Cebu Pacific Eyes MNL-HNL Service In July

According to a CH-Aviation.com article published on Friday, Cebu Pacific Airlines [5J/CEB] (Philippines) is seeking to launch thrice-weekly service between MNL and HNL in July 2015. The airline presently has five A330-343s (with one on order, and plans to lease two more), and is planning international expansion to the Middle East, Asia, and US. If approved, Cebu Pacific's A330s are configured for 436 coach seats, and would add over 1,300 seats with the proposed thrice-weekly flights. The airline had intimated, as early as this past April, of US expansion to HNL and GUM, once  they received a Category 1 safety status by the US and EU.

More information on CEB's international expansion in this Centre For Aviation article.

N175AG And N176AG

Two former Hunnu Air [MR/MML] (Mongolia) A319-112s have stopped over in HNL on its way to storage in VCV. N175AG [top photo] (msn 1750, ex-JU-8889 "Nirun") and N176AG [above photo] (msn 1706, ex-JU-8888 "Great Mongol") were originally delivered to Mexicana in 2002; and leased to Mongolian Airlines (Hunnu's former name) in 2012. Hunnu Air changed its name in April 2013. Both aircraft arrived from HKG, via GUM, and are scheduled to leave for VCV on November 30th. With the removal of both A319-112s, Hunnu Air's remaining fleet now consists of three Fokker 50s.

1706 was delivered to Mexicana, under lease from Bouillion Air Services, as N706MX "Sacramento" in April 2002, and stayed until August 2010.

1750 was delivered to Mexicana, also under lease from Bouillion Air Services, as N750MX "Vamos pro Todo" in May 2002, and stayed until August 2010.

China Eastern's B-1722

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1722 (c/n 41513, l/n 5174) this afternoon. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES599, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-1738

Air China is taking delivery of B-1738 (c/n 41325, l/n 5186) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA74, and will overnight at HNL.

Batik's PK-LBT

Batik Air is taking delivery of PK-LBT (c/n 39828, l/n 5179) early this morning. The 737-8GP made its overnight delivery flight from BFI as BTK1, with a pre-dawn few stop at HNL, before continuing onto SZB, then BTH.

Shenzhen's B-1710

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1710 (c/n 39158, l/n 5182) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ919, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai's B-2876

Shanghai Airlines' B-2876 (c/n 33967, l/n 1050), a 757-26D, is being ferried from PVG to GYR (via SPN and HNL) as CSH2876. It was sold to Boeing Capital and re-registered as N338BC.

The above photo was taken on 27 April 2005 as B-2876 taxied for departure to MAJ as it made its delivery flight from BFI to PVG. This was also the final 757 that Boeing built and delivered.


04.18.15 Update
N338BC has been sold to Delta Air Lines, and will be re-registered as N823DX (f/n 6823).

Ruili's B-5829

Ruili Airlines [DR/RLH] (China) is taking delivery of their first new-build 737-7ME today. B-5829 (c/n 60460, l/n 5173) is making its delivery flight from BFI as B5829, and will overnight at HNL.

Rouge Replaces Air Canada

Rouge, the Air Canada subsidiary takes over the YVR-HNL service tonight, continuing with 767-300ER service.

Hainan's B-1729

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-84P this month, with B-1729 (c/n 41377, l/n 5175). It's making its delivery flight today as CHH1729, and will overnight at HNL.

India Navy's IN325

The Indian Navy is taking delivery of IN325 (c/n 40615, l/n 4481) today. The P-8I (737-8FV) is making its delivery flight as BOE206, is also wearing a US registration of N726DS. It will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto GUM.

JA8982

JA8982 (c/n 27365, l/n 26), a former Japan Airlines 777-246, that has been sold by the airline, and is making its way to San Bernardino International Airport (SBD). It arrived at HNL this morning from HND as JAL8131. It will leave HNL tomorrow morning for SBD, where it will be parted out by its new owner.

It was originally delivered to Japan Airlines in March 1996, in the Landor livery. In late 2007, it was painted in the "Arc Of The Sun" livery. In September 2010, JA8982 became one of the two 777-246 logojets promoting Arashi, the Japanese mega-pop group. The Arashi decals remained when JA8982 was painted in the current Tsuru livery, until the end of 2011. The most recent photo of JA8982 on Airliners.Net was in this past September.

Thanks to team member hal763 for the picture of JA8982 parked at the north hardstands.

Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris

Also stopping over for a refueling stop was Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the Royal Canadian Air Force's CC-150 Polaris VIP Transport, 15001 (c/n 446).

Air Force One Refueling Stop

With the end of the 2014 G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia, President Obama stopped over at HIK for a short refueling stop before heading back to Washington, D.C. on Air Force One.  The President arrived a little after 6:00 a.m. and took off around 7:20 a.m.  The VC-25A that carried the President today was 92-9000 (c/n 23825, l/n 685) and is shown taking off from 8L.

Air Force One was followed a couple of hours later by a C-32A.

Qantas' VH-XZP

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of their final 737-838, VH-XZP "James Strong" (c/n 44577, 6164), today. It's also wearing the 1970s era livery, and is making its delivery flight from BFI as QFA6024, and will make a brief stop at HNL, before continuing onto NAN.

VH-XZP arrived at HNL and parked at Gate 23 in the Center Concourse. Above is a picture from team member hal763 of VH-XZP at the gate. The top photo shows VH-XZP departing for NAN.

