Lion's PK-LPH

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LPH (c/n 39878, l/n 5096) today. The 737-9GPER, their second in two weeks, is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto PNI.


Update 10.01.14
On the 29th, PK-LPH returned to HNL about half-way into its flight to PNI, due to a possible maintenance issue. It left this morning for PNI.

1 Million Page Views

According to statistics kept by Google Analytics, HNL RareBirds has passed the 1,000,000 page views mark tonight!

The HNL RareBirds team members extend a big mahalo to our readers and fans for making this site what it is, since it began in January 2006.

Hainan's B-1735

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1735 (c/n 41269, l/n 5097) this morning. The 737-86N, under lease from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1735, and will overnight at HNL.

Blue Angels To Perform This Weekend

The US Navy's Blue Angels will perform at this weekend's "Wings Over The Pacific" air show at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The event will include static displays on the JBPHH flight line.

C-FBXT

C-FBXT (msn 405), a former UNI Air Dash8-Q311, is making its ferry flight from TPE to YYC (via SPN, MAJ, HNL, and CCR), as the airline phases out their Q300 fleet.

It was formerly registered as B-15225, and delivered to Great China Airlines [GC/GCA] in June 1995. Three years later, it was transferred to the UNI fleet as Great China Airlines and Taiwan Airlines merged.

Trans Air's N809TA

Trans Air has taken delivery of their third 737-200F, with N809TA (c/n 23796, l/n 1420). The 737-209F/Adv, arrived from BKI [Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Malaysia], via GUM and MAJ.

23796 was originally delivered to China Airlines in July 1987 as B-182. In January 1997, it was sold to Transmile Air Services [TH/TSE] (Malaysia) as 9M-PMZ. During its time with TSE, it was leased to Mandala Airlines [RI/MDL] as PK-RIV in June 1997, for a year; then Bayu Indonesia [DD/BYU] in June 2001 for a year as PK-BYA; it then went to Kartika Airlines [KAE] as PK-KAR. In September 2010, it was converted to a freighter with TSE, still as PK-PMZ.

Thai Lion's HS-LTO

Thai Lion Air is taking delivery of their second 737-9GPER this month with HS-LTO (c/n 39824, l/n 5088). It's making its delivery flight from BFI as TLM1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

N558MS

N558MS (c/n 28567, l/n 2971), a 737-36NF owned by GECAS, is making a ferry flight from TUS to a new lessee somewhere in the Pacific or Asia. It's making a stop at JRF (above), after arriving from OAK yesterday.

28567 was originally leased to Varig in December 1997 as PP-VPU. In December 2002, it was leased to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GGU. In July 2009, it was leased to Viking Airlines [4P/VIK] (Sweden) as SE-RHV. In November 2010, it was leased to Webjet Linhas Aereas [WH/WEB] (Brazil) as PR-WJV, until the airline ceased operations two years later. Since then, it has been in storage, and recently underwent freighter conversion at SJO [Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica]

Arashi Chartered Makani Kai A-Stars

The Japanese boy band, Arashi, chartered both of Makani Kai Helicopters' AS-350BAs, to take them from HNL to their Ko Olina concert site, where the helicopters landed behind the massive staging. N6077H (msn 2693) [top] and N9511 (msn 1324) [above] had the Arashi Blast in Hawaii decals affixed to the fuselage.

SilkAir's 9V-MGF

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MGF (c/n 44222, l/n 5089) today. The 737-8SA is making its delivery flight from BFI as SLK8880, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

Shandong's B-1988

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1988 (c/n 41097, l/n 5087) this morning. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1988, and will overnight at HNL. This is their second 737 delivery flight within the past five days, and is seen above departing from Runway 8L for MAJ the next day.

Kunming's B-1991

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-1991 (c/n 41112, l/n 5093) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA1991, and will overnight at HNL.

Additional Flights For Arashi Concert

Almost resembling the additional flights from Japan for the New Year's holiday, or the Honolulu Marathon, four airlines have added flights from KIX and NRT to bring fans for the Arashi concert, that's being held tonight and tomorrow at Ko Olina. United Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, and China Airlines have added an extra daily flight since Wednesday.

Arashi is Japan's most popular boy band, are on their 15th anniversary tour, and was formed here in Hawai‘i. An estimated 15,000 people are expected for the two shows.

Aloha Air Cargo To Start HNL-LAX Service

Aloha Air Cargo announced that they will be starting service between HNL and LAX on October 23,  2014.  The service will be five-times-weekly, and will be using a 767-300F.

The press release below doesn't mention where the 767-300F is coming from, but with the close start date, it would suggest an ACMI arrangement.

Press release: Aloha Air Cargo Launches Los Angeles to Honolulu Flight

Virgin Australia's VH-YIW

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YIW "Mona Vale Beach" (c/n 40700, l/n 5085) today. The 737-8FE is making its delivery flight from BFI as VOZ9940, and will overnight at LIH.

China Eastern's B-1703

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of their second Yunnan Peacock-liveried 737-89P within the past six days, with B-1703 (c/n 41486, l/n 5080). It's making its delivery flight from BFI this morning, as CES299, and it will overnight at HNL.

We are also waiting to see which 737NG will get the new livery that their new 777-39PER, B-2001 (c/n 43269, l/n 1232) has been painted in. It seems that the a large majority of their most recent 737NG deliveries have been in the Yunnan Peacock livery.

Hawaiian Creates Memorial Wall At OGG

Hawaiian Airlines has created a memorial to commemorate Captain Jimmy Hogg, the man behind Kahului Airport's three-letter IATA code, OGG.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Shandong's B-1986

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1986 (c/n 41618, l/n 5082) this morning. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1986, and will overnight at HNL.

