Skymark's JA73NU

Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of JA73NU (c/n 38046, l/n 4511) this morning. The GECAS-leased 737-86N is making its delivery flight as SKY73NU, an will overnight at HNL.

VH-QQJ

A former Skytrans Airlines [NP/SKP] (Australia) Dash8-102A, VH-QQJ (msn 392), is making its ferry flight from Australia to the US mainland, and has stopped off at HNL. The flight originated from CNS (Cairns International Airport, Cairns, Queensland, Australia) on June 26th, and made its first stop at MAJ.

392 was originally delivered to Allegheny Commuter Airlines in December 1994 as N828EX (f/n ESW), that was operating for US Airways Express. It was then transferred to Piedmont Airlines in July 2004, when Piedmont merged with Allegheny Commuter. In January 2010, Skytrans took delivery of 392 as VH-QQJ.

This Dash8-102A was once sister ships with Island Air's N829EX, which was recently withdrawn from service.

WestJet Expands Hawai‘i Service

WestJet Airlines announced today that they will be expanding to daily service on their YVR-KOA and YVR-LIH flights, that will begin in December.

 Further details in this WestJet press release.

Lion Air's PK-LKU

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LKU (c/n 38691, l/n 4514) today. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop this afternoon at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ. Normally, their third segment of their delivery flight is routed MAJ-BIK, but today's third segment is routed from MAJ to CEB [Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu Island, Philippines].

38691 was originally registered as PK-LLH, but with allocations to subsidiaries Batik Air and Malindo Air, Lion has been using older registrations that were given to its allocations.

Fiji Airways Name Change Official

Beginning today, Fiji Airways becomes the official name and branding of the Fijian carrier. The Air Pacific name and branding is retired. Their A330-243s and a couple of their 737NGs have already received the new livery, and the remaining aircraft will be repainted.

Further information in this Fiji Airways press release.

Ex-bmi G-WWBM

An ex-bmi A330-243, G-WWBM (msn 398), owned by ILFC, is parked on the North Ramp at HNL. This aircraft was stored at Victorville (VCV) when bmi ceased operations and was merged into British Airways. It's not sure where this aircraft came from as there is no listing on Flightaware, but a search on Flightradar24 shows G-WWBM leaving from Manila (MNL) heading east.

According to PlaneSpotters.net, G-WWBM is slated to be leased to Thomas Cook Airlines.

Hawaiian And American Announce Frequent Flyer Partnership

Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines announced this morning that will begin a frequent flyer partnership on most flights across the US mainland. The two carriers will have a reciprocating earn/redeem program between HawaiianMiles and AAdvantage. Flights between Hawai‘i and the mainland will be excluded from the partnership.

Hawaiian Launches SDJ Service

This morning, Hawaiian Airlines launched service to SDJ (Sendai International Airport, Sendai, Miyagi-ken, Japan) with HAL441. N589HA was the 767-300ER making the inaugural flight.

China Southern's B-5746

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their fourth 737-81B this month, with B-5746 (c/n 38952, l/n 4505). It's making its delivery flight from BFI this morning as CSN201.

China Eastern's B-5779

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5779 (c/n 39726, l/n 4503) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight as CES299, and seen above on HNL's South Ramp.

Mahalo to team member Hal763 for the photo.

Shandong's B-5755

Shandong Airlines took delivery of their third 737-800 this month. B-5755 (c/n 40043 l/n 4504) arrived from BFI as CDG5755 on June 22, and left for MAJ today, June 23, with the same flight number. This 737-89L was originally assigned to parent company, Air China, but reassigned to Shandong.

China United's B-5840

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5840 (c/n 41304 l/n 4493) tonight. The 737-89P, originally ordered by parent company China Eastern Airlines, was allocated to CUA, and is making its delivery flight as CUA840.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5840 at HNL.

Thomson To Hawai‘i?

Thomson Airways hinted that Hawai‘i (along with Australia and South Africa) could be one of their new 787 Dreamliner destinations within a few years. 

 Further information in this Bloomberg article.

Moroccan Government's CN-MVI

The Moroccan Government's BBJ2, CN-MVI (c/n 37545, l/n 2696) is making a stop at HNL today. It's seen above on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp.

