N799AL Hand Over Ceremony

Air Transport International participated in a hand-over ceremony, in which their former N799AL, was formally handed over to the Naval Air Museum at Barbers Point. The Kalaeloa Airport-based museum hosted the event which was attended by Hawai‘i Governor Neil Abercrombie, Pat Rodgers (relative of John Rodgers, whom the airport's field is named after), ATI's Lance Houser, and a few dozen invited guests.

Photos and more information to follow ...

N59630

N59630 (c/n 27534, l/n 2726) is making a stop through JRF, as it makes its ferry flight from GYR to CGK, to join the Sriwijaya Air fleet.

N59630 was originally delivered to Continental Airlines (f/n 630) in May 1995 under lease from GECAS. It was transferred to the United Airlines fleet after the 2010 merger was completed (f/n 0630). It was withdrawn from the United fleet in May 2013.

China Eastern's B-5795

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5795 (c/n 41305, l/n 4587) this morning. The orange Yunnan Peacock-liveried 737-89P is making its delivery flight as CES599, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above on the AirService Hawaii ramp, a couple of hours after arriving.

USC Football Team Charters Hawaiian 767-300ER

The University of Southern California Trojans football team, marching band, and cheer squad chartered  a Hawaiian Airlines 767-300ER for their game this afternoon against the University of Hawai‘i Warriors. N590HA [above] was used for the return leg to LAX, as HAL702 (and HAL701 as the ferry flight to HNL).

Shanghai's B-5833

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5833 (c/n 37908, l/n 4586) this morning. The 737-86D is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH533, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, taxiing out for departure to PNI, on Taxiway RT.

Hainan's B-5797

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5797 (c/n 39202, l/n 4584) this morning. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight as B5797, and will overnight at HNL.

Lion's PK-LKV

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LKV (c/n 38735, l/n 4583) this morning. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop at HNL. This is their 90th 737NG delivered to Lion, and is marked with a special purple and white tail logo to commemorate the accomplishment. PK-LKV is seen above, on Taxiway C, shortly after arriving from BFI.

China Southern's B-5767

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B in as many days. B-5767 (c/n 38959, l/n 4576), is making its delivery flight from BFI this morning as CSN67, and will overnight at HNL. This is also their third 737-81B this month. It's seen above, on Taxiway C, after arriving from BFI.

China United's B-5838

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5838 (c/n 40953, l/n 4575) this morning. The 737-89P, originally ordered by China Eastern (and leased from Avolon), is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA838, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, being prepped for its next leg to PNI.

China Southern's B-5768

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B within the past 12 days. B-5767 (c/n 38960, l/n 4585) is making its delivery flight from BFI this morning as CSN830, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above taxiing out for departure to PNI.

Shandong's B-5758

This morning, Shandong Airlines is taking delivery their third 737-800 this month. B-5758 (c/n 40044, l/n 4581), a 737-89L, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5758, and will overnight at HNL. It was originally ordered by parent company, Air China, but was allocated to Shandong.

Garuda's PK-GMZ

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GMZ (c/n 38072, l/n 4582) this morning. The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above on the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp.

Lion Air's PK-LKW

Lion Airlines is taking delivery PK-LKW (c/n 38734, l/n 4578). The 737-8GP made a fuel stop at HNL in the early hours this morning, arriving from BFI as LNI1. It left a few hours after for PNI.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-LKW at HNL.

China Southern's B-2931

China Southern Airlines is ferrying B-2931 (c/n 27276, l/n 2567), a 737-31L, to MZJ, and is flying as CSN2002. The flight originated from LAO, and made stops at GUM, MAJ, HNL, and OAK.

27276 was originally delivered under lease from ALC to China Xinjiang Airlines in January 1994, and integrated into the China Southern fleet, when the former was merged with the latter.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-2931 at HNL.

Malaysia's 9M-MSG

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MSG (c/n 40149, l/n 4574) today. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, on Taxiway RT, to depart for PNI.

N62631

Here's an interesting one ... a JRF RareBird!

