (c/n 25488, l/n 471), promoting SunTrips travel agency. It's seen above clearing Runway 4R on Taxiway K, in September 2005.

25488 was originally delivered to Air Transat in November 1992 as C-GTSE, under lease from Finova Capital Corporation. In January 2003, it was leased to Ryan International Airlines as N310FV. In March 2006, the Dart Group PLC [UK], acquired this 757, and assigned it to its airline, Jet2 as G-LSAC. In early 2013, G-LSAC was painted in the current Jet2 Holidays livery; and continues to fly for Jet2.

Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou! 🎉🎇

The HNL RareBirds wishes you all a Happy New Year (and Decade)!

May you all have a blessed and prosperous 2020!

China United Airlines' B-209F

China United Airlines' fourth 737-89P, B-209F (c/n 63079, l/n 7362), is also making its delivery flight this morning as CUA203, and will overnight at HNL.

China United Airlines' B-209G

China United Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-89P that had been in storage at BFI. B-209G (c/n 63081, l/n 7352) is making its delivery flight this morning as CUA204, and will make an overnight stop at HNL.

Uzbekistan Airways' UK78702

Uzbekistan Airways has been granted 787-8 charter flights between Japan and HNL. UK78702 (c/n38364, l/n 495) began service today from KIX as UZB3593, and will fly to/from various cities in Japan.

Safari Helicopters' N985SA Crashes

Safari Helicopters' AS350-B2, N985SA (msn 3111), crashed near Kōke‘e, Kaua‘i this afternoon while on an air tour around the Garden Isle. There were seven (one pilot and six passengers) aboard the tour helicopter.

Continuing coverage by KHON2 News.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the Safari Helicopters ‘ohana, and those of the passengers.

Skybus Air Cargo's OB-2059-P

A DC-8-73F of Skybus Air Cargo sits at the stands on a rainy Christmas day. OB-2059-P (N807DH) (s/n 45990 l/n 375) has logged flights from Miami-Dallas-Anchorage-Incheon before sneaking into Honolulu as HVY212.

45990 was delivered as a DC-8-63CF for Flying Tigers Line in July 1968 as N780FT. In June 1977, it was acquired by Cargolux as TF-CCV. It was leased to Air-India from April to November 1983, and Evergreen International Airlines in January 1984. Five months later, Evergreen bought this DC-8 as N816EV. In January 1985, it was converted to a -73CF,  as the JT3Ds were replaced with CFM56s. It was leased to Air-India from July 1985 to April 1986, and January to November 1988. It was also leased to TNT Express from July 1992 to March 1994. UPS leased it from April to August 1996. DHL Airways bought this DC-8 in March 1995, and remained leased to UPS as N816UP. In September 1996, it was registered as N806DH. It was operated by Astar Air Cargo and Skybus Jet Cargo.

N737AT

N737AT (c/n 36756, l/n 2405),  a 737-7HJ BBJ owned by Hillwood Airways, is making a brief fuel stop at HNL this evening as HWA359. It's flying from AFW to BIK, via OAK, HNL, and GUM.

36756 was originally delivered to the US Department of Defense in December 2007 as N529PP. In October 2014, it was re-registered as N737AT. It was sold to Hillwood Airways in July 2017. This BBJ also features a main deck cargo door, and the cabin can be configured in several variations.

Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄

The HNL RareBirds team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas!