Korean Air / Asiana Airlines Merger To Close This Month

CH-Aviation reports that with an anticipated official approval announcement from the US Department of Justice, the merger between Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines is expected to close sometime this month. The approval from the USDOJ is the final piece of the puzzle to allow the merger between the two largest airlines in the Republic of Korea, with Korean Air taking the reins. The Asiana brand will last another two years, before it's absorbed into the Korean Air brand. Multiple concessions by both airlines had to be made before any approval was given by transport ministries around the world, especially where the two airlines serve.

Also, as part of the merger, Asiana Airlines' low-cost subsidiaries (Air Busan and Air Seoul) will be combined under Korean Air's LCC, Jin Air.

Shenzhen Airlines' N239BE

Boeing is ferrying Shenzhen Airlines' N239BE (c/n 61154, l/n 8178) from BFI to HSN (via HNL, and GUM) as BOE950 today, and will overnight at HNL. This 737-8 will undergo cabin completion at Boeing China in Zhoushan, then delivered to Shenzhen Airlines with a Chinese registration. Usually, the Boeing ferry flights to HSN transits through JRF, this would be the first time to stop at HNL.

Upcoming 737MAX Deliveries

With airlines around Asia and Oceania ordering the 737 MAX series, a majority of these airliners will stop through Hawai‘i (mainly HNL) during the first segment of their island-hopping delivery flights from Boeing Field (BFI) [map]. Boeing has indicated that the variants will be referred to as the -x without the MAX name, we will do the same.

We launched our own Google Sheet documenting the 737 information below, as well as deliveries as of 2021.

Boeing P-8As and E-7As on order for armed forces around the Pacific Rim have been added below.

This post will be continuously updated as new information becomes available.

According to the Boeing Test Fights Google Sheet and PlaneSpotters.net's 737 MAX Production List, these listed below are the airframes that have begun final assembly, made its first flight from RNT, or are being readied for delivery on the BFI flightline. Those listed below, should make a stopover in Hawai‘i on their first segment out of BFI on their delivery flights in the near future. In the past, additional information was also provided by Tyke's Aero Blog, and The Boeing Test Flights website.

DELIVERED

8178 | B-____ | 61154 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 [12.03.24 BOE950 as N239BE] »

» Ferrying to HSN [Zhoushan, China] for cabin completion, with a Boeing flight code.

• • • • •

ON ORDER

737 MAX

7263 | B-206L | 61374 | 9 Air | -8 (orange) | BOE452 « BFI » Boeing N253BE
7351 | B-208E | 63276 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE692 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7371 | B-209A | 63284 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE693 « VCV » Air India Express VT-___
7408 | B-209C | 63287 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE694 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7415 | B-208F | 63277 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE695 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7440 | B-20A3 | 61637 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE616 « BFI

7493 | B-209V | 61143 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE936 « BFI » Air India Express VT-___
7496 | B-209T | 63279 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE697 « BFI
7508 | B-20A0 | 61448 | Shandong Airlines | -8 * | BOE658 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7511 | B-209S | 63278 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE698 « MWH

7530 | B-209U | 63289 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE699 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7575 | B-20AG | 61449 | Shandong Airlines | -8 | BOE659 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7595 | B-20C7 | 63281 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE696 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7613 | B-20AU | 63290 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE701 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7624 | B-____ | 61712 | Kunming Airlines | -8 | BOE201 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7645 | B-20CC | 61645 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE619 « BFI

7676 | B-20DK | 61147 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE940 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___

7690 | B-20CQ | 64677 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE339 « MWH
7691 | B-20C9 | 63283 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE704 « BFI

7715 | B-20D6 | 65258 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE712 « MWH

7723 | B-20DL | 61148 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE941 « MWH

7750 | B-20CL | 43836 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE342 « BFI » Air India Express VT-___
7751 | B-20CT | 65251 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE714 « MWH
7761 | B-20DH | 60922 | Air China | -8 BOE275 « MWH
7764 | B-____ | 65275 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE715 « MWH

7784 | B-____ | 65253 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE716 « MWH
7795 | B-____ | 65257 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE717 « MWH
7798 | B-20DP | 61157 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE942 « MWH
7813 | B-20DJ | 60923 | Air China | -8 | BOE276 « MWH
7826 | B-____ | 61652 | China Eastern Airlines | -8 | BOE622 « MWH » Air India Express VT-___
7831 | B-20DV | 42964 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE372 « BFI 

7865 | B-20DQ | 60924 | Air China | -8 | BOE278  « BFI
7867 | B-20E1 | 64679 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE375 « BFI
7875 | B-____ | 65250 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE719 « VCV
7878 | B-20E2 | 61456 | Shandong Airlines | -8 | BOE666 « MWH
7887 | B-____ | 63291 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE708  « MWH

7929 | B-224U | 61385 | 9Air | -8 (orange) | BOE454  « MWH » Boeing N5515R
7931 | B-20DS | 60826 | Air China | -8 | BOE279 « MWH
7934 | B-20DX | 64680 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE376  « MWH
7944 | B-20E3 | 60928 | Air China | -8 | BOE280 « BFI
7948 | B-20DY | 64681 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE377 « MWH

8001 | B-224E | 61657 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE625 « MWH

8100 | B-____ | 43840 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE380 « MWH

8125 | B-____ | 61661 | Shanghai Airlines | -8 | BOE629 « MWH

8181 | B-____ | 60938 | Air China | -8 | BOE284 « MWH

8186 | B-226E | 43841 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE387 « BFI

8189 | B-223V | 61460 | Shandong Airlines | -8 | BOE679 « MWH

8194 | B-____ | 43845 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE388 « MWH

8206 | B-____ | 60941 | Air China | -8 | BOE287 « BFI

8229 | B-____ | 61124 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE954 « BFI

8235 | B-____ | 61153 | Shenzhen Airlines | -8 | BOE955 « MWH » Boeing N5573B

8248 | B-____ | 43847 | Xiamen Air | -8 | BOE391 « MWH

8254 | B-224L | 65254 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE171 « BFI

9004 | VT-___ | _____ | Akasa Air -8 200 « RNT

9008 | 9M-MVF | 66371 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 « RNT

9023 | 9M-MV_ | 66442 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 « RNT

9033 | 9M-MV_ | 66376 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 « RNT

9035 | 9M-MV_ | 66375 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 « RNT

9204 | HL8566 | 63488 | Korean Air | -8 | BOE396 « BFI

• • •

P-8A and E-7A

9142 | 230921 | 66448 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A | « NIP

9526 | 230922 | 67012 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A | POSIDN1 « NIP

9602 | 230923 | 67013 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « BFI

____ | 230925 | 67014 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « RNT

____ | 230926 | 67015 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « RNT

____ | 230927 | 67016 | Republic of Korea Navy | P-8A « RNT

The RoK Navy P-8As may be re-designated as P-8Ks.

• • • • • 

« Final Assembly / Pre-Flight Prep / First Flight from RNT

« Pre-Delivery Test Flights / Ready For Delivery
« Stored (Location [IATA])

° New / Modified Livery
* Special Livery / Markings
» New airline and registration
» Boeing registration for ferry to HSN


LOCATIONS [IATA]
RNT: Renton Municipal Airport, Renton, WA
BFI: Boeing Field International Airport, Seattle, WA

PAE: Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field), Everett, WA

MWH: Grant County International Airport, Moses Lake, WA

SKF: Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX

VCV: Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, CA

NIP: Naval Air Station Jacksonville / Jacksonville Airport, Jacksonville, FL

GED: Delaware Coastal Airport, Georgetown, DE

• • • • •

NOTES

In the event that a delivery flight stops through any Hawai‘i airport other than HNL, their IATA airport code will noted after the flight number. 

Delivery flights that go through ANC, KEF, or any other non-Hawai‘i airport, will only be listed on our Google Sheet.

Due to the airworthiness directive for the 737MAX series, along with delivery deferrals, some airframes may deliver from sites other than BFI, and will be noted in the flight number information. 

If an airframe listed is sold to another airline, it will be noted with a » symbol, along with the new airline and registration. If the airframe delivers through Hawai‘i, the information will be revised with the delivery information. If it's not making a delivery flight through Hawai‘i, that listing will not be changed to the new airline, then removed upon its delivery flight. That information will be kept on our Google Sheet.

Air India Express is acquiring 55 737-8s that were built for Chinese customers, and have been re-marketed by Boeing, as part of Air India's massive order with Boeing. Akasa Air is also purchasing China-bound 737-8s re-marketed by Boeing.

Most 737s delivering to airlines in India will deliver east-bound through KEF [Keflavik International Airport, Keflavik, Iceland] as their first fuel stop. 

Most 737s delivering to airlines in the Republic of Korea normally delivers through ANC [Ted Stevens International Airport, Anchorage, AK] for their first fuel stop.

In the event they deliver through Hawai‘i, they will be listed on a post, and on the deliveries page.

Some of the deliveries bound for China will ferry to the Boeing China 737 Completion and Delivery Center, in Zhoushan, China, will have this » symbol following the flight number, that probably will be the Boeing test flight number assigned to the particular airframe.

...

QantasLink's VH-X4E

National Jet Systems is taking delivery of their fifth A220-300 with VH-X4E "Tasmanian Devil" (msn 55312). This QantasLink-liveried A220 is flying from YMX to CBR, via YVR, HNL, and NAN, as QFA6075. The YVR-HNL leg is being flown as QFA6076, and will remain overnight.

