NAC's N361NC

Northern Air Cargo (NAC), Aloha Air Cargo's sister company is ferrying N361NC (c/n 23260, l/n 1146), a 737-301SF to assist with AAH's operations.

23260 was originally delivered to Piedmont Airlines as N309P in September 1985. When US Air acquired Piedmont, it was transferred and re-registered as N582US. In March 1995, 23260 was sold to GECAS, then leased to America West. It wore both the original blue stripe livery and the teal and red Southwestwern-style livery. In December 2006, 23260 was converted into a freighter, and leased to TNT Airways as OO-TNJ. In March 2011, it was leased to Blue Bird Cargo as TF-BBI. In June 2012, it was leased to NAC as N361NC.

M-SFAM

A VIP-configured MD-87, M-SFAM (c/n 53042, l/n 1969), owned by Montavachi Limited, has been on HNL's South Ramp since December 23rd. The Isle of Man-registered airliner is heading out to OGG today.

53042 was originally delivered to Japan Air System [JD/JAS] in March 1992 as JA8373. When Japan Airlines acquired JAS in April 2004, it was transferred to the Japan Airlines fleet. It was supposed to go to Orient Thai Airlines [OX/OEA] as HS-MSA, but was not taken up. In February 2008, 53042 was acquired by Aircraft and Engine Support LLC, as N870SG, and stored at GYR. During that time, it received a VIP cabin configuration. Montavachi Ltd acquired 53042 in March 2012.

Mele Kalikimaka

The HNL RareBirds team wish all of our friends, fans and readers a very Merry Christmas!

China Southern's B-2927

China Southern Airlines is sending B-2927 (c/n 27290, l/n 2595), a 737-31B, to MZJ for storage as CSN2002. The ferry flight originated from LAO, and made stops at GUM, MAJ, HNL, and OAK.

B-2927 was delivered to China Southern in March 1994, under lease from ALC. The 19-year-old 737 is now being returned as the lease has expired.

TransAir's N737CS

TransAir has taken delivery of N737CS (c/n 23272, l/n 1093), a 737-2T4C/Adv, and is their second 737-200C. It arrived last week Thursday from BKI [Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia] via GUM and MAJ.

23272 was originally delivered to the CAAC as B-2506 in March 1985. When Air China was formed out of the CAAC in 1988, it was transferred into its fleet. In April 1995, it went to Air Great Wall [CGW]. In October 2002, it went to China Eastern Airlines. In June 2004, it went to Blue Dart Aviation [BZ/BDA] (India) as VT-BDI, and was converted into a freighter. In May 2013, it was acquired by CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing. Trans Air acquired N737CS in October 2013.

Spring Airlines Japan's JA02GR

Spring Airlines Japan is taking delivery of their second 737-800 today with JA02GR (c/n 41256, l/n 4714). The GECAS-leased 737-86N is making its delivery flight from BFI as JA02GR, and will overnight at HNL.

Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl Charters

This year's Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl features the Boise State Broncos against the Oregon State Beavers. The collegiate football game will be played on Christmas Eve, at 1500HST, at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.

The Broncos arrive this afternoon from BOI on an Omni Air International 767-300 team charter, OAE208.

The Beavers also arrive this afternoon from PDX on an Atlas Air 767-300 team charter, GTI8071.

Malaysia's 9M-MXP

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MXP (c/n 40153, l/n 4723) this afternoon. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL.\

Air China's B-5851

Air China is taking delivery of B-5851 (c/n 41313, l/n 4725) this morning. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-1907

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1907 (c/n 39730, l/n 4721) today. The Yunnan Peacock-clad 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES599, and will overnight at HNL.

Batik's PK-LBJ

Batik Air took delivery of PK-LBJ (c/n 38742, l/n 4726) early this morning. The 737-9GPER made its overnight delivery flight from BFI as BTK1. It made a brief fuel stop in the early morning at HNL.

