Allegiant Launches LAS-HNL Service

Allegiant Airlines inaugurated flights between LAS and HNL, making it the third airline to have non-stop service between the two cities.  AAY570 arrived this morning, and AAY571 will return to the "9th Island" about two hours after arrival at HNL.

RAAF C-130J-30

A C-130J-30 Hercules of the Royal Australian Air Force arrived in Honolulu this afternoon. A97-467 (c/n 382-5467) belongs to the 37th Squadron from Richmond (YSRI), New South Wales, Australia.

Tomorrow is also the start of RIMPAC 2012. Twenty-two countries will partake in the world's largest maritime exercise. More than 200 aircraft, 42 ships, and 6 submarines will turn Hawaii's skies and seas into a mock battlefield from June 29 till August 3.

JASDF C-130H

Far from home, a Japan Air Self Defense Force C-130H lifts off of Runway 8L. 75-1077 (c/n 382-5018) belongs to the 401st Hikotai from Komaki Airbase, Nagoya (RJNA) Japan.

Morocco Government's BBJ

Seen above in the early evening, a BBJ (737-8KB BBJ2) of the Moroccan Government sits after flying dignitaries into Honolulu. CN-MVI (c/n 37545, l/n 2696) was purchased by the Moroccan Government in September 2010, and wears the basic Royal Air Maroc [AT/RAM] livery, except for the Arabic titles.

It was originally delivered to Qatar Amiri Flight as A7-AAZ back in November, 2008.

Malaysia's 9M-MLO

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their newest 737-8H6 today. 9M-MLO (c/n 39325, l/n 4085) is making its delivery flight as MAS5403. It's seen above on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, briefly after parking in its overnight parking spot. Note that the winglets on 9M-MLO lack the MAS logo.

N17620

A former United Airlines 737-524, N17620 (c/n 27333, l/n 2660, UAL f/n 0260), is making its way from EWR to CGK, destined for the Sriwijaya Airlines [SJ/SJY] fleet. It began its journey on May 9th, and has made stops at MSY, IAH, OAK, LIH, and HNL so far. This 737-524 has been fitted with Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets (in September 2009). It arrived at HNL this afternoon from LIH.

This 737-524 is seen above on HNL's South Ramp, with its United titles and most of the tail logo painted over, the next morning, awaiting its next leg to MAJ.

N17620 was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in February 1995, under lease from GECAS. It continued on with United Airlines following the merger of the two carriers. It was returned to GECAS two weeks ago, and now headed to Indonesia, its the second of a dozen 737-500s bound to replace Sriwijaya's 737-200s.


*** 06.28.12 Update ***
N17620 departed for MAJ this morning, but returned to HNL after reaching waypoint MCFLY, due to a maintenance issue.

*** 07.01.12 Update ***
It finally departed for MAJ and BIK today.

*** 12.03.12 Update ***
27333 was re-registered as PK-CLD.

VP-BJI GLEX at OGG

This mysterious Global Express arrived OGG today from PGUM (Guam International). FlightAware shows it was recently at WIHH, WADD, YPPH, and YSCB. Initial radio call to Maui Tower identifying, "Global Victor Papa Bravo Juliet India locked on the ILS for Runway 2" were done with a distinct British accent... 

China Airlines Skyteam 747-409

Today, China Airlines used B-18206 (c/n 29030, l/n 1145), which is painted in the Skyteam livery, for its CI18/17 flights between NRT and HNL. It's seen above parked at Gate 28.

A Skyteam partner (Korean Airlines) A330-300, is parked at the next gate to its left, at Gate 29, as KAL51/52 (ICN-HNL).

Lion's PK-LJV

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-8GP in the past seven days. PK-LJV (c/n 38721, l/n 4077) is making its delivery flight as LNI1. PK-LJV is seen above, on Taxiway C, after landing on Runway 4R. It was taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, for its brief fuel stop, before continuing on to MAJ.

China Southern's B-5645

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B within eight days. B-5645 (c/n 38922, l/n 4076) is flying from BFI this morning as CSN618, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5645 at HNL.

Hawaiian To Add BNE

Hawaiian Airlines announced this morning, that they will launch thrice-weekly service between BNE (Brisbane International Airport, Australia) and HNL. The flights will begin on November 27, 2012, and Hawaiian will use their 767-300ERs. BNE becomes the second Australian destination on Hawaiian's route system. 

This November, flights between BNE and HNL will be re-instated, eleven months after the demise of the short-lived Air Australia.

HAL443: HNL-BNE (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
HAL444: BNE-HNL (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Lion Air's PK-LJU

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737NG in the past four weeks. PK-LJU (c/n 37294, l/n 4071), a 737-8GP, is on its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop later today. PK-LJU is seen above on taxiing to Runway 8R, on Taxiway RT, as it heads off to MAJ.

N278WA

A former World Airways MD-11ER, N278WA (c/n 48746, l/n 597), has stopped off at HNL from QPG [Paya Lebar Air Base (Royal Singapore Air Force)]. This MD-11 is now registered to MDFC-Memphis Co. (Seattle, WA).  N278WA will depart for VCV later this evening.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of N278WA at HNL.

Hainan's B-5663

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5663 (c/n 38154, l/n 4063) this morning. This is their second new 737-84P in the past three weeks. Its making its delivery flight as B5663, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above taxiing out to Runway 8R for departure to GUM.