03 December 2024 UPDATE

The HNL-NAN segment is being flown as QLK6077.

China Airlines' B-18110 And B-18111

A pair of China Airlines A321-271NXs, B-18110 (msn 10939) and B-18111 (msn 11040), have stopped off at HNL from TPE, via GUM and MAJ. B-18111 arrived first as CAL1592, then followed by B-18110 as CAL1590. Both A321Ns parked on the North Ramp, and will be transporting Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, his staff, and press corps on his tour of a few islands in the South Pacific.

02 December 2024 UPDATE

B-18110 departed for MAJ as CAL1586 early this morning, and B-18111 departed for MAJ later in the morning as CAL1588.

Hawai‘i Army National Guard Flyover

A CH-47F Chinook from the Company B, 2nd Battalion, 211 Aviation Regiment and a HH-60M from Company G, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, performed a flyover prior to the start of tonight's University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football game. Only 16-20855 (the HH-60M), is listed as the flight IMUA855, which made the flyover at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, in honor of the Rainbow Warriors' Senior Night agains the New Mexico Lobos.

China Airlines' B-18918

China Airlines' A350-941, B-18918 (msn 239), is making a stop at HNL, as it transports Taiwan's President Ching-te "William" Lai around the South Pacific. The Airbus/Caron Fibre special-liveried A350 is flying as CAL1588. President Lai is scheduled to spend time here meeting with local and US officials.

01 December 2024 UPDATE

B-18918 returned empty to TPE as CAL1591.

Qantas' VH-OQH

Qantas' A380-842, VH-OQH "Reginald Ansett" (msn 50), made a diversion to HNL from SYD this morning. It was scheduled to fly to LAX, but made a medical diversion, and will continue onto LAX later in the morning.

New Mexico Lobos Team Charter

The New Mexico Lobos football team is chartering a Sun Country Airlines 737-800 for their road game against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N801SY (c/n 30332, l/n 777, f/n 801) is flying the Lobos from ABQ to HNL, via OAK, as SCX8420. The team will return to AB following the game.

01 December 2024 UPDATE

The Lobos returned to ABQ, via OAK, as SCX8420 following their 38-30 loss to Hawai‘i.

Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi

Happy Thanksgiving from the HNL RareBirds™ team!

Coulson Aviation's N382CG

Another Coulson Aviation C-130H, N382CG (msn 382-4336, f/n 138), is making its way from TRM to XRH, via SMX, KOA, PPG, and NLK, as CUL138. It will make an overnight stop at KOA tonight.

382-4336's History:

___ ____: Delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force as BW-C 954 "Balder", assigned to the 335 Squadron.

Sep 2023: Acquired by Coulson Aviation, and converted to a water bomber.

Conair's C-FFQF

Conair's fire fighting Q402-AT, C-FFQF (msn 4315), will be making a stop at HNL from YXX, via OAK, as FGD391. This Q400 is making its way to Australia to assist in the Southern Hemisphere summer fire season.

Asia Pacific Airlines' N193AN

Asia Pacific Airlines is taking delivery of N193AN (c/n 32387, l/n 981) today. This 757-223F, is delivering from LAL to HNL, via PHX, under lease from Titan Aviation Holdings. It's being flown with an Amerijet flight code, AJT96.

This is Asia Pacific's sixth 757-200F, and the first powered by Rolls-Royce RB211s. The other five are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW2040s.

32387's History:

Nov 2001: Delivered to American Airlines as N193AN (f/n 5FC).

Sep 2016: Painted in the current livery.

Mar 2020: Withdrawn from service, and stored at ROW.

Jly 2021: Sold to AerSale, and ferried to GYR for freighter conversion.

Mar 2022: Leased to Amerijet.

Jun 2022: Sold to Titan Aviation Holdings, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at LAL.

Maui Invitational 2024 Team Charters

Some of the  eight-team Maui Invitational college basketball tournament may possibly arriving by team charter flights, while other teams will travel via commercial flights. The tournament runs from 25-27 November in Lāhaina, Maui.

The eight schools are: Auburn Tigers, Colorado Buffaloes, Dayton Flyers, Iowa State Cyclones, Memphis Tigers, Michigan Sate Spartans, North Carolina Tar Heels, and the UConn Huskies.

The Tar Heels flew to HNL via Omni Air International, and will return to RDU from OGG.

22 Nov 2024:

Michigan State: SCX8417 [LAN-OAK-OGG] aboard N804SY.

UConn: ASA9689 [BDL-OAK-OGG] aboard N723AL.

27 November 2024 UPDATE

Michigan State will return to LAN, via OAK, aboard N808SY, as SCX8417.

Memphis will return to MEM, via OAK, aboard N804SY, as SCX8424.

