"Manawanui" Enters Service

Island Air's N348AE entered service this afternoon, with its first revenue flight as MKU105 to LIH (above). It returned to HNL as MKU106. N348AE later flew to LNY as MKU316, and returned as MKU317.

Air China's B-5297

Air China is taking delivery of B-5297 (c/n 41092, l/n 4354) today. This 737-79L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA51, and will overnight at HNL. B-5297 is seen above, shortly after arriving from BFI.

China Southern's B-5718

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B within the past five days. B-5178 (c/n 38939, l/n 4359) is making its delivery flight from as CSN5178, and will stop off at HNL. It's seen above, on Taxiway RT, as it departs for MAJ.

N594AB

A former Batavia Air 737-4S3 is making its way back to the US mainland, as its lease has expired. N594AB (c/n 25594, l/n 2223) is flying from TNA, and made stops at GUM, MAJ, and HNL. It will leave for OAK tomorrow.

25594 was purchased by ILFC, and delivered to Malaysia Airlines in February 1992 as 9M-MLJ. It was then leased to in March 1993, by Istanbul Airlines, as TC-AVA. First Security Bank of Utah (now part of Wells Fargo Bank Northwest [WFBN]) purchased this 737-4S3, as N2423N. LOT Polish Airlines leased it in April 2000, as SP-LLH. Six months later, it was leased to Philippine Airlines as EI-CVO. In July 2007, it was leased by Nok Air as HS-DDK for one year. In November 2008, it went to Batavia Air as PK-YVQ. It's next lessee is the Fuerza Aerea Colombia (Colombian Air Force), as a freighter (above photos).

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photos.

N181LF

A former Sichuan Airlines A320-232, B-6025 (msn 573), is returning to the US mainland from China, as it's being returned to ILFC. It's ferrying from SHE (Shenyang Taoxian International Airport), and has made stops at GUM and HNL. It's next stop is GYR.

This A320 was purchased by ILFC, and delivered to Air Macau as CS-MAD, in February 1996. Three years later, it was delivered to Ryan International Airlines as N573DC. In December 2000, it went back to Air Macau, as B-MAD, since Macau became under Chinese rule. In April 2003, it was leased to Sichuan Airlines. In July 2010, it was sub-leased to Hebei Airlines for an 11-month period. It's next lessee is scheduled to go to Aruba Airlines as P4-AAC. As you can see above, it's already painted in the Aruba Airlines livery.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo.

Island Air's N941WP Blessing

Island Air held a blessing ceremony for their new ATR72-212, N941WP (msn 349), today, in their hangar. The ATR72 was also given the name "Manawanui" (Hawaiian for Steadfastness and Perseverance). It will remain as N348AE for the time being.

A Hawaiian blessing was performed by Kahu Kelekona Bishaw. It also included the untying of the maile lei that was on the railings of the main entry doors, by Island Air CEO Les Murashige and Island Air's Station Training Specialist Sumer Harrell.

At a press conference held after the blessing, Island Air CEO Les Murashige (right) announced that the airline was purchased was by Larry Ellison. Also at the press conference were Paul Marinelli, VP Lawrence Investments (left), and Michael Rodynuck, Senior Consultant (center).


This is also our 2,000th blog post.

Hainan's B-5712

Hainan Airlines' B-5712 (c/n 39196, l/n 4355) caps off a delivery flight "home run" stopping off at HNL. Their 737-84P, flying as B5712, is the fourth China-bound 737NG delivering today. It's seen above, parked on its South Ramp hardstand.

Shanghai's B-5801

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of their latest 737-76D today. B-5801 (c/n 39303, l/n 4349) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH501, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, parked on its South Ramp hardstand. Of the four 737NGs delivering today, B-5801 is the only -700.

Shandong's B-5725

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5725 (c/n 39330, l/n 4351) today. Their 737-85N, leased from Babcock & Brown, is flying out of BFI as CDG5725, and will overnight at HNL. B-5725 is seen above on the AirService Hawaii ramp.

Xiamen's B-5708

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5708 (c/n 38403, l/n 4357) this morning. The 737-85C is flying as CXA5708, and will overnight at HNL, after arriving from BFI. B-5708 is seen above on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp.

Hawaiian Adds Flights To Australia And New Zealand

Hawaiian Airlines announced that they will increase flights to both Australian destinations (SYD and BNE), and AKL during the months of September and October this year.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Singapore's 9V-SFK

Singapore Airlines Cargo is routed one of their cargo flights through HNL this morning. SQC7961 arrived from LAX, en route to MEL, for a fuel stop. 9V-SFK (c/n 28030, l/n 1298), a 747-412F, parked on the North Ramp during its HNL stopover. The 747-412 is pictured above, on HNL's North Ramp.

Kamaka's N248KA Enters Service

Kamaka Air's newest C208BF Grand Cargomaster, N248KA (msn 208B2408), entered service this morning with a flight to MKK. It's seen above taxiing out for its departure from Runway 4R.