China Southern's B-5646

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5646 (c/n 38932, l/n 4064) this morning. Their newest 737-81B is making its delivery flight as CSN129 from BFI, and will overnight at HNL. B-5646 is seen above taxiing out to Runway 8R for departure to MAJ.

United Launches HNL-IAD Service

This afternoon, United Airlines launched service between HNL and IAD, as UAL144, operating a 767-424ER. The return segment is UAL145. Itʻs Unitedʻs second non-stop east coast destination, along with EWR (UAL14/15).

Dalian's B-5642

It appears that Air China has designated another brand new 737-89L for its subsidiary, Dalian Airlines. B-5642 (c/n 40017, l/n 4060) is flying as CCD8996, and is stopping through HNL. The flight, however, does not appear on any flight tracking sites. B-5642 is seen above, on Taxiway RT, as it taxies out for departure to MAJ. This is the fourth 737-800 for the regional airline.

For this delivery flight, Dalian Airlines used AirService Hawaii for ground handling, while the last one used Castle & Cooke Aviation.

Shandong's B-5649

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5649 (c/n 38640, l/n 4061) today. It's their second 737-85N in the past four weeks, and is flying as CDG5649. B-5649 is seen above on the AirService Hawaii ramp, before its next leg to MAJ.

Omega's N624RH

Omega Air Tanker's N624RH (c/n 19624, l/n 689), a former Qantas Airways and Royal Australian Air Force 707-338C, made a stop at HNL last night, and departed for RAAFB Amberley [YAMB] (above) this morning.

This 707-338C stopped through last October, as it was transiting from Australia to Omega's base in San Antonio, TX, still in its RAAF colors.

Oribital Science Corporation's L-1011

Above, is Orbital Science's L-1011-385-1-15 Tristar 100 on final for Runway 8L. Orbital Science utilizes a modified L-1011 as a mother-ship for the air launched Pegasus rocket. N140SC (c/n 190E-1067) or "Stargazer", is currently on a mission to launch a nuclear spectroscopic telescope array (NuSTAR) into space from the skies above Kwajalein Atoll. It arrived this afternoon from VBG [Vandenburg AFB, Lompoc, CA], along with a Miami Air International 737-800, N738MA, as BSK648.

N140SC is seen above departing for KWA. I was unable to get a photo of N738MA as it departed for KWA before I got to HNL, and it was parked at Castle & Cooke, but a clear photo op was obscured by another Miami Air 737 doing an inmate transfer flight. (BW707)


This Tri-Star was originally delivered to Air Canada as C-FTNJ (f/n 510) in March 1974. During its time with ACA, it did a three week lease stint with Air Lanka, as 4R-TNJ. ACA retired C-FTNJ in October 1990, and stored it at MZJ. Orbital Sciences bought the L-1011-100 in May 1992, and has launched over 40 Pegasus Rockets from its belly pylon.


*** 06.13.12 Update ***
Orbital Sciences launched the Pegasus rocket this morning. NYC Aviation posted the NASA briefing video on their website.

Hawaiian Launches JFK-HNL Service

Early this morning, at 0416HST, Hawaiian Airlines flight 51 departed JFK for HNL, inaugurating the return leg to HNL from "The Big Apple". HAL51, scheduled to arrive at 1500HST, landed 45 minutes early, as it caught a tailwind. The media pool just made it to the gate, as N386HA pulls into HNL's Gate 34 (above).

Over 250 passengers filled N386HA "Heiheionākeiki", to make Hawaiianʻs first JFK-HNL flight. The return leg, HAL51 left JFK to a water-cannon salute, and the passengers received lei as they boarded, and as they de-planed at HNLʻs Gate 34.

The Hawaiian Air Serenaders performed Hawaiian music and hula for the arriving passengers.

A couple who were on HAL51, pose for photos with the commemorative banner in the background.

Hawaiian Airlines is sponsoring a week-long series of events in New York City that will feature a number of Hawaiian music artists.

Hawaiian Launches HNL-JFK Service

This afternoon, Hawaiian Airlines inaugurated service between HNL and JFK as HAL50. The airline's newest A330-243, N386HA "Heiheionākeiki" (msn 1302), carried 173 passengers to the "Big Apple". N386HA, one of the airlineʻs newest A330-243, is seen above, being pushed out of HNL's Gate 34.

The pre-boarding festivities included Hawaiian music and hula by the Hawaiian Air Serenaders, a New York-themed performance by local jazz singer Jimmy Borges, and a Hawaiian blessing. Each passenger also received a lei right before boarding.

Hawaiian Airʻs commemorative New York banner and a tied maile lei draped across the entryway to Gate 34.

Local jazz singer Jimmy Borges crooned a few New York-themed songs, including "Come Fly With Me" and "New York, New York".

Hawaiian Airʻs General Counsel Hoyt Zia unties the maile lei with Kahu Richard Kamanu, who performed the blessing, watching on.

China Xinjiang's B-2853

This month's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to 1998, and the delivery flight of China Xinjiang Airlines' B-2853 (c/n 29216, l/n 811), a 757-28S.

B-2853 was delivered to China Xinjiang [XO/CXJ] in July 1998. When CXJ was acquired by China Southern Airlines, B-2853 was absorbed into the CSN fleet, and continues to fly with the SkyTeam partner.