A former United Airlines 737-524, N62631 (c/n 27535, l/n 2728, f/n 0631), is made an overnight stop at JRF, instead of HNL. FlightAware shows that the 737, bound for Sriwijaya Airlines, arrived from ONT last evening, and departs for TRW (Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati) this morning. The ferry flight originated in GYR, and will terminate at CGK (via ONT, JRF, TRW, and BIK).

N62631 was originally delivered to Continental Airlines with the f/n 631, in June 1995. Blended Winglets were installed in December 2008. It was withdrawn from service in May 2013.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of N62631 at JRF.

China Eastern's B-5807

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of their fourth peacock-clad 737-79P. B-5807 (c/n 39727, l/n 4577) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES599, and will overnight at HNL. This is China Eastern's third Yunnan Peacock-themed 737-79P with the base color as orange. Tomorrow, CES599 will make its next stop at PNI, instead of MAJ.

Construction Begins At HNL

The ‘Ewa side of HNL is undergoing extensive renovation with the construction of the new Aloha Air Cargo facility, new employee parking lot, and the relocation of the Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Air Cargo maintenance base. All this will take place to prepare for the Mauka Extension of the Inter-Island Terminal.

Further information in this Hawai‘i Department of Transportation press release.

N807DH

Nearly half a century old, this DC-8-73CF if still going strong. N807DH (c/n 45990, l/n 375) arrived from Victorville, CA this afternoon. This DC-8-73CF is one of two recently acquired by Skybus Jet Cargo, a new start-up cargo carrier based out of Las Vegas, Nevada.

45990 was originally delivered as a DC-8-63CF (powered by 4 Pratt and Whitney JT3D-7s) , to Flying Tiger Line in July '68, as N780FT. In June '77, it then was acquired by Cargolux Airlines International and re-registered as TF-CCV. In April, '83, it was leased to Air India and was returned in November of the same year. Evergreen International was the next carrier to lease 45990 in January '84 and was bought by Evergreen International in July of the same year. The following January, Evergreen International had it's registration changed from TF-CCV to N816EV, and was modified to become a DC-8-73CF (powered by 4 CFM56-2C1s). Air India leased 45990 again in July '85 - May '86 and January - November '88. It was then leased from Evergreen to TNT Airways in July '92 - March '94. UPS then leased it in April '94 and three months later it became N816UP. Sometime during the lease with UPS, 45990 was purchased by DHL Worldwide Express and became N807DH in June '96. In June '03, 45990 went to Astar Air Cargo and operated on the behalf of DHL Worldwide Express until their contract was terminated in June '12. It was sent to Kingman, Arizona for storage soon after. In January '13, it was bought by Aerotradex and sold to Transpacific Heavylift Inc. three months later. The connection between Transpacific Heavylift and Skybus Jet Cargo is unclear at the time of this posting.

Shandong's B-5785

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of their second consecutive special liveried 737-85N this morning. B-5785 (c/n 39113, l/n 4569) has a red design below the tail, and Chinese writings on the fuselage. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5785, and will overnight at BFI. One of the logos has the letters DEEJ under it.

Hawaiian A330 Visits Maui

Today a Hawaiian Airlines A330 arrived OGG from HNL operating as HA8034.

The aircraft departed as HA34 to LAX; a flight normally operated by a 763.

Maui has yet to have scheduled service to anywhere using the A330. So today's aircraft substitution was an "unofficial" inaugural flight.

China Southern's B-5766

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5766 (c/n 38951, l/n 4570) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN576, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-5792

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of their second 737-85C this month, and within the past eight days. B-5792 (c/n 41790, l/n 4568) is making its delivery flight as CXA5792, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen's B-5773

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-87L this month, and within the past eleven days. B-5773 (c/n 39156, l/n 4566) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ909, and will overnight at HNL.