China Southern's B-5717

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5717 (c/n 38938, l/n 4347) this morning. This 737-81B is flying from BFI as CSN101, and will overnight at HNL upon arrival here. With the large number of bizjets that AirService Hawaii is handling on their ramp, China Southern is using Castle & Cooke Aviation to do the ground handling on this particular stopover. B-5717 is seen above, taxiing to the Castle & Cooke ramp.

N650PH

One of the first production Gulfstream G650s, N650PH (c/n 6013), is making a stop at HNL, as it makes its way to AKL, from VNY. It's seen above landing on Runway 4R. The G650 made a quick stop at Bradley Pacific Aviation, before taxiing over to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam [HIK].

N227GV

After spending two months sitting on HNL's South Ramp, N227GV (msn 19000159), the ERJ-190-100ECJ Lineage 1000, is making its way back to Asia, as it's leaving for GUM this morning, where it will stop for fuel. It's final destination is HLP [Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia].

Qantas Fleet Renewal

Qantas Airways announced today that they will phase out their 737-400s by year's end, and their 767-300ER fleet by the end of 2015. At the same time, Qantas announced that they will grow their 737-838 fleet to a total of 75 airframes from the current 54. Four are currently on order for delivery this year, with five more in 2014, and the other 12 to follow.

Further details in this Qantas Airways press release.

Malindo Air's 9M-LNB

Malindo Air [MLO] is the Malaysian subsidiary of Indonesia's Lion Air, and they are taking delivery of their first 737-8GP, 9M-LNB (c/n 38728, l/n 4350) today. Flying as MLO1, 9M-LNB made a Lion Air-type stop at HNL. As seen above, Malindo is the new low-cost carrier in Malaysia, and will retain its parent company's livery and logo. We're not sure where this flight will terminate, but we know MLO1 was headed for MAJ.

Lion Air will allocate a portion of their existing orders to build the Malindo fleet. 9M-LNB was originally designated as PK-LKS, prior to its allocation to Malindo.

Malaysia's 9M-MSA

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MSA (c/n 40143, l/n 4346) today. The 737-8H6 is flying as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL, after completing its first leg of its delivery flight. It's seen above, taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, where it will overnight. MAS5473 will continue onto PNI tomorrow.

This was the Castle & Cooke's second daily double in the past five days, but this time, these are 737-800s headed for Malaysia.

Atlas Air's N415MC

Qantas Freight operated by Atlas Air utilized one of their two 747-47UF/SCD painted in the Emirates Skycargo livery. N415MC (c/n 32837, l/n 1304) flew in from Chicago O'Hare International (KORD/ORD) the previous night, and departed this morning to Sydney (YSSD/SYD) as QFA7552.

Hawaiian Announces Service To Sendai

Hawaiian Airlines announced this morning that they intend to launch service between HNL and Sendai International Airport [SDJ/RJSS], beginning June 25, 2013, pending governmental approval. The three-flights-pre-week service will be flown with their 767-300ERs.

HAL441: HNL-SDJ

HAL442: SDJ-CTS-HNL

This HNL-SDJ flight will be the first regularly scheduled service between the two cities, as Japan Airlines only has (and had) seasonal charters from SDJ.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Solaseed's JA806X

Solaseed Airlines is taking delivery of their second GECAS-leased 737-86N today. JA806X (c/n 38036, l/n 4339) is making its delivery flight as SNJ806X, and will overnight at HNL.

Skymark's JA73NR

Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of JA73NR (c/n 39927, l/n 4340) today. The 737-8FH, leased from SMBC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as SKY73NR, and will overnight at HNL.

I'm not sure, but this may be the first Japan-bound 737 delivery flight daily double we've had here at HNL.

American And US Airways To Merge

American Airlines and US Airways announced this morning that the two airlines have agreed to merge. American will be the surviving brand, especially with their re-brand and new livery.

How this merger will affect the Hawai‘i market remains to be seen. The US Airways (and previous America West Airlines) service to/from PHX survived that merger. Also, how fast will the former US Airways fleet receive the new American branding?

American Airlines has released this webpage about the merger.

American's acquisitions since the 1980s: AirCal (Air California) [OC/ACL], Reno Air [QQ/ROA], and Trans World Airlines [TW/TWA].
US Airways' acquisitions since the 1980s: Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) [PS/PSX], Piedmont Airlines [PI/PAI], and America West Airlines [HP/AWE].

US Air Force's 80-1081

A U-2S of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing based out of Beale AFB arrived in the mid-morning sunlight. 80-1081 (c/n 081) along with other U-2s' deployed to Osan Air Base, South Korea have been slowly withdrawn from the theater.

Beijing Airlines' B-8028

One of Beijing Airlines' business jets, B-8028 (msn 101), a Falcon 7X, has made a stop at HNL. Beijing Airlines [BJN] is the business jet charter subsidiary of Air China, and has a mixed fleet of several business jet types. This Falcon 7X is flying as BJN882.

Hawaiian's Service Upgrades

Hawaiian Airlines announced today, that they will upgrade their HNL-PDX [HAL25/26] service from a 767-300ER to an A330-243, beginning on May 10, 2013. Also, from June 13 to October 3, Hawaiian's HNL-OAK flight [HAL47/48] will go daily.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Island Air N348AE

Island Air's ATR7 on the ramp at PHTO Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013.  Beautiful paint scheme on these! 