Larry Ellison To Buy go!

It's being reported that Island Air owner Larry Ellison will purchase go! from the Mesa Air Group, under the Island Air branding. The formal announcement is slated for June 28th.

Further information in this Pacific Business Journals article.

Malaysia's 9M-MSE

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MSE today. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473. It will arrive this afternoon, and overnight at HNL.

9M-MSE is the first new-build 737-800 to wear the modified Malaysia Airlines titles like those being worn on their A380 fleet.

China Southern's B-5745

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5745 (c/n 39848, l/n 4498) this morning, and is making its delivery flight as CSN9. It's their third 737-81B within the past eight days, and seen above taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

Malindo's 9M-LNJ

Malindo Air is taking delivery of second 737-9GPER within the past ten days. 9M-LNJ (c/n 38690, l/n 4495) is making its delivery flight as MLO1. It was originally ordered by Lion Air as PK-LLG.

*** 06.20.13 Update ***
As of 0930HST, 9M-LNJ is still sitting on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, in the alleyway fronting Lagoon Drive, with its nose facing Diamond Head. It departed later in the day.

Apology

Aloha HNLRareBirds Fans!

I want to apologize for the delay in posting my photos of the most recent 737 delivery flight posts. I have been able to take the photos, but photo editing time has been cut down a bare minimum with my work & business schedules. I will do my best to get those photos uploaded soon.

Mahalo,

BlueWave707

Xiamen's B-5788

Today, Xiamen Air is taking delivery of their second 737-85C this month. B-5788 (c/n 38382, l/n 4497) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5788.

Aloha ‘Oe Pacific Wings

Pacific Wings shut down its Hawai‘i operations today. The Kahului-based airline decided to close its doors here to concentrate efforts on its Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts on the mainland.

With Pacific Wings gone, this leaves MUE without scheduled passenger flights.

China Southern's B-5743

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B within the past three days. B-5743 fc/n 39847, l/n 4492) is making its delivery flight from BFI today, as CSN3, and seen above taxiing to its parking spot.

Shandong's B-5781

Today, Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-85N in as many days. B-5781 (c/n 39332, l/n 4491) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5781. It seen above departing for MAJ from Runway 8R.

Shenzhen's B-5737

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5737 (c/n 39133, l/n 4488) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight as CSZ903.

Qantas' VH-TJJ

Another 737-476 from Qantas heads to the deserts of Mojave. VH-TJJ "Heron" (c/n 24435, l/n 1959) is seen after its inbound leg from Apia (NSFA/APW), Samoa as QFA6027.

Heron was delivered in December 1990 to Australian Airlines where it flew until the airline was bought out by Qantas in 1993.

Garuda's PK-GFV

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in the past six days with PK-GFV (c/n 38885, l/n 4490). The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight as GIA8011. It's second leg will take PK-GFV to PNI.


*** 06.14.13 Update ***
PK-GFV has stayed back at HNL, due to some kind of an issue, and should resume its delivery flight today.

China Southern's B-5747

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5747 (c/n 38961, l/n 4485) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight as CSN7.

Shandong's B-5782

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5782 (c/n 39111, l/n 4486) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5782.

Third ATR-72 Flying For Island Air

A third ATR-72-212, N425MJ (msn 425), is now flying for Island Air. This aircraft is all-white with a small Island Air decal on the front half. I'm surprised at the lack of a logo decal on this aircraft. According to the FAA registry, this aircraft is owned by Island Air.

N425MJ was originally delivered to American Eagle in 1994.

Malindo's 9M-LNH

Malindo Air is taking delivery of 9M-LNH (c/n 38732, l/n 4484) tonight. The 737-9GPER is making is flight from BFI as MLO1, and will stay at HNL for a brief fuel stop before heading off to MAJ.

The past few Lion Air Group delivery flights have been making late night delivery flights from BFI, instead of the normal daytime flights.

RNZAF C-130H

A C-130H of the Royal New Zealand Air Force has been stuck in Hawaii for the past few days due to a mechanical issue in its #1 engine. NZ7001 (c/n 382-4052) is seen above in the mid-afternoon sun on the South Ramp.

