Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!

Happy New Year!

The HNL RareBirds team wishes you all a blessed and prosperous 2012!

Qantas' VH-VZW

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of their second 737-838 this month with VH-VZW (c/n 39359, l/n 3881). It's flying out of BFI as QFA6024.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of VH-VZW at HNL.

N657AG

A former China Xinhua Airlines 737-36Q, B-2982 (c/n 28657, l/n 2859), made its way from TNA to VCV (via GUM, MAJ and HNL). The 737 Classic that was part of the Hainan Air Group, was acquired by the Aviation Capital Group (ACG), and registered as N657AG. It left for VCV this morning.

B-2982 was delivered to China Xinhua in March 1997. It was later re-painted to the Hainan Air Group colors.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of N657AG at HNL. I did see a white tail 737 parked on the South Ramp hardstands from the H1 East on the 25th.

C-GHPE At OGG

I didn't expect to hear an ACA flight turning right base on the radio when I was on my way to Costco today. Here is C-GHPE (c/n 33423, l/n 897) arriving from CYYC. Seasonal daily flight. This 767-33AER was previously regestered as Hawaiian Airlines N591HA. That dent on the fuselage just below the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer seems like something that should be checked. And the location of the aft bulkhead appears to be visible on the skin.

Mele Kalikimaka

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

Malaysia's 9M-MXG

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their newest 737-8H6, 9M-MXG (c/n 40134, l/n 3873). It's flying out of BFI today as MAS5473, and will make an overnight stopover at HNL. It's seen above on Taxiway C, as it taxies to Runway 8R to depart for MAJ on the 21st, with a rainbow in the distance.

Hawaiian's Newest 717 Arrives

The first of Hawaiian Airlines ex-Midwest 717-2BLs arrived from Oakland International (KOAK/OAK) earlier this evening as HAL9003. N922ME (c/n 55184, l/n 5142) will be re-registered as N493HA. Hawaiian's fleet of 717s are named after the native birds of Hawaii. Ship 93 has received the name ‘Ua‘u or the Hawaiian Petrel.

N104HK

N104HK (c/n 26465, l/n 2362) is a former Malaysia Airlines 737-4H6 that has been purchased be the Bank of Utah. It's being ferried from CGK to the mainland (via T11 [Yap], MAJ, and HNL).

26465 was originally delivered to Malaysia Airlines as 9M-MME in September 1992. From September 1999 to June 2002, it was leased to Angel Airways [8G/NGE] (Thailand), and retained the same registration. Upon its return to MAS, it served Malaysia until a few weeks ago.

Mahalo to team member MRC Aviation for the heads-up!

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of N104HK.

***12.18.11 Update***
N104HK is scheduled to depart for OAK late this evening.

Garuda's PK-GFT

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in the past ten days. PK-GFT (c/n 38032, l/n 3869), a GECAS-leased 737-86N, is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo.

Hainan's B-5623

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5623 (c/n 38148, l/n 3865) today. The 737-84P is making delivery flight from BFI as B5623, with its first stop along the route at HNL. It's seen above taxiing to its South Ramp parking spot.

Westjet's 757-200 Service

Westjet Airlines [WS/WJA] has leased a 757-200 from Thomas Cook Airlines to provide seasonal service between the Canadian province of Alberta and Hawai‘i. The flights will go between YYC (Calgary) and HNL, YYC and OGG, and YEG (Edmonton) and OGG. These flights will run through April 2012.

G-WJAN (c/n 28674, l/n 746), is the 757-21K that WestJet is sub-leasing from Thomas Cook Airlines (MT/TCX), who leased it from Alcudia Leasing. It's seen above being pushed out to Taxiway Z for engine start.

The YYC-OGG flight (WJA3004/3005) launched yesterday, and will run three times per week. The YYC-HNL (WJA3008/3009) weekly flight begins today, and the YEG-OGG weekly flight begins on the 18th.

A big mahalo to blog fan DB for the photo.

Air Australia Launches MEL-HNL Service

Air Australia inaugurates service between MEL and HNL this morning with the arrival of AGC11. Their A330 is scheduled to arrive around 0945HST.

Aviation writer Will Horton tweeted that he is on this flight.

Mokulele To RFD?

The Greater Rockford Airport Authority [RFD/KRFD] has offered Mokulele Flight Service (dba Mokulele Airlines) an opportunity to expand their service to the northern Illinois city airport from HNL beginning in March 2012. The offer also proposes Mokulele to continue onto Stansted, London, UK [STN/EGSS] in May 2012.