Westjet's Annual 757 Service

For the third year in a row, Westjet has leased 757-200s from Thomas Cook to supplement its flights to Hawaii from Calgary [YYC] and Edmonton [YEG]. Seen above is G-FCLJ (c/n 26160, l/n 555) operating as WJA3008/3009 from YYC.

Makani Kai's N687MA Ditches Near LUP

N687MA (msn 208B1002), one of the two Makani Kai Air's Cessna C208B Grand Caravans ditched in the waters a half-mile from LUP around 15:45HST. According to news reports, one of the eight passengers died. Some passengers were rescued by the Maui Fire Department, and the US Coast Guard also rescued some of the passengers. One of those on board, swam back to shore. The Grand Caravan went down shortly after take-off from LUP. The passenger that perished in the crash was Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy.

Continuing coverage in this Hawai‘i News Now article.

Our condolences go out to Ms Fuddy's family, and thoughts and prayers go out to the crash survivors.

The above photo was taken in late October 2013.

Garuda's PK-GNC

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GNC (c/n 41312, l/n 4720) today. The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011. It will overnight at HNL, before departing for PNI tomorrow.

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

Hainan's B-5855

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5855 (c/n 39206, l/n 4716) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as B5855, and will overnight at HNL.

Qantas' VH-ZXE

Qantas Airways is ferrying VH-ZXE (c/n 24343, l/n 364), a 767-336ER from SYD to MCI (via HNL) as QFA6023.

24343 was originally delivered to British Airways as G-BNWK in April 1991. It was acquired by Qantas in December 2000.

American and US Airways Merger Complete

The merger between American Airlines and US Airways has been completed. For the time being, the two carriers will operate separately while the two airlines applies for a Single Operating Certificate, which could take up to two years. 

In March 2014, US Airways will leave the Star Alliance, and join the oneworld alliance.

Further information in this American Airlines press release.


It appears that the current AAL and AWE flights to/from Hawai‘i will remain unchanged for the time being. We will see what changes will happen when the Single Operating Certificate is obtained.

Qantas' VH-TJR

Qantas Airways is ferrying VH-TJR "Cockatiel" (c/n 24443, l/n 2398), a 737-476, from MEL to VCV for storage as QFA6027. It made stops at SYD, APW, and HNL, along the way.

VH-TJR was originally delivered to Australian Airlines in November 1992, and absorbed into the Qantas fleet a year later, after the latter acquired the former carrier. 

Shandong's B-5856

Shandong Airlines' newest 737-89L arrived this morning as CDG5856 from Boeing Field. B-5856 (c/n 40040, l/n 4712) wears a special livery to commemorate the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition. 

Batik's PK-LBI

Batik Air is taking delivery of PK-LBI (c/n 38743, l/n 4711) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as BKI1, and will make its brief fuel stop at HNL.

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

N223CY

Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM) [Orlando, FL] is ferrying N233CY (c/n 26256, l/n 484), their newest 767-300F from SIN to GYR, via HNL. The 767-39HER(BCF) recently underwent freighter conversion at Paya Labar, Singapore. It's under lease to CAM from Guggenheim Aviation Partners.

26256 was originally purchased by ILFC, and leased to Leisure International Airways [MV/LEI] in March 19943 as G-UKLH. In November 1998, it was transferred to Air 2000 [DP/AMM] as G-OOAN. It then was leased to First Choice Airways [DP/FCA] in March 2004, and operated by Thomsonfly. In March 2004, Thomson Airways assumed the lease. In April 2013, Guggenheim acquired 26256 from ILFC, and had it sent in for freighter conversion.

CAM supplies 767-200F and 767-300F to a variety of cargo airlines in the US, Canada, and South America.

Xiamen's B-5847

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-5847 (c/n 41793, l/n 4709) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5847, and will overnight at HNL.

We were unable to get a photo of B-5847 at HNL, but Rick Schlamp did at BFI.

Shanghai's B-1900

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1900 (c/n 39306, l/n 4707) today. The 737-86D is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH572, and will overnight at HNL.

