RIMPAC 2014

RIMPAC 2014 has officially started! This is the 24th running of the biennial here in Hawai‘i. The exercise that began on the 26th of this month and will run until August 1. The U.S. Pacific Fleet Command will host 22 Nations, 55 naval vessels, and 200+ aircraft here in Hawai‘i for the largest maritime exercise in the world. (For a list of participants, click here).

American Decides To Put New Livery on 757s

American Airlines announced that they will paint 757-200s from both the American and US Airways fleets into the new American livery. It had been previously reported that the 757-200s, like American's MD-80s, would be phased out. But the carrier changed their mind, as it appears the 757-200s will remain in the fleet longer than intentioned. The US Airways 757-200s will be the first ones to be re-painted.

Regarding Hawai‘i, American uses their 757-223s for all of their flights to/from LAX, and US Airways uses their 757-2B7s for all of their flights to/from PHX.

Further details in this World Airline News report.


Editorial Note
It's not certain if the US Airways A320 legacy liveries will disappear. The American retro liveries on the 737-823 and 757-223, will probably be the last to be repainted. Considering the amount of airlines that has formed American Airlines, it would be nice to see full retro liveries, with an "Operated by American Airlines" decal by the L1 and R1 doors.

US Airways was formed out of mergers with America West Airlines, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), Piedmont Airlines, and Allegheny Airlines. It would be great to see those liveries live on, even the older PSA and AWE liveries, as well as the multi-red US Air livery on the A320 fleet.

American formed out of mergers with Trans World Airlines (TWA), Air California (later AirCal), and Reno Air. It would be great to see a 767-300 and 757-200 in TWA liveries, and AirCal and Reno Air liveries on 737-800s.

Shanghai's B-2631

Shanghai Airlines is returning B-2631 (c/n 28212, l/n 35) to ILFC, with a ferry flight as CSH2631, and is wearing an all-white livery. The flight is routed from PVG to TUS, with stops at SPN, MAJ, and HNL.

The 737-7Q8 was originally delivered to Shanghai in April 1998. It received the current 2007 livery sometime in late 2011 or early 2012.

Hawaiian's N373HA

Earlier this month, Hawaiian took delivery of its 18th A330-243. N373HA (c/n 1530) is named Kūkalani‘ehu, after the constellation Aries. The delivery flight from TLS arrived at SEA, on June 17th, as HAL9975.

On a side-note, the registration N371HA belongs to a privately owned Bombardier Challenger 300. Searches for N372HA shows it once belonged to a Shorts 330 that flew with Hawaiian back in 1979.

Garuda's PK-GNJ

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their third 737-800 within the past twelve days, this morning. PK-GNJ (c/n 40967, l/n 4969), a 737-7U3, is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto KSA.

Malaysia's 9M-MXV

Today, Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-8H6 this month. 9M-MXV (c/n 40159, l/n 4964) is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL.

Aloha Air Cargo's N841AL To Leave The Fleet

With the addition of its first of two 737-330SFs' to Aloha Air Cargo's fleet, N841AL (c/n 23123, l/n 1042) has been withdrawn from use after 8 years of flying in the Hawaiian skies.

This 737-2X6C was delivered new to MarkAir in August, 1984 as N672MA. It then went to code-share turned competitor, Alaska Airlines in April 1994 as N746AS. Flying with Alaska Airlines for 14 years, it was sold to BCI Leasing in January, 2007. In May of the same year, it was leased to Aloha Airlines, and had its registration changed to N841AL a few months later (below). After the shut down of Aloha Airlines in March 2008, it was one of the few combis' to remain in Hawai‘i to fly with Aloha Air Cargo (bottom).

Garuda's PK-GNH

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GNH (c/n 40547, l/n 4961) this morning. The 737-8U3, leased from Aviation Capital Group, is making its delivery flight as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before heading off to KSA. This Garuda's second 737-800 delivery within the past four days.

UNI Air's B-17911

UNI Airways [B7/UIA], EVA Airways' regional subsidiary, is ferrying one of their five MD-90-30s to the mainland. B-17911 (c/n 53535, l/n 2158) is ferrying from TPE (via GUM, MAJ, HNL, and LAX) to BYH [Arkansas International Airport, Blytheville, AR] as EVA90. Unfortunately, this will be the last flights this MD-90 will make, as it was purchased by Delta Air Lines, but will be used for parts.

B-17911 was delivered to UNI Air in November 1996, and has been with the airlines ever since. Plans are to replace the five MD-90s with A321s and ATR72-600s.

Garuda's PK-GHW

Garuda Indonesia is ferrying PK-GHW (c/n 25039, l/n 2007) to the mainland as GIA8001. The 737-3M8 is routed from CGK to GYR (via CEB, GUM, MAJ, HNL, and VNY). As seen above, most of the livery has been whited-out, except for the rudder, which has the old 1990s livery.

25039 was originally delivered to Trans European Airlines (Belgium) [HE/TEA] as OO-LTJ in March 1991, until the airline ceased operations eight months later. During that time is was leased to TEA Switzerland from May to October. In March 1992, OO-LTJ became part of EuroBelgian Airlines [BQ/EBA], and was assigned to Air Provence Charters [LPU]. In November 1996, it was leased to Frontier Airlines [F9/FFT] as N303FL, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest. In December 2004, it was leased to Sundowner LLC, where it was used as a prisoner transport for the US Marshall's Service. In July 2008, it was leased to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GHW.