Mokulele has yet to release a statement to confirm these reports. The current Mokulele fleet consists of four Cessna C208B Caravans. This would mean acquiring ETOPS-certified aircraft to fly those flights.

It has been reported locally that Mesa Airlines, parent company of go!, has a stake in this offer. But Mesa sold off its share in Mokulele, and only remains as a code-share partner in the go!Mokulele operation.

Article links from Rockford, IL: WREX, eRockford blog (Rockford Register Star), and WIFR. From Honolulu: Hawai‘i News Now.

Air New Zealand's ZK-OJS

Air New Zealand is taking delivery of ZK-OJS (msn 4926), an A320-232, that is flying as ANZ6395. It's currently at DEN, waiting to fly here via LAX. ZK-OJS left TLS yesterday for DEN with a stop at YQX. It's seen above departing Runway 8R for APW.

It's probably the only new build A320 series that does a west-bound delivery flight to the Pacific. All others leave TLS, and travel eastbound across the Middle East and southern Asia,

On a related note, we missed the delivery of ANZ's ZK-OJR (msn 4884) that stopped though HNL on 11-12 November.

Lion Air's PK-LJI

Lion Air is taking delivery of their second 737-9GPER in the past 12 days. PK-LJI (c/n 38310, l/n 3867) made its brief, 90-minute fuel stop today at HNL as LNI1. It's seen above on Taxiway C, taxiing to Runway 8R to continue onto MAJ.

China Southern's B-5281

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of a brand new 737-71B today. B-5281 (c/n 38914, l/n 3864) is making its delivery flight as CSN5281, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, slowing to a stop on Hard Stand J, after arriving from BFI.

AIr Australia Launches BNE-HNL Service

Air Australia [VC/AGC] began service today between BNE (Brisbane, Australia) and HNL. The first flight landed (above) on Runway 4R just before 0730 as "Strategic1". Their A330-223, VH-SSA "Outback" (msn 324), still wears the original Strategic livery and branding, as it is their lone A330. Only their one of their three A320-212s have received the Air Australia livery.

Service between MEL and HNL will launch on Friday.

Air Transat TSC60 And TSC80

The second and third of four Air Transat A330-243s sub-leased by Garuda Indonesia are on their way back to Canada. TSC60 is flying from WARQ / SOC (Adisumarmo Int'l [Adi Sumarmo Wiryokusumo]), and TSC80 is flying from WIDD / BTH (Hang Nadim). Both flights will stop at HNL for fuel later this afternoon.

TSC60 continued onto YUL after a brief fuel stop..

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the above photos! The top photo shows C-GGTS (msn 250), and the above photo shows C-GITS (msn 271). Both A330-243s are leased from ILFC.

***12.12.11 Update***
TSC80 left for YUL this morning.

Garuda's PK-GFS

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in four days. PK-GFS (c/n 36830, l/n 3860), is a 737-86N leased from GECAS, that's flying as GIA8011, and is overnighting at HNL tonight.

Sorry, we were unable to a photo of PK-GFS at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 did at BFI.

Air Transat Ferry Flight

One of four A330-243s sub-leased to Garuda Indonesia for Hajj flights, stopped over for fuel at HNL this morning. Flying as TSC70, the flight originated from Adisumarmo Int'l (Adi Sumarmo Wiryokusumo) [WARQ / SOC], and continued onto YYZ.

Mokulele Grounds Caravans

go!Mokulele grounded their Cessna Caravan fleet due to a issue with the flaps systems, that resulted in the cancellation of service since Friday.

KHON news coverage.

Air China's B-5622

Air China's B-5622 (c/n 40031, l/n 3859) has been accepted by the airline, and the 737-89L is making its delivery flight today as CCA51, with its first segment to HNL. It's seen above taxiing to its overnight parking spot on the South Ramp.

Philippine Airlines 70th Anniversary

In all of the hubbub of Air Force 1 departing HNL on 11.15.11, I forgot that a Philippine Airlines A330-301, RP-C3335 (msn 189), arrived as PAL100 from MNL, minutes before the President's plane departed. This A330 wears 70th anniversary markings over the wing section of the fuselage. PAL100/101 is normally served with an A340-300, but was substituted with this A330-301.

Philippine Airlines celebrated their 70th anniversary this past March, and is listed milestones on their website.