Korean Air's HL8222

Korean Air's 737-7B5 BBJ, HL8222 (c/n 37660, l/n 2997), is making a stop at HNL from JFK as KAL964P. The flight originated from CMN (Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca, Morocco).

This BBJ was also photographed on its delivery flight stopover in July 2010.

*** 06.09.13 Update ***
KAL964P left for GMP today.

Lucky Air's B-5806

Lucky Air is taking delivery of B-5806 (c/n 39200, l/n 4483) today. This 737-79P is making its delivery flight from BFI as B5806, and is seen above on the AirService Hawaii ramp.

Garuda's PK-GFU

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GFU (c/n 38040, l/n 4482) today. This GECAS-leased 737-86N is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011. PK-GFU is seen above taxiing out to depart for PNI.

Qantas' VH-XZG

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-XZG "Bungendore" (c/n 39371, l/n 4477) today. This 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI as QFA6024.

Xiamen's B-5750

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-5750 (c/n 38380, l/n 4475) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5750. B-5750 is seen above taxiing to Runway 8R for departure to MAJ.

Alaska's "Spirit Of The Islands"

Alaska Airlines is debuting their Hawaii-themed "Spirit Of The Islands" 737-890 today, with a flight from SEA as ASA851. The special livery was designed by Kaiser High School student Aaron Nee, and will be a guest (along with his family) on the return flight to SEA, ASA856. N560AS (c/n 35179, l/n 2072), delivered to Alaska in September 1996, is the 737-890 selected to be adorned with this special livery.

More information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Mahalo to Alaska Airlines for the photo.


Due to a failure with our previous email provider, we only received the media invite this morning, instead of the day it was sent out. Hence, we were unable to attend today's event. Our email address has since changed.

Japan Airlines' JA8184

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes to July 2005, with this JAL Reso'cha liveried 747-346 pictured at Gate 28.

JA8184 (c/n 23968, l/n 693) was delivered to Japan Airlines in January 1988, and served with JAL until November 2008. It wore the gamut of JAL liveries: the 1970s cheatlined Tsuru; the 1990s Landor; the Reso'cha livery (above); and the 2000s "Arc of the Sun" livery. It went to Max Air (Nigeria) [--/---] in November 2008, as 5N-DBM, where it currently flies.

May 2013 Deliveries

These were the 16 737NG delivery flights that stopped through HNL in May 2013:
4439 | B-5749 | 41303 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [05.04.13 CSN916]
4441 | PK-LBM | 38689 | Batik Airlines | -9GPER [05.04.13 PKLBM]
4443 | B-5738 | 38930 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [05.07.13 CSN738]
4449 | 9M-MSD | 40146 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [05.09.13 MAS5473]
4450 | VH-XZF | 39370 | Qantas Airways | -838 "Cygnet" [05.10.13 QFA6024]
4014 | IN321/N521DS | 40611 | Indian Navy | -8FV (P-8I) [05.11.13 BOE202]
4453 | PK-GFX | 39928 | Garuda Indonesia | -8FX [05.13.13 GIA8011]
4447 | B-5805 | 39199 | Lucky Air (HNA Group) | -74P [05.14.13 B5805]
4454 | B-5742 | 38946 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [05.14.13 CSN805]
4456 | VH-YFN | 41009 | Virgin Australia Airlines | -8FE [05.16.13 VOZ9398 - LIH]
4461 | B-5752 | 38404 | Xiamen Airlines | -85C [05.21.13 CXA5752]
4460 | JA73NT | 41264 | Skymark Airlines | -86N [05.23.13 SKY73NT]
4464 | B-5741 | 38945 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [05.24.13 CSN481]
4466 | B-5728 | 40020 | Shandong Airlines | -89L [05.24.13 CDG5728]
4463 | PK-LBO | 38731 | Batik Airlines | -9GPER [05.25.13 BTK1]
4470 | B-5736 | 39132 | Shenzhen Airlines | -87L [05.29.13 CSZ901]

-700: 1
-800: 13
-900ER: 2

China: 8
Indonesia: 3
Australia: 2
Japan: 1
India: 1
Malaysia: 1