Qantas' VH-VZB

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-VZB "Lake Macquarie" (c/n 34196), their newest 737-838(W), as it arrived at HNL today as QFA6020.

Sorry, no HNL photo available ... though BFIGuy got one at BFI.

New Website For Hawaii Aviation History

It the State of Hawaii DOT is creating a new website showcasing the history of aviation in Hawaii. Below is the link to the beta website.

http://test.hawaii.gov/hawaiiaviation

The most amazing part of the website is the huge collection of photos (over 4000) going all the way back to 1910! You can see the evolution of HNL from when it opened as John Rodgers Field, the construction of the current terminals, construction of the Reef Runway, as well as all the other Hawaii airports. As it being a beta site, there are some mistakes in the indexing and caption of the photos, such as having photos of the old Center Concourse captioned as photos from 1995.

http://test.hawaii.gov/hawaiiaviation/aviation-photos

N751AL To Sun Country Airlines

Former Aloha Airlines 737-7Q8(W), N751AL (c/n 30674), has been leased by Sun Country Airlines (SY/SCX) from ILFC for their summer schedule.

This Airliners Gallery News link has a photo of N751AL with SY titles and the AQ tail and winglet bird of paradise logos.

In the photo above, N751AL is seen departing Runway 8L back in 2006.

Mega Global Airway to HNL?

Chinese charter airline Mega Global Airway has announced its intention to fly between the People's Republic of China and HNL with 767-200ERs and 767-300ERs beginning in July. It marks the first direct flights between China and Hawai‘i.

Here's the Star*Bulletin article link.

Memorial Day

Today is the day we honor our fallen veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free. They gave their lives in defense our rights and freedoms given to us by our founding fathers, and the laws of God.

Today's photo is of three US Air Force Lockheed/Martin F-16C "Fighting Falcons" in the missing man formation to honor their fallen comrades.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-5380

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of their next 737-87L(W), B-5380 (c/n 35527), and it's en route to HNL from BFI as CSZ5380.

Sorry, no HNL photo available ...

Hainan Airlines' B-5373

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5373 (c/n 35754), a 737-84P(W). It's flying as B5373, and arrived at HNL this morning from BFI, and depart for MAJ tomorrow morning.

China United's 737-800W

China United Airlines, a Shanghai Airlines subsidiary, is taking delivery of a 737-800W. It stopped over at HNL, and left this morning. I could not find any flight info on it.

Kahului Drive-By

Stuck the camera out the window and snapped it. I only posted this because I was surprised it even came out.  Arriving OGG today from Phoenix.

Air Nippon's JA51AN

Air Nippon / ANA is taking delivery of their first 737-881(W), JA51AN (c/n 33886). It is also wearing the Star Alliance livery, and flying as ANK9984.

JA51AN is scheduled to leave HNL at an earlier time than normal.
Sorry, no HNL photo available ...

Link to Rick Schlamp's photo at BFI.

Armed Forces Day

We'd like to pay tribute to the men and women serving our country's armed forces ... thank you for defending our freedoms!

Today's photo is of a US Navy Sikorsky SH-60B of HSL-37 (Helicopter Anti-submarine - Light) "Easyriders", which is based at MCAF Kane‘ohe Bay. 162348 is the squadron commander's helicopter. The "Easyriders" were formerly based at NAS Barbers Point (now closed, and known as the Kalaeloa Airport) before moving to "K-Bay".

This also happens to be the 500th HNL RareBirds posting!

Hong Kong Express' B-KBR

Hong Kong Express AIrlines took delivery of B-KBR (c/n 35276), a 737-84P(W) leased from the Hainan Air Group, as it transited through HNL, it left this morning for SPN.

Sorry, no HNL photo available, though Rick Schlamp got B-KBR as she left BFI.

Air China's B-5390

Air China is taking delivery of another 737-89L(W), B-5390 (c/n 36486). It's flying from BFI to BEJ (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as CCA058, and it's seen here shortly after arriving from BFI. The crew members gave this 73H a once-over, and took photos of each other after they each received a lei from the ground handling company.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-5379

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5379 (c/n 35087), a 737-8AL(W), and en route to China (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as CSZ5379.

B-5379 is seen above sitting on Taxiway C prior to taxiing to Runway 8R for its departure to MAJ.

N245DT

N245DT (c/n 24550), a 737-4B7, will be making a stop at HNL, on its way back to the mainland, after being recalled from the now-defunct Adam AIr (Indonesia). It's on its way from BIK (Biak Airport, Indonesia), via MAJ.

Before flying with Adam Air as PK-KMF, 24550 previously served with JAT Airways (Serbia) as YU-AOR, and US Airways as N428US.

It's seen above minus the Adam Air titles, and with the US reg and flag.

**Update 14 May 08**
N245DT left HNL this afternoon for MZJ (Pinal Airpark, Marana, AZ)

Air New Zealand Links' C-FPPN

Air New Zealand Links is taking delivery of a Dash8-Q311, C-FPPN (msn 659). It arrived yesterday from CCR (Buchanan Field, CA) on its delivery flight from the Bombardier factory in YYZ (Lester B Pearson International Airport, Toronto, ON), via GRR (Gerald R Ford Airport, Grand Rapids, MI), and will continue onto PPG this morning.

Sorry, no HNL photo available ...

Aloha Gates

No narration ....

Pace Airlines' N767MW

Pace Airlines' N767MW, a 767-277 (c/n 22694), is on an ETOPS-proving flight here at HNL, from DFW.

N767MW photo link.

It previously flew with Ansett Australian Airlines as VH-RMF.

Aloha Air Cargo

Aloha Air Cargo is the new new name for the cargo division of Aloha Airlines, which has been bought by Saltchuck Resources Inc. They will continue Aloha's cargo ops with the four 737-200Cs.

The link to The Honolulu Advertiser's coverage.

12th 737-800 For JAL

The 12th 737-846(W) for JAL arrived in HNL on May 2nd. JA312J (c/n 35341) carriers JAL titles and will leave for MAJ tomorrow, May 3rd. It then goes to GUM and finally to HND.

CO 757 With Winglets

A few weeks ago, Continental down gauged their LAX-HNL flight from a 767-400 to a 757-200. Finally, here's a picture of one of their 757s at HNL. N41135 is here parked at Gate 14 waiting for its return to LAX.

Hainan Airlines' B-5372

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of another 737-84P(W), B-5372 (c/n 35758), which is currently en route to China from BFI via HNL, MAJ, and SPN as B5372. It's seen here right after being pushed back, and starting up its CFM56 engines to depart for MAJ.