Pearl Harbor Attack 70th Anniversary

The HNL RareBirds team honors those who lost their lives in the attack on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, 70 years ago today. Along with the naval base, ‘Ewa Marine Corps Air Field, Kāne‘ohe Marine Corps Air Field, Hickam Army Air Field, Bellows Army Air Field, and Wheeler Army Air Field, all came under attack by carrier-based fighter-bombers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

The USS Arizona Memorial sits above the sunken hull of the battleship, BB-39. Within the sunken hulls off of Ford Island, are hundreds of sailors and marines entombed, and the area considered sacred ground and a National Cemetery.

Qantas' VH-VZV

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-VZV "Palm Cove" (c/n 34189, l/n 3856) today. The 737-838 is flying as QFA6024, and will stopover at HNL during its delivery flight from BFI to MEL.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the above photo of VH-VZV, sitting at one of the North Ramp Hardstands, in the late afternoon sunlight.

Garuda's PK-GMS

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their newest 737-8U3 today. PK-GMS (c/n 38071, l/n 3855) is making its delivery flight as GIA8011, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-GMS at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

American To Co-Sponsor Honolulu Marathon

American Airlines was announced as co-sponsor of the Honolulu Marathon. It will join OneWorld® partner Japan Airlines as principle sponsors of the December race.

American Airlinesʻ news release.

Lion Air's PK-LJH

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LJH (c/n 37288, l/n 3849), a 737-9GPER. Itʻs flying as LNI1, and made its brief fuel stop at HNL today, and left for MAJ two hours after its arrival. Itʻs seen above as its taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp.

Hainan's B-2501

The December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 1998 with Hainan Airlinesʻ B-2501 (c/n 29914, l/n 3067). This 737-44P was photographed on September 4, 1998 as it sat alongside the Circle Rainbow Air complex, while it was making its delivery flight from BFI to HAK. Itʻs also seen in their original livery. This 13-year-old "Baby Boeing"  continues to fly with Hainan, and has since been re-painted in their current livery. The area where I took this photo is where the Sky River Consulting hangar now stands.

Virgin Australia's VH-YID

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YID "Rainbow Beach" (c/n 38709, l/n 3851), a 737-8FE. It arrived at HNL this afternoon from BFI as VBH9080 (above). This is the first Virgin Australia 737-800 we have seen, with a name under the nose logo.

AMR Files For Bankruptcy

AMR, the parent company of American Airlines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday. While the holding company restructures, the airline will continue to operate as usual. At some point, though, some routes and aircraft will be eliminated, and the airline operation restructured.

The website on the restructuring American Airlines.

Aloha ‘Oe Continental Airlines

Today is the final day for Continental Airlines. Tomorrow, November 30th, at 0100HST, the merger between Continental Airlines and United Airlines finalizes under a single operating certificate (SOC) owned by Continental, but using the United name. That means the CO/COA codes, flight numbers, and the "Continental" call-sign are no more, replaced by Unitedʻs coding and call-sign. UAL1 is now from IAH to HNL, which previously was COA1.

United Continental Holdings press release.

Transair Files Expansion with DoT

Transair [Trans Executive Airlines dba] (MUI) has filed a Certificate of Public Conveyance with the Department of Transportation for expansion of their cargo operations to upgrade to a 737-200C, and scheduled passenger operations with the lone passenger-configured SD360. 

The airline has purchased a 737-2B1C, N808TA (c/n 20536, l/n 289), from AerGo Capital Ltd. This 737 was originally delivered to DETA Lineas Aéreas de Moçambique in October 1971, as CR-BAC. It was re-registered as C9-BAC in October 1975. AerGo Capital Ltd acquired C9-BAC, and leased it back to Lineas Aéreas de Moçambique in 1980. TransGlobal Airways then leased the 737 in October 2006 as RP-C8015.

Transair's application and motion to the Certificate of Public Conveyance

Armée De L`Air's F-RAJB

An Armée De L`Air (French Air Force) A340-212, F-RAJB (c/n 081), arrived at HNL yesterday, and parked at Gate 34 while on a fuel stop. F-RAJB is one of two VIP transports for French government officials.

Mahalo to "HI" for the photo!

Makani Kai Awarded Kalaupapa EAS

The US Department of Transportation (DoT) awarded the Essential Air Service contract to Makani Kai Charters (a subsidiary of Schuman Aviation) to provide air service between HNL and LUP. Makani Kai will be using two of their three nine-seat Cessna 208B Grand Caravans for the flight. 