DoJ Seeks To Block AA/US Merger

In a 180º turn from past large airline mergers, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) seeks to block the merger between American Airlines and US Airways via lawsuit, due to anti-trust concerns. The DoJ had not intervened in the most recent large mergers that included the United / Continental, Delta / Northwest, and Southwest / airTran mergers. The American / US Airways merger is due to be completed next month, but with this lawsuit, the completion has been put in a holding pattern.

Further information in this NYC Aviation report.

Qantas' VH-ZXC

Qantas Airways is ferrying another of their 767-336ERs to VCV for storage. The RB211-powered VH-ZXC (c/n 24339, l/n 298) has stopped over in HNL from SYD as QFA6027.

24339 was originally delivered to British Airways as G-BNWG, named "City of Strasbourg", in July 1990.  Qantas then leased it in June 2000 until it operated it's final revenue service for Qantas in July 2013.

Aloha Air Cargo's N320DL

It appears that Aloha Air Cargo has acquired via lease(?), N320DL "Na Kōlea" (c/n 23092, l/n 1023), from sister-company Northern Air Cargo. The 737-232F had recently been in storage, and made its ferry flight from TUS, via OAK, as AAH321. Itʻs seen above, in full operation as AAH20.

Shanghai's B-5799

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5799 (c/n 39304, l/n 4557) this morning. The 737-86D is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH799, and will overnight at HNL.

Qantas' A330-303 VH-QPI

Qantas substituted their usual 767-338 aircraft with VH-QPI "Cairns" (msn 705), an A330-303, today operating as QFA003/004 [SYD/HNL/SYD]. This was a one time aircraft substitution due to the higher summer loads. We may see more of Qantas' A330 in the future as Qantas continues to retire their 767 fleet.

Photo above is QPI taxing in to gate 33 this morning.

Okay Air's B-5843

Okay Airways is taking delivery of B-5843 (c/n 38042, l/n 4565) this evening. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as OKA5843, and will overnight at HNL.

TransAir's N306AL

TransAir's 737-2T4C, N306AL (c/n 23066, l/n 992), has finally come home after spending the last year and a half in Ohio flying Rhoades Aviation. Southern Cross Aviation handled the trans-Pacific ferry flight from OAK.

Allegiant Flight Emergency Return To HNL

This morning, Allegiant Air flight AAY1056 [HNL-BLI], returned to HNL after experiencing a hydraulic fluid warning. It declared an in-flight emergency, and routed to land on Runway 8R. ARFF trucks from HNL ARFF Station 2, and a truck from HIK's ARFF responded to the call-out, and staged along Taxiway RA. The 757-204, N903NV (c/n 26966, l/n 520), landed without incident, with crash trucks in trail down Taxiway RA and Runway 8R (top photo). After coming to a stop on Taxiway RG, the flight crew radioed that they did not need ARFF assistance, as the trucks neared the aircraft.. However, according radio transmissions, firefighters found a hydraulic fluid leak on the underside of the 757. A tug from Bradley Pacific Aviation towed N903NV to Gate 17 with its passengers still on-board, with an ARFF truck following. AAY1056 departed again for BLI, later in the afternoon. Below, is the flight map from FlightAware.

Shandong's B-5786

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5786 (c/n 39127, l/n 4556) this morning as well. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight as CDG5786, as will also overnight at HNL. B-5786 has been painted in a special livery to commemorate the Tenth China Art Festival.

Xiamen's B-5791

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5791 (c/n 39930, l/n 4555) this morning. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5791, and will overnight at HNL.

N951LF

An A320-233 of the now-defunct Batavia Air arrived from CGK [Soekarno-Hatta International, Indonesia] via GUM this past Saturday. N951LF (c/n 460) is currently being returned to it's lessor ACG,  on the mainland.

460 was originally purchased by ILFC, then leased to TACA, and sub-leased to LACSA in March, 1994 as N951LF. During it's time with LACSA, 460 was sold to First Security Bank Utah, then to the Aviation Capital Group (ACG). It then was leased to Ryan International in June, 2002, which was then wet-leased it to airTran in November, 2003. In January, 2005, 460 was then leased to Atlas Jet in Istanbul, Turkey and re-registered as TC-OGK. In December, 2007 it was leased out by Atlas Jet to Saudi Arabian Airlines till the lease ran out a year later. In September, 2009 it was stored until it was leased by Batavia Air in February, 2010 and was re-registered as PK-YUC. On January 31, 2013 with debt owed to ACG, Batavia Air was shut down. PK-YUC became N951LF once again, and is now making its way back to the U.S. Mainland.