We were not able to get a photo of B-1900 at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 did at BFI.

Qantas' VH-VZK

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-VZK "Cook" (c/n 39366, l/n 4705) today. The 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI as QFA6024, and will overnight at HNL.

We were unable to get a photo of VH-VZK at HNL, but Rick Schlamp got one at BFI.

Hawaiian Adds Fourth Flight To BNE

With the overwhelming success of their HNL-BNE service, Hawaiian Airlines is upgrading to four weekly flights, which will add an additional 20,000 seats annually.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Shenzhen's B-5860

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5860 (c/n 39139, l/n 4703) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ969, and will overnight at HNL to complete its first segment.

Hawaiian Begins A330 Service From Maui

Today, Hawaiian Airlines inaugurates it's first Airbus A330-243 service from Maui. The A330 will now be used for Seattle flights 29/30, replacing Boeing 767-300s.

Shown is ship N385HA (s/n 1295) "Manaiakalani" arriving OGG from HNL on a ferry flight today. Notice the closed window shades.

We would have liked to have gotten a picture of today's historic takeoff, but had to come home and mow the lawn.

Lightning Strikes Four Hawaiian Air Jetliners

Four Hawaiian Airlines aircraft suffered lightning strikes during yesterday's rain storms. One of their 767-300s, and three 717-200s were struck during the course of the storm cell that hovered over the Hawaiian Islands. Thankfully, no one was injured, but two of the 717-200s suffered minor damage, and were pulled from the line, causing flight delays.

Further details in this Civil Beat article. Mahalo to team member Funbird2006 for sharing the article.

Malaysia's 9M-MPL

Malaysia Airlines ferried 9M-MPL "Penang" (c/n 28428, l/n 1150) to VCV, to be put into storage. The 747-4H6 flew from KUL to VCV, with a stop at HNL as MAS5446. 9M-MPL was delivered to Malaysia Airlines in March 1998.

Chang An's B-5115

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to February 2005, with the delivery flight HNL stopover of Chang An Airlines' B-5115 (c/n 29640, l/n 1649), a 737-8FH. Itʻs seen above on the Bradley Pacific Aviation ramp, with the original Hainan Air Group livery.

B-5115 was delivered to Chang An Airlines under lease from RBS in February 2005, then sold to SMBC in June 2012, while still leased to the airline. In the second half of 2011, it was painted into the 2007 red and yellow livery.

November 2013 Deliveries

Here were the 12 737NG deliveries that stopped through Hawai‘i in November 2013:
4680 | B-1910 | 39932 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P [11.08.13 CES599]
4677 | B-5809 | 39729 | China Eastern Airlines | -79P* [11.08.13 CES299]
4679 | PK-LOF | 38741 | Lion Air | -9GPER* [11.08.13 LNI1]
4669 | VH-XZJ | 39365 | Qantas Airways | -838* [11.09.13 QFA6024]
4678 | B-5853 | 39205 | Hainan Airlines | -84P [11.09.13 B5853 - LIH]
4681 | B-1909 | 40022 | Air China | -89L [11.09.13 CCA78]
4685 | 9M-MSJ | 40152 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [11.12.13 MAS5473]
4684 | B-5858 | 39887 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P[11.13.13 CES599]
4688 | B-5688 | 41792 | Xiamen Air | -85C* [11.13.13 CXA5688]
4689 | B-5850 | 41311 | Dalian Airlines | -89L [11.15.13 CCA78]
4692 | PK-GNA | 41310 | Garuda Indonesia | -8U3 [11.15.13 GIA8011]
4687 | PK-LKZ | 38740 | Lion Air | -8GP [11.15.13 PKLKZ]
4694 | B-5857 | 39886 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P[11.20.13 CES599]
4695 | B-5859 | 39138 | Shenzhen Airlines | -87L [11.21.13 CSZ903]

-700: 1
-800: 12
-900ER: 1

Australia: 1
China: 9
Indonesia: 3
Japan: 0
Malaysia: 1