Schuman had all of their three Caravans (N687MA [c/n 208B1002, above], N865MA [c/n 208B0996], and N866MA [c/n 208B0934, a Cargomaster]) parked on the South Ramp for the past couple of months, with the termination of the Pacific Air Express venture. Only the Cargomaster (N866MA) remains parked outside the Leis Air hangar.

US Senator Daniel Inouye's press release.

Skymark Airlines' JA73NJ

Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of a GECAS-leased 737-86N today. JA73NJ (c/n 39405, l/n 3845) is making its way from BFI to HND (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as SKY73NJ. It's seen above taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp.

Air China's B-5621

Air China is taking delivery of B-5621 (c/n 40030, l/n 3846) today. The 737-89L is flying as CCA51. It's seen above on the AirService Hawaii ramp.

John Travolta's N707JT

This past Sunday (11/20/11), John Travolta arrived in his 707-138B. After spending a few days in Hawaii, N707JT (c/n 18740, l/n 388) departed this evening.

Sun Country's N801SY

The producers of "Hawai‘i Five-0" chartered a Sun Country Airlines 737-800 for use tonight's episode "Ki‘ilua". N801SY (c/n 30332, l/n 777), a 737-8Q8, was flown in on October 20th as SCX8603 from EFP (via SFO). Filming took place over the next two days, then N801SY flew out to PGD (Punta Gorda, FL), via SFO and ELP in the wee hours of the 23rd.

The two photos show the production crew scouting out the location and 737. Production trucks lined Kapalulu Street, but the cast trailers were in another location.

Also, in tonight's episode was N6131P (c/n 66-16093), a UH-1H Huey owned by Pacific Helicopter Tours of Kahului, Maui.

North American N752NA & N755NA at OGG

We used to see North American Airlines 757s every day from OAK. Now, they only come here as charters. Shown above are N752NA (c/n 28174, l/n 865) and N755NA (c/n 30043, l/n 925), both 757-28As

NAO62 flew in from FOE (Forbes Field, Topeka, KS) and NAO66 flew in from MEM, both stopped off at OAK. NAO62 flew in the University of Kansas Jayhawks, and NAO66 flew in the University of Memphis Tigers for the Maui Invitational men's college basketball tournament going on in Lahaina, Maui.

DAL8908 brought in the Duke University Blue Devils from RDU.

ESPN's tournament preview.

QFA6027

One of Qantas' 737-400s is headed for storage on the US mainland as QFA6027. VH-TJF (c/n 24431, l/n 1863) "Brolga", a 737-476, is pictured above on HNL's North Ramp.

This 737-476 was originally delivered to Australian Airlines in May 1990, and merged into the Qantas fleet in October 1993.

Mahalo to team member Areos for the photo!

CSN3026

The last China Southern MD-90-30 to join the Delta Air Lines fleet is making its way to the US mainland as CSN3026. B-2267 (c/n 53533, l/n 2258) has the distinction of the final MD-90 to leave China. It will become N963DN when it joins the Delta fleet.

Mahalo to team member Areos for the photo!

Shenzhen's B-5619

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-87L this month. B-5619 (c/n 39125, l/n 3841) is making its island-hopping delivery flight from BFI to SZX (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as CSZ920.

Sorry, we were unable to get an HNL photo.

China Eastern's B-5282

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of their newest 737-79P, B-5282 (c/n 37920, l/n 3840), today. It's flew out of BFI as CES5282, and just arrived at HNL. It's seen above about to embark on its second segment to MAJ.

Hawaiian Orders Five More A330s

Hawaiian Airlines announced a firm order for five more A330-243s, and has purchase rights for another three. Delivery for the five are scheduled for 2015. This firm order raises the count of Hawaiian's A330s to 22, which includes four that are leased, and all those already delivered.

Hawaiian Air's press release.

Lion Air's 737MAX Boeing Order

Indonesia's Lion Air placed an order for 380 Boeing 737s, of which 201 are the new 737MAX. The other 29 are the current 737-9GPER, and the remaining 150 are for purchase rights.

Flightglobal article.

Boeing's artist rendition of a Lion 737MAX from their Flickr page.

China Southern's B-5609

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5609 (c/n 38963, l/n 3838), a 737-81B. It will island hop across the Pacific from BFI to PVG as CSN454.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Hawaiian Announces JFK Service

Hawaiian Airlines has announced that they will be flying daily, non-stop to JFK beginning June 4, 2012. This new service initially showed up as one of their special offers on their website hours before their press release came out.