China Southern's B-1955

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1955 (c/n 39825, l/n 4959) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN19, and will overnight at HNL. This is their third 737-800 delivery within the past 13 days.

Garuda's PK-GNI

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GNI (c/n 41267, l/n 4957) this morning. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto KSA, then CGK.

JAL's JA8981

Japan Airlines is ferrying JA8981 (c/n 27364, l/n 23) today, to GYR for storage, as JAL8131. It made a stop at HNL from HND, on its ferry flight. It was spotted here, in an all-white livery. This was their first 777-246.

Further details on the history of JA8981 from Zipangu Flyer.

Some photos from Japan Airlines' Facebook post. However, the text is in Japanese.

China Eastern Orders 80 737s

China Eastern Airlines announced today, that they are ordering and purchasing 80 737s. The combined total is comprised of both the current 737NG and the new 737MAX models, though no specifics were given as to which variant and its quantity. This order will keep CES 737 deliveries stopping through HNL til at lease 2020.

Further details in this Flightglobal article.

Lion Air's PK-LOV

Lion Air is taking delivery their second 737-8GP this month, with PK-LOV (c/n 39817, l/n 4954). It is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto to CEB, then CGK.

Aloha Air Cargo's Latest Addition

Aloha Air Cargo's newest addition arrived yesterday afternoon (6.12.14) as AHH321 from Oakland International. This 737-330F (c/n 27904, l/n 2691) was originally delivered to Lufthansa in February 1995 as D-ABEU. There, it flew with Lufthansa until it was retired and placed into storage in May 2013. In October of the same year, it was bought by leasing and sales company; Automatic LLC and re-registered as N904JW. In January of this year, it was sent to Miami for freighter conversion. A month later the newly converted frame was acquired by Aloha Air Cargo and had its registration changed to N301KH.

This is not the first time in Aloha's history to be operating "classic" CMF56 powered 737s. Between 1988-1997, they operated a fleet of 737-300s and 737-400s. The short cycles, and quick turn times, of flying passengers between islands proved to be too strenuous for the engines.

A few months ago, Aloha Air Cargo's sister company Northern Air Cargo sent in N361NC, a 737-301SF to help out when AAH was retiring one of their 737-200s. Today, N841AL had its titles painted over, and will probably be heading to the mainland soon. 

‘Ohana To Launch Maui Service

‘Ohana by Hawaiian announced today that they will begin daily ATR42 service from OGG to MKK, KOA, and ITO, that will launch this July.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Shanghai's B-1967

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1967 (c/n 39309, l/n 4948)  this morning. The 737-86D is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH574, and will overnight at HNL.

Sun Country's N819SY

Sun Country Airlines has leased N819SY (c/n 34254, l/n 1897) from ALC, and is taking delivery of it on a ferry flight from TNA to MSP (via ANC).

What's the tie-in? Back in March 2006, this 737-86N was originally delivered to Shanghai Airlines as B-5148, under lease from GECAS. In 2011, GECAS sold it to ALC, with the lease transferred.

China Southern's B-1953

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery B-1953 (c/n 41320, l/n 4946) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN53, and will overnight at HNL. This is their second 737-800 delivery flight within the past five days.

China Eastern's B-5822

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5822 (c/n 39735, l/n 4937) today. The Yunnan Peacock-liveried 737-79P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES299, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-1915

Xiamen AIr is taking delivery of B-1915 (c/n 39901, l/n 4945) today. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA1915, and will overnight at HNL.

Lucky Air's B-5825

Lucky Air is taking delivery of B-5825 (c/n 39212, l/n 4940) today. The 737-74P is making its delivery flight from BFI as HNL, and will overnight at HNL.

Sunrider Corporation's N168CF

Sunrider Corporation's MD-87 is back in town. N168CF (c/n 49670) has been seen here almost yearly.

China Southern's B-1925

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1925 (c/n 41250, l/n 4941) this morning. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1925, and will overnight at HNL.

Lion's PK-LOR

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-LOR (c/n 39818, l/n 4936) today. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

Malaysia's 9M-MXU

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MXU (c/n 40158, l/n 4930) today. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL.

Varig's N256UP

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" is from July 2005, and this Varig [RG/VRN] MD-11, N256UP (c/n 48405, l/n 524). It was stopping through HNL as it was acquired by UPS, and en route to Singapore for freighter conversion.

48405 was originally delivered to Varig in December 1992, as PP-VPK. In late 1997, it received the above livery. It was acquired by UPS in May 2005, underwent freighter conversion, and registered as N256UP. This MD-11F does make stops at HNL every so often.

Hawaiian Still Committed To A350-800s

Bloomberg reports that despite massive Airbus A350-800XWB order cancellations by other carriers, Hawaiian Airlines said they will stick with their purchase order for six A350-800XWBs, due for delivery in 2017.

At its peak in 2009, there were over 180 firm orders for the A350-800. Currently, there are only 34 firm orders for the smallest A350 variant. Most of the carriers have opted to convert their orders to the A350-900XWB, as Airbus has been persuading airlines to move to the larger variant.