Lion's PK-LPI

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-LPI (c/n 38299, l/n 5134) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make its brief fuel stop before continuing onto MAJ (above).

China Eastern's B-5817

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5817 (c/n 39739, l/n 5121) this morning. The 737-79P, clad in the orange peacock livery, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES599, and will overnight at HNL. This is the first new-build 737NG to wear the new China Eastern logo on the tail and winglets, and seen above after arriving from BFI.

FedEx's 777-FS2 N863FD

FedEx's N863FD (c/n 37734, l/n 998) was substituted for the normal MD-11F on FedEx's regularly scheduled MEM-HNL flight, FDX948, on October 26.  It then spent almost 24 hours here in HNL so that the local FedEx employees can get familiarized on handling the 777-FS2.  N863FD then left today, October 27, as FDX1800 to OAK.

This training comes in time for the increased flights FedEx has during the holiday season and should mean that HNL will see FedEx's 777-FS2 more frequently.

Air Japan Changes Flight Numbers

Air Japan, the All Nippon Airways subsidiary, changed the flight numbers from today. Their NRT-HNL flight is now AJX182/181 (was AJX1052/1051), and their HND-HNL flight is now AJX186/185 (was AJX 1062/1061).

Aloha Air Cargo's Newest 737/LAX Operation

Aloha Air Cargo's 2nd 737-330SF has been delivered. N302KH (c/n 27905, l/n 2705) was first delivered to Lufthansa as D-ABEW in March of 1995. It flew with Lufthansa until February of this year, when it was brought by a leasing company, and converted to a freighter earlier this month.

The inaugural flight of Aloha Air Cargo's 767 west-coast LAX-HNL operation began on the 23rd of this month. Aloha Air Cargo has a lease agreement with Airborne Global Solutions subsidiary, Cargo Aircraft Management. Airborne Global Solutions companies also include ABX Air and Air Transport International (ATI) as well as few other businesses. N226CY (c/n 26544, l/n 412), a 767-383ER BDSF operated the first and second day of the new route.

Hawaiian's N374HA

Hawaiian Airlines recently acquired their 19th A330-243 on October 15th, after arriving from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, via Seattle. N374HA (msn1565) was named "Melemele", Hawaiian for the constellation Corvus.

Shandong's B-1731

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1731 (c/n 41619, l/n 5139) this morning. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1731, and will overnight at HNL. It seen above taxiing to its parking spot, after arriving from BFI.

Nok Air's HS-DBS

Nok Air is taking delivery of HS-DBS "Nok Thongchomphoo" (c/n 43421, l/n 5137) today. The 737-86N, under lease from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as HSDBS, and is making its Hawai‘i overnight stopover at KOA.

Photos from Nok Air's Twitter page as it left BFI, and after its arrival at KOA.

Kunming Orders More 737s

According to a World Airline News article, Kunming Airlines has ordered four 737-700s and six 737 MAXs, pending government approval for the Shenzhen Airlines subsidiary.

Shanghai's B-1720

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1720 (c/n 41493, l/n 5135) today. The 737-86D is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH720, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above as it taxies out for departure to MAJ.

Hainan's B-1733

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-800 within the past three days with B-1733 (c/n 41254, l/n 5132). The 737-86N, under lease from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1733, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, awaiting its crew for departure to MAJ.

Alaska To Add SAN-KOA Service

Beginning in March 5, 2015, Alaska Airlines will add thrice-weekly 737-890 service between SAN and KOA.

Further details in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Hawaiian Introduces Zone Boarding

Hawaiian Airlines begins zone boarding for its flights, as a way to make boarding more proficient.

Hawaiian's announcement via its Twitter account.

KHON's news article.

Air China's B-1976

Air China is taking delivery of their second 737-89L in as many days with B-1976 (c/n 41098, l/n 5131). It's making its delivery flight as CCA74, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above climbing out from a Runway 8L departure for MAJ.

Hainan's B-1727

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1727 (c/n 39216, l/n 5128) this morning. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1727, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

Aloha Air Cargo's N301KH Load Shift Incident

The Aviation Herald reports that Aloha Air Cargo's N301KH was involved in a load shift incident as it departed LNY for HNL. The crew gained control of the 737-300F, and continued to HNL safely. Upon inspection, the aircraft suffered damage to a bulkhead.

Batik's PK-LBQ

Batik Air is taking delivery of PK-LBQ (c/n 39825, l/n 5127) today. The 737-8GP is made its late night / early morning delivery flight out of BFI, with a brief fuel stop at HNL as BTK1.

Air China's B-1978

Air China is taking delivery of B-1978 (c/n 41324, l/n 5120) this morning. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

Malindo's 9M-LNM

Malindo Air is taking delivery of 9M-LNM (c/n 39826, l/n 5122) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as MLO1, and will make its brief fuel stop before continuing onto BTH [Batam, Indonesia].

Xiamen's B-1707

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1707 (c/n 39906, l/n 5126) this morning. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA1707, and will overnight at HNL.