HAL50: HNL-JFK

HAL51: JFK-HNL

The flights will be using their A330-243s. This service will be Hawaiian's first mainland destination east of PHX.

Just some history, Hawaiian was originally going to announce service to JFK in September 2001. However, the 9/11 terrorist attacks derailed those plans.

I'm not sure how long this link will work, but it will be updated once a press release comes out.

Hawaiian Air's New York Special Offer

More details on Hawaiian Air's Press Release.

Presently, the only time a Hawaiian Air 767 is spotted in New York, is for team charters for the NFL's Oakland Raiders or Seattle Seahawks. Continental (United) offers daily, non-stop service between HNL and EWR. The last airline to fly non-stop between HNL and JFK was Pan American in 1989. Though, according to some reports, American Trans Air had a JFK-HNL flight operated with an L1011-500 in the late 90s.

Mesa To Sell Off Mokulele Operations

Mesa Airlines announced that they are selling their Mokulele Airlines operations to Transpac Aviation (Scottsdale, AZ). Mesa will continue to run the inter-island CRJ service, while Transpac run the Caravan operations as Mokulele Flight Service. Though the two airlines will have separate ownerships, the go!Mokulele brand and code-share will continue on.

Yahoo! Finance article.

"Air Force 1"

President Barack Obama departed Honolulu this morning for Canberra (CBR/YSCB), then Darwin (DRW/YPDN), Australia in "Air Force 1", seen above lifting off from Runway 8L. 82-8000 (c/n 23824, l/n 679), a VC-25A (747-2G4B), brought the President here for the APEC 2011 Conference. The blue helicopter, in the background, is HPD's N504HP which carried a pair of Secret Service agents, that followed the motorcade, and landed after "Air Force 1" made its right turn south over Ke‘ehi Lagoon.

This C-32A (757-2G4W), 98-0001 (c/n 29025, l/n 783), followed "Air Force 1" as SAM (Special Air Missions) 44. It departed a few minutes after, on Runway 8L. It received its Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets in 2007.

Air China's B-2472

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his entourage came to Honolulu for the APEC 2011 Conference using one Air China's 747-4J6s. B-2472 (c/n 30158, l/n 1243) flew as CCA25 to and from PEK. The 747 parked on the HIK ramp, where President Hu arrived at the HIK VIP Terminal, and left from there this morning. It's seen above climbing out from its Runway 8L take-off.

B-2472 has been configured as a VIP transport for Chinese dignitaries.

The J6 Boeing customer code was originally allocated to the CAAC (Civil Aviation Authority of China). It carried onto Air China, after its creation. Air China's 777-200s, 767-300ERs, and some of their 737-300s carry the J6 code, while newer purchases carry the current 9L Boeing code.

Some APEC RareBirds

With the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in town, there comes various, different aircraft from around the world. This morning arrivals included Russia's President Dmitri Medvedev, Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Philippine's President Benigno Aquino III, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera, and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Seen above is an entourage of two Il-62Ms. There was also a Il-96-300 that landed before the Il-62Ms' carrying Dmitri Medvedev himself. RA-86559 (c/n 2153258) and RA-86467 (c/n 3749733) made the trip over from Moscow.

Also above is the Sultan of Brunei's V8-ALI (c/n 26426, l/n 910), a 747-430.

Australia's Prime Minister used one of their 737-7DF BBJs, the Philippines President used a Philippine Airlines A340-313X, and Chile's President arrived on their air force's 767-3YOER.

Arriving later tonight will be dignitaries from Japan, Canada, South Korea, and USA's Barack Obama.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Air!

82 years ago today, Hawaiian Airlines (then-named Inter-Island Airways), launched their first inter-island flight from HNL to ITO, with a stop in Maui.

Veteran's Day

Today, we remember the veterans who served, and who are currently serving our country.

Four Hawai‘i Air National Guard F-22As will make their first "Missing Man" formation pass over the National Cemetary of the Pacific at Pū‘owaina (Punchbowl Crater) today.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Crashes On Moloka‘i

A Blue Hawaiian helicopter crashed on Moloka‘i today, and claimed the lives of all five on board.

Hawai‘i News Now article coverage.

Lion Air's PK-LJG

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of their latest 737-9GPER today. PK-LJG (c/n 37287, l/n 3831) is making its island-hopping delivery flight from BFI to CGK (via HNL, MAJ, and BIK) as LNI1.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Air New Zealand To Increase HNL Service

Beginning in July 2012, Air New Zealand will increase the frequency of their round-trip AKL-HNL service from twice-weekly to thrice-weekly. From July to September 2012, the aircraft will be upgraded to their 777-200ERs from their 767-300ERs.