UConn will return to BDL, via SEA, aboard N934AK, as ASA9682.

28 November 2024 UPDATE

North Carolina will return to RDU, aboard N207AX, as OAE2463.

Hawaiian Airlines' N494HA Moana 2 Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines' 717-2BL, N494HA "Koaʻe Kea" (c/n 55182, l/n 5138, f/n 494), is now wearing the Moana 2 decals. It had the decals applied over the past few days, and has returned to service this morning.

N476HA "Elepaio" (c/n 55118, l/n 5053, f/n 476) was slated to receive the decal treatment, but was switched out.

North Carolina Tar Heels Team Charter

The tenth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-224ER for their game on Friday against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N234AX (c/n 30436, l/n 833) is bringing the Tar Heels here from RDU as OAE2220. They will stay in Hawai‘i, as they are participating in  the Maui Invitational tournament in Lāhaina, Maui, beginning on the 25th.

21 November 2024 UPDATE

N234AX returned to its base at AFW as OAE2220 after dropping off the Tar Heels.

Air Force 2 To KOA

99-0004 (c/n 29028, l/n 829), flying as Air Force 2, is taking VP Kamala Harris and husband from ADW to KOA, via LAX today. This C-32A (757-2G4) is assigned to the 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing.

With the VP's vacation on Hawai‘i Island, the FAA has put a TFR in place during the visit until Monday, 25 November.

Above is a photo of 99-0004 on final for Runway 4R, taken in November 2022.

25 November 2024 UPDATE

Air Force 2 departed KOA for SFO, then ADW.

Eastern Airlines' N771KW

Eastern Airlines' 777-212ER, N771KW (c/n 28530, l/n 390), is making a stop at HNL from MCI as EAL9832.  It will continue onto GUM as EAL9833 tomorrow.

28530's History:

Mar 2002: Delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-SQI, under lease from Pembroke.

Apr 2017: Leased to FlyGlobal as 9M-FGA.

Nov 2017: Subleased to Nesma Airlines for one month.

May 2020: Purchased by Eastern Airlines as N771KW.

Nov 2022: Inducted into service.

May 2024: Leased to Garuda Indonesia for two months.

21 November 2024 UPDATE

N771KW is arriving from ANC tonight as EAL9835, and will continue onto MCI tomorrow as EAL9836.

N737ST

Boeing's N737ST (c/n 66147, l/n 7833) is back at KOA as BOE401. The former Ural Airlines 737-8 arrived today from BFI. It's not known how long it will stay at KOA.

N737ST was at KOA for over a week this past July.

24 November 2024 UPDATE

N737ST departed for BFI this morning.

Pacific Air Charters To Refocus On Commuter Flights

Ch-Aviation.com reports that Pacific Air Charters will change its commuter flights focus to LUP, as it prepares to launch its P2012 operations. The air charter company will expand to other airports in 2025, but has deferred deliveries of more P2012s.

Altavair Reports On Delays of Hawaiian Airlines' A330-343Fs

CH-Aviation.com reports that labor shortage by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) is causing delays in the conversion and deliveries of the last four A330-343Fs due to Altavair, to lease to Hawaiian Airlines for its Amazon Prime Air. Two of the A330-343s are at DRS, one at PVG, and one at CAN, awaiting conversion. Hawaiian was scheduled to receive all ten freighters by the end of this year.

US Air Force's 06-0500

A US Air Force C-37B assigned to the 99th Airlift Squadron / 89th Airlift Wing, 06-0500 (msn 5152), is making a stop at HNL as SAM314 from OSN. Instead of parking at HIK, this C-37B is parking at Castle & Cooke Aviation. It's one of the rare times that USAF VIP transports will park outside HIK. On 17 November, this military version of the G550, stopped through HIK from CONUS, its way to OSN.

19 November 2024 UPDATE

SAM314 departed for CONUS this morning.

Coulson Aviation's N131CG

Coulson Aviation's N131CG (msn 382-4901) is making a stop at ITO, as it ferries to Australia for their summer fire season. This C-130H, flying from SMX as CUL131, will also make a stop at PPG.

382-4901's History:

Oct 1981: Delivered to the US Navy as 161495, as an EC-130Q.

___ 1983: Assigned to VQ-3.

Mar 1987: Assigned to VQ-4.

Dec 1991: Converted to a C-130H, with the removal the EW equipment.

___ 1993: Given to NASA as N427NA, and based at Wallops Island, WA.

Oct 2004: Donated to the Kenosha Military Museum for display.

Aug 2012: Acquired by Wells Fargo NA Trustee, and registered as N130FF.

Aug 2013: Leased to Coulson Aviation, and converted to a fire fighting aircraft.

Jan 2018: Sold to the Delaware Trust Co Trustee, and the lease transferred.

___ 2020: Painted in the current livery.