Lion's PK-LPF

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-PPF (c/n 39880, l/n 5081) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1. Unlike it's normal two-hour fuel stop, PK-LPF will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

Jetstar To Switch To 787

Jetstar Airways announced that they will switch from their A330-200s to their 787-8s on February 19, 2015. The airline had stated earlier that the changed would be made, once the airline received a sufficient amount of 787s. They currently have seven in service, with four more on order.

Jetstar will be the second airline to offer scheduled 787 service to HNL.

Jetstar's VH-EBD is seen above on Taxiway D, on its way to Runway 26L.

Garuda's PK-GNL

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their second 737-800 within the past ten days, with PK-GNL (c/n 41253, l/n 5078). 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 PTKK.

Hainan's B-1997

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1997 (c/n 39215, l/n 5076) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1997, and will overnight at HNL.

Qantas Airways Last 767-338ER From HNL

Today Qantas Airways operated their last 767-338ER (VH-OGU "Bryon Bay" c/n 29118, l/n 713) flight this morning on the Honolulu/Sydney route as QFA003/004. Earlier this year they announced that they would be replacing their 767-338ERs with their A330's. From September 14 thru the end of the year QF will be operating the A330-300 and the A330-200 begining January 1, 2015.

Below is QFA003 from Sydney arriving into HNL for the last time as a767-338ER flight.

Xiamen's B-1708

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1708 (c/n 39911, l/n 5075) this morning. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA1708, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-1702

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1702 (c/n 39738, l/n 5073) this morning. The 737-89P, wearing the Yunnan Peacock livery. is making its delivery flight as CES599, and will overnight at HNL.

Never Forget

The HNL RareBirds team takes a moment to pause, remember, and pray for those lost on this fateful day 13 years ago.

Allegiant To End BLI Sservice

Allegiant Airlines announced that they will not include HNL and OGG on their seasonal winter service from BLI. The last flights were flown this past April before a summer hiatus.

Further details in this Bellingham Herald article.

Frontier Reveals A New Livery

A day after Southwest Airlines revealed their new livery and branding, Frontier Airlines (F9/FFT) revealed its new look, which combines their past livery elements with their current livery.

Air China's B-1975

Air China is taking delivery of B-1975 (c/n 41323, l/n 5065) this morning. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

Thai Lion's HS-LTJ

Lion Air's Thai subsidiary is taking delivery of their newest 737-9GPER. HS-LTJ (c/n 39823, l/n 5070) arrived this morning, and departed a few hours later as TLM1.

Boeing Introduces The 737 MAX 200

Boeing has announced a 200-seat variant of the 737 Max8, called the 737 MAX 200. It incorporates additional exit doors to allow the higher capacity. Ireland's Ryanair will be the launch customer for this new 737MAX variant.

Further details in this Boeing Media press release.

Southwest Introduces A New Look

Southwest Airlines introduced a new look this morning at their Love Field, Dallas, TX headquarters. Two of their 737-8H4s have the new livery, and were part of today's festivities.

Further details on the Southwest Airlines website.

Xiamen's B-1706

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1706 (c/n 39905, l/n 5066) this morning. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA1706, and will overnight at HNL.

India Navy's IN324

India's Navy is taking delivery of IN324 (c/n 40614, l/n 4445) today. The P-8I Neptune (737-8FV) is making its delivery flight from BFI as BOE205, and will overnight at HNL. It's also wearing a dual registration of N720DS.

N976AS

An MD-83, N976AS (c/n 53452, l/n 2109), made a stop at JRF as it is being ferried from TUS to TNN (Tainan Airport, Tainan City, Taiwan), via BFL, JRF, MAJ, and SPN. It's owned by International Air Capital [New Orleans, LA].

N967AS was originally delivered to Alaska Airlines in April 1995. After Alaska retired its MD-80 fleet, N976AS was acquired by Ryan International Airlines in December 2007, and flew with the airline until 2012, then stored at TUS. International Air Capital acquired N976AS last month.

Hawaiian Adds Art To Ground Equipment

Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with PowWow Hawaii, a street artists group, that painted some of the airline's ground equipment.  This art project will last until October 11th, when the ground equipment will revert to their standard colors.

Mahalo to Hawaiian Airlines for the above photo.

More photos can be seen in this Hawaiian Airlines' Flickr album.

9 Air's B-1719

9 Air is taking delivery of their second 737-8GP within the past seven days. B-1719 (c/n 39820, l/n 5016), leased from the Lion Group's Transportation Partners, is making its delivery flight from VCV as B1719.

Garuda's PK-GNM

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GNM (c/n 41322, l/n 5057) this morning. The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto PTKK [Chuuk International Airport, Chuuk Island, FSM].

Island Air's CEO Change

Island Air announced today, the current CEO Paul Casey is stepping down on September 30th, and will be replaced by Silver Airways' CEO David Pflieger on October 1st.

More information in this Travel Weekly article, and this Pacific Business News article.

Qantas' VH-XZN

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-XZN (c/n 44575, l/n 5060) today. The 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI as QFA6024, and will overnight at HNL.

Japan Asia Airways' JA8130

Our September edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Japan Asia Airways' 747-246B, JA8130 (c/n 21679, l/n 376), photographed at HNL in January 2005. It also wore special artwork aft of the wing, and the "Yokoso Japan!" titles.

JA8130 was originally delivered to parent company Japan Airlines in June 1979, and flew periodically with Japan Asia Airways. During its time with JAL, it wore the 1970s livery, the 1990s Landor livery, and the 2000s "Arc Of The Sun" livery. In October 2005, 21679 was sold to Kalitta Equipment LLC, and became N741CK. It was used for parts, and its registration was cancelled in October 2008, as it was finally scrapped.