While flying with airTran, 460 lost its left engine cowling in flight after takeoff from Atlanta and made an emergency landing from its point of origin.


08.06.13 Update
N951LF is scheduled to depart for VCV late this morning.

Shenzhen's B-5771

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-87L within the past three days. B-5771 (c/n 39134, l/n 4550) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ906, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen's B-5772

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5772 (c/n 39135, l/n 4554) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ908, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5772 at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it BFI.

Alaska Partners With Local Conservancy

Alaska Airlines and The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i have formed a partnership to restore near-shore coral reefs in Kāneʻohe Bay, with a pledge of $300,000.

Further details in this Alaska Airlines press release.

July 2013 Deliveries

Here are the 18 737NG deliveries that stopped through Hawai‘i in July 2013:
4512 | 9M-MSF | 40148 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [07.01.13 MAS5473]
4517 | PK-LKT | 38733 | Lion Airlines | -8GP [07.03.13 LNI1]
4521 | VH-XZH | 39372 | Qantas Airways | -838 [07.08.13 QFA6024]
4522 | B-5783 | 39112 | Shandong Airlines | -85N [07.09.13 CDG5783]
4519 | B-5288 | 39201 | Hainan Airlines | -74P [07.09.13 B5288]
4520 | PK-GFW | 39929 | Garuda Indonesia | -8U3 [07.11.13 GIA8011]
4527 | B-5761 | 38958 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [07.12.13 CSN61]
4525 | B-5789 | 38401 | Xiamen Air | -85C [07.12.13 CXA5789]
4526 | JA807X | 39431 | Solaseed Airlines | -81D [07.12.13 SNJ807X]
4532 | B-5841 | 41789 | Okay Airways | -8Q8 [07.15.13 OKA5841]
4533 | B-5760 | 38957 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [07.17.13 CSN76]
4536 | B-5839 | 40952 | China United Airlines | -89P [07.18.13 CUA839]
4537 | B-5790 | 38402 | Xiamen Air | -85C [07.19.13 CXA5790]
4542 | B-5757 | 40039 | Shandong Airlines | -89L [07.24.13 CDG5757]
4541 | B-5759 | 38949 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [07.24.13 CSN759]
4543 | VH-YFR | 41012 | Virgin Australia Airlines | -8FE [07.24.13 VOZ9506 - LIH]
4545 | B-5832 | 37907 | Shanghai Airlines | -86D [07.25.13 CSH532]
4548 | B-5762 | 38950 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [07.30.13 CSN62]

-700: 1
-800: 17

China: 12
Australia: 2
Indonesia: 2
Japan: 1
Malaysia: 1

Air Canada's C-GDSY

Our August edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Air Canada's 767-233ER, C-GDSY (c/n 24145, l/n 236, f/n 616), that was photographed on Taxiway RT in January 2005, following a rain shower band that swept over HNL. It's pictured above, taxiing on Taxiway RT to Runway 26L, to depart for YVR as ACA44.

C-GDSY was delivered to Air Canada in September 1988 in the twin-red stripe livery. It was then painted into the livery above, in the mid-90s. It received the current pastel green livery in late 2006. Air Canada put C-GDSY in storage in October 2008, at ROW. In May 2012, PMC Aviation 2012-1 LLC (Los Angeles, CA) purchased this 767-233ER from Air Canada, and registered it as N770JM. It was purchased by Jet Midwest Group LLC (Kansas City, MO), and recently flown to MCI [Kansas City International Airport, MO] in April 2013. The company specializes in aircraft parts sales, so it is possible that this airframe will either be leased out, or be parted out and scrapped.