Airlines To Waive Change Fees For Storm

In anticipation of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ana, airlines serving Hawaii have announced that they will be waiving the normal fees to change reservations for flights this coming weekend.  If this involves you, of course, please contact the individual airline for details or limitations.

In a related matter, the NOAA's Gulfstream IV, N49RF, and an Air Force WC-130Js will be flying around, and into the storm to keep us informed. The HNL RareBirds team thanks these iron-stomached aircrews for their service.


10.17.14 Update
All of the local carriers have altered their flight schedules, and canceled flights in preparation for Hurricane Ana.

Xiamen Air Completes Hebei Acquisition

Xiamen Air has completed its acquisition of Hebei Airlines with a 99+% share of the latter carrier. The merger was announced this past July.

Further details in this ATW Online article.

Garuda Orders 50 737 MAX 8s

Boeing announced today that Garuda Indonesia has placed an order for 50 737 MAX 8s, four of which will be converted from an existing order for 737-800s.

Further details in this Boeing Mediaroom release.

Qantas Retrojet Announced

When Qantas Airways takes delivery of VH-XZP (c/n 44577), expected in late November, the airline will introduce a retrojet livery on the 737-838, that will commemorate its 75th Anniversary.

Further details in this World Airline News article.

N417US

N417US (c/n 23984, l/n 1674), a 737-401, is being ferried from DMK to GYR (via ROR, MAJ, and JRF), as it returns to its lessor, BCI Aircraft Leasing. It was most recently with City Airways (Thailand) [E8/GTA] as HS-GTB. The stop at JRF will be a brief one, only stopping for fuel.

23984 was originally purchased by Piedmont Airlines [PI/PAI] as N417US, and delivered in February 1989.  It was transferred to the US Air [US/USA] fleet after it acquired Piedmont later that year. N417US wore three different US Air liveries: the bare metal livery, the dark blue/grey livery, and the most recent livery. In 1997, it was sold to BCI Aircraft Leasing, then leased back to US Airways, until 2012. In February 2013, it was leased to City Airways, and it retained most of the previous livery.

Garuda's PK-GNN

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their second 737-8U3 within the past seven days with PK-GNN (c/n 41270, l/n 5116). This GECAS-leased 737 is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto KSA.

Mokulele Expands Services

AirlineRoutes.com reports that Mokulele Airlines is expanding service at JRF and JHM with MKK beginning October 20th. The airline will add three round-trip daily flights between JRF and MKK, and two round-trip daily flights between JRF and JHM. They will also all service between MKK and JHM, and HNM and JHM.

Qantas' VH-XZO

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-XZO (c/n 44576, 5108) today. The 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI as QFA6024, and will overnight at HNL.

ZK-NGP

ZK-NGP (c/n 27459, l/n 3007), a former Air New Zealand 737-33A leased from AWAS is making its ferry flight from CHC to GYR (via APW and HNL).

27459 was originally leased to Air Malta in March 1998 as 9H-ADH, until 2007. During its time with Air Malta, it was subleased twice to Azzurra Air. In March 2008, it was leased to Air New Zealand.

N281LF

N281LF (c/n 26316, l/n 2711), a 737-4K5 most recently with Merpati Nusantra as PK-MDY, is making its ferry flight from CGK to GYR (via MNL, GUM, MAJ, HNL, and OAK).

26316 was originally purchased by ILFC, and leased to Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) in April 1995 as D-AHLG. In November 2000, it was leased to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GWT, until May 2011. Three months later, it was leased to Merpati as PK-MDY. It has been recently acquired by Strategic Air Finance [Miami, FL].


10.11.14 Update
N281LF left for OAK.

Europe - HNL Direct Flights?

The Pacific Business News reports that the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Norwegian Air are discussing potential direct flights from Europe to HNL. The flight would be from Oslo, Norway with Norwegian's 787s.

Garuda's PK-GNO

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GNO (c/n 41800, l/n 5109) this morning. The 737-8U3, leased from ILFC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel-stop at HNL, before conning onto to KSA.

Japan Airlines Absorbs JAL Express

Japan Airlines has absorbed its domestic subsidiary, JAL Express, into the main carrier. Many of their 737-846s stopped through HNL when they made their delivery flights from BFI, during the winter months.

Further information in this Zipangu Flyer article.

Canada 3000's C-FOOH

Our October edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to December 1998, and this Canada 3000 Airlines 757-23A, C-FOOH (c/n 24293, l/n 220), as it taxies to Gate 26.

24293 was originally purchased by AWAS, and delivered to Air 2000 [DP/AMM] (UK) in April 1989 as G-OOOH. In June 1994, it was leased to Avianca [AV/AVA] (Colombia) as N989AN. In May 1995, it was leased to Canada 3000 [2T/CMM], and served with the airline until its closure in November 2001. A few months later, in April 2002, it was leased to Cameroon Airlines as TJ-CAG. FedEx purchased 24293 from AWAS in April 2009, converted to a freighter, and registered as N922FD "Remy" (f/n 922).