AirlineRoute.com article.

Russian Air Force's RA-78818

RA-78818 (msn 0093495858), an Ilyushin Il-76MD of the Russian Air Force (Voyenno-Vozdushnye sily Rossiya [Военно-Воздушные сили Россия]) arrived at HNL this morning to bring in the limousines for President Dmitry Medvedev, for his visit for the APEC Conference. It's seen above taxiing to Taxiway F, where it will park until the end of the conference.

The Il-76 taxied on its own power to the parking spot, because the tow bar attached to the ground handler's tug had snapped right before towing from the UPS/FedEx ramp. A few minivans led the way to the parking to bring the cargo jet's crew back.

RA-78818 is assigned to the 224th Air Detachment of Military Transport Aviation, 61st Air Army, based at Tver Migalovo (KLD/UUEM), Kalinin, Russia.

HNL's APEC Security Zone

Hawaii News Now has posted maps of security zones for the APEC Conference that begins on Monday, Nov 7th. This is the map for the extra security around HNL for the conference.

Map from Hawaii News Now and Department of Homeland Security.

Shenzhen's B-5618

Today, Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5618 (c/n 39151, l/n 3828), a 737-87L. It's flying as CSZ919 from BFI, with its first stop at HNL.

Sorry, no HNL photo.

Qantas' VH-VZU

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-VZU (c/n 34187, l/n 3826) today. The 737-838 is flying out of BFI as QFA6024.

Sorry, no HNL photo, though team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

Alaska To Add Bay Area - HNL Service

Alaska Airlines announced today that they will launch daily non-stop service to HNL from SJC and OAK, in April 2012. With this move, Alaska will now have service between the Northern California Bay Area and all four major Hawai‘i airports. The airline will use their 737-890s for these new flights, as their fleet also continues to expand with more 737NGs on the way.

ASA835: OAK-HNL

ASA836: HNL-OAK

ASA837: SJC-HNL

ASA838: HNL-SJC

Alaska Airlines press release.

Garuda's PK-GIJ

The November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to January 6, 1996, where Garuda Indonesia's MD-11, PK-GIJ (c/n 48504, l/n 548) was photographed as it taxied along Taxiway RT. Garuda used to fly between CGK and HNL from the mid-90s to the late 90s. The short-lived service arrived from CGK around midnight, and returned the next morning.

PK-GIJ was originally delivered to Garuda in December 1993, and stayed for over four years. In November 1998, it went to Varig as PP-VQH. In 2007, 48504 was converted to a freighter, and acquired by Aeroflot in June 2008, as VP-BDQ.

During one of their landings on Runway 4R, a Garuda MD-11 had a tail-strike, that resulted in a go-around that had the tri-jet rocket over Kalihi, Nu‘uanu, downtown Honolulu, and Kaka‘ako before turning out to sea to re-cycle for another approach to Runway 4R. I was sitting out on my lanai of my condo that night, watching the string of late evening 4R arrivals, when I heard the Garuda crew request the go-around over my scanner. It was an amazing to watch and hear that MD-11 go full throttle over the city, especially watching the marker lights climb and bank. The MD-11 was subsequently parked on the South Ramp. It was determined that the damage was rather extensive, and temporary repairs could be made, so it could be ferried to the McDonnell-Douglas facilities at LGB for major repairs. I heard that the tail section did suffer damage to the airframe.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 15001

An RCAF Airbus CC-150 Polaris (A310-304), 15001 (msn 446), paid a visit to HNL today, and parked at Gate 34. It's one of five CC-150s in the RCAF fleet.

This A310 was originally delivered to Wardair Canada as C-GBWD in February 1988. When Canadian Airlines acquired Wardair Canada, C-GBWD was absorbed into the combined fleet. The Royal Canadian Air Force acquired the A310 in 1993, and had a main deck cargo door installed in 1996.

A big mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo!

This also our 1,500th blog post!

Work Stoppage Cancels All Qantas Flights

In reaction to simultaneous labor disputes among three Qantas workers unions, the Australian carrier has grounded of all Qantas mainline and international flights today, including QFA3/4. QantasLink, JetStar, and JetConnect flights are not affected.

Qantas press release.

***10.30.11 Update***
According to the BBC, an independent tribunal has forced the airline to resume operations.