Qantas' VH-ZXA

Qantas Airways is ferrying another of their 767-336ERs to ROW for storage. The RB211-powered VH-ZXA (c/n 24337, l/n 288) has stopped over at HNL from SYD as QFA6025.

24337 was originally delivered to British Airways as G-BNWE, named "City of Lisbon", in March 1990. In the late 90s, when British Airways switched to its "World Tails" livery, G-BNWE received the "Chelsea Rose" motif. Qantas then purchased it in August 2000.

‘Ohana By Hawaiian

‘Ohana by Hawaiian is the new branding for the new ATR42 operations that Hawaiian Airlines will launch this summer. The airline held a press conference this morning in the Inter-Island Terminal to announce their formal plans to operate two ATR42s for service to LNY and MKK. The ‘Ohana livery was designed by local clothing designer Sig Zane, and his son Kuha‘o.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release, and on Hawaiian's website.

photos from the media event to follow ...

N763AG

N763AG (c/n 27630, l/n 2848), a former Asiana Airlines 737-48E, is making its way back to the mainland, as its lease with ILFC has expired. It appears that the Aviation Capital Group has acquired N763AG. While awaiting its ferry flight back to the mainland, it was stored at CAN. It has stopped through GUM and MAJ, before arriving at HNL in the wee hours of this morning, and parked on the north ramp. As seen above, it still wears the current Asiana livery, but with the titles painted over. N763AG is destined for storage at VCV.

27630 was originally delivered to Asiana as HL7511 in January 1997, under lease from ILFC.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo.

*** 02.14.13 Update ***
N763AG departed for VCV this morning.

Lion Air's PK-LKR

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of third 737-8GP in less than two weeks. PK-LKR (c/n 38686, l/n 4332) is making its delivery flight today as LNI1, and will make it's brief fuel stop at HNL later today.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-LKR at HNL, though team member Drewski2112, got it at BFI during its test phase.

Nok Air's HS-DBK

Nok Air [DD/NOK] (Thailand) is taking delivery of HS-DBK (c/n 37774, l/n 4328) today. This 737-86J was originally ordered, and built for AirBerlin [AB/BER] (Germany). It was to have been registered as D-ABMM, but was not taken up. HS-DBK, as seen above, still has the AirBerlin-liveried rudder and winglets. This aircraft will be named "Nok Sabai" after it's painted in the Nok livery.

We had no idea that this flight was headed here, but we were waiting for Solaseed's JA805X arrival.

Solaseed's JA805X

Solaseed Air [LQ/SNJ "NewSky"] is taking delivery of JA805X (c/n 38035, l/n 4327) today. The GECAS-leased 737-86N is flying as SNJ05X (above), and will overnight at HNL.

January 2013 Deliveries

These were the 12 737NG deliveries that stopped through Hawai‘i during the month of January:
4300 | B-5715 | 38936 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [01.11.13 CSN715]
4306 | B-5706 | 38399 | Xiamen Airlines | -85C [01.16.13 CXA5706]
4301 | B-5296 | 41091 | Air China | -79L [01.16.13 CCA51]
4307 | B-5716 | 38937 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [01.16.13 CSN805]
4304 | B-5711 | 39195 | Hainan Airlines | -84Pº [01.16.13 B5711 - ???]
4303 | B-5731 | 40951 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P* [01.17.13 CES299]
4311 | B-5723 | 39329 | Shandong Airlines | -8FZ [01.18.13 CDG5723]
4310 | JA73NQ | 39432 | Skymark Airlines | -81D [01.19.13 SKY73NQ]
4314 | PK-LKP | 38685 | Lion Airlines | -8GP* [01.23.12 LNI1]
4317 | 9M-MXO | 40142 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [01.23.13 MAS5473]
4313 | B-5730 | 39302 | Shanghai Airlines | -86D [01.25.13 CSH730]
4320 | PK-LKQ | 38727 | Lion Airlines | -8GP [01.25.13 LNI1

-700: 1
-800: 11

China: 8
Indonesia: 2
Japan: 1
Malaysia: 1

N88ZL

The February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to April 2004, with N88ZL (c/n 18928, l/n 457), a 707-330B, owned by Lowa Ltd., that paid a visit on HNL's South Ramp.

18928 was originally purchased by Lufthansa, and was delivered in December 1965 as D-ABUF "Hanover". From April 1978 to February 1981, Lufthansa leased this 707 to its subsidiary Condor Flugdienst. In March 1985, it's current owner, Lowa Ltd., purchased 18928, and had it re-configured to a VIP interior, as well as registering it as N88ZL. Since this 707 has been with Lowa, it has been through four different liveries. The first was from 1985 until the late 1990s. With its second livery (which lasted only a few years), also came the hush-hitted JT3Ds (as seen above). The third livery (above), lasted from about 2003 until 2011. N88ZL has been parked at OPF since late 2011, and painted in its fourth livery.

This 707-330B has been used as a concert tour charter for music acts like Pearl Jam, Bryan Adams, Beyoncé, and Bo Jovi.