Hainan's B-1725

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1725 (c/n 38147, l/n 5167) today. The 737-84P, their second within the past seven days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1725, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 85th birthday today! Beginning as Inter-Island Airways in 1929 (pictured above with their Bellanca CH-300, NC251M), it changed its name to Hawaiian Airlines in 1941. Through the years, the airline has grown into a domestic and international airline, with their current fleet pictured below.

Veteran's Day

The HNL RareBirds team extends a big mahalo to all our readers and fans who served, or are currently serving, in the US Armed Forces. We appreciate all you do to serve our country and protect our freedoms.

Shenzhen's B-1711

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1711 (c/n 39159, l/n 5159) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ918, and will make an overnight stop at HNL, then continue onto MAJ.

N41AX

N41AX (msn 41082), a British Aerospace Jetstream 41, is making its way from CBR (Canberra, Australia) to storage at MQY [Smyrna, TN], via (OOL, PPG, HNL, and SJC). It was most recently with Brindabella Airlines [FQ/BRI] (Australia), until its closure in December 2013. It's currently owned by the CSC Trust Company (Wilmington, DE).

41082 was originally purchased by First State Bank of Utah (FSBU), and leased to Trans States Airlines [AX/LOF], in February 1996 as N565HK. Trans States was a regional partner for Trans World Airlines (TWA), and was marketed as Trans World Express (TWE). When American Airlines acquired TWA, Trans States became American Connection. N565HK was painted into the American Connection livery, and was also sold to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest. In March 2008, it was sold to Commonwealth Bank of Australia, then leased to Brindabella Airlines as VH-TAI.

Evergreen International's BBJ

A 737-BC BBJ belonging to Evergreen International's shipping agency made an appearance today. N888YF (c/n 33036, l/n 1060) arrived this morning from Taoyuan International (RCTP/TPE), Taiwan.

Garuda Indonesia A330s

Garuda Indonesia is returning a few A330-243s leased from Air Transat after the annual Hajj pilgrimage. C-GTSR (c/n 966) arrived earlier this morning as TSC901 from Adisumarmo International (WARQ/SOC), Indonesia. Sister-ships C-GTIS and C-GGTS will soon follow.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. VP-BLK

One of the few remaining 747SPs' arrived this afternoon. VP-BLK (c/n 21649) of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation is seen parked at the Ewa stands after bringing high rollers into town.

Batik's PK-LBS

Batik Air is taking delivery of PK-LBS (c/n 39827, l/n 5157) this afternoon. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight as BTK1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto CEB.

OK Air's B-1732

Okay Airways is taking delivery of B-1732 (c/n 41255, l/n 5161) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as OKA1732, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto GUM. B-1732 is the 100th 737NG delivery flight to China from BFI.

Some Not So HNL RareBirds

I had the splendid chance of attending the 2014 Iruma Airshow in Saitama, Japan this past November 3rd. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the Japan Air Self Defense Force. The highlight of any airshow would be the performance done by the local military groups and Japan was no exception. The JASDF's Blue Impulse, flying Kawasaki T-4s wowed the enthusiastic crowd of more than 200,000 people that attended that day. Other aerial demonstrations where performed by Iruma's 2nd Tactical Airlift Wing flying Kawasaki C-1s and a U-4, the Air Defense Command HQ Flight Group in their YS-11, U-125 and Kawasaki T-4s, JASDF's Air Rescue Wing with their U-125A and UH-60J, and the Base's Helicopter Airlift Corps flying the CH-47J.  I was impressed at how the audience oohed and awed at the maneuvers the various display groups performed. This was one of the main highlights of my Japan trip! I hope to make it out there for more JDM metal soon!

China Eastern's B-5689

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery their second 737NG within the past two weeks with B-5689 (c/n 41512, l/n 5154). The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES299, and will overnight at HNL. This their first new-build 737-89P in their new livery. It's taxiing out for departure to MAJ.

Hainan's B-1726

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1726 (c/n 39217, l/n 5155) today. The 737-84P, their third in three weeks, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1726, and will overnight at HNL. It's next flight segment will take it to SPN, then TSN.

SlikAir's 9V-MGH

SilkAir is taking delivery of their eighth 737-8SA today, with 9V-MGH (c/n 44224, l/n 5148). It's making its delivery flight as SLK8880, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto GUM.

China Southern's B-1717

China Southern Airlines  is taking delivery of B-1717 (c/n 38924, l/n 5146) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1717, and will overnight at HNL. It's second leg will stop through  PNI.

N942F

Our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to February 1999, with this IPEC Aviation / Independent Air Freighters DC-9-33, N942F (c/n 47408, l/n 467). It was stopping through HNL as it was being ferried from MEL to MZJ (via BNE, NAN, PPG, and CXI), after it was acquired by Ventures Acquisition Company LLC, and leased to Evergreen International Airlines.

47408 was originally ordered as DC-9-33CF, by Universal Airlines [UV/UTQ] as N916U, but was not taken. In March 1969, it was delivered to Overseas National Airlines (ONA) [OV] as N936F "Island Queen". In May 1975, it was acquired by Inex-Adria Airways [JP/ADR] (Yugoslavia) as YU-AJP. In June 1982, it was delivered to IPEC Aviation [IPA] (Australia) as VH-IPF "Spirit of Endeavour".  IPEC joined forces with Independent Air Freighters [IDP], and changed the fuselage titles. After Evergreen acquired VH-IPF, and flew with the airline until9:33 it was put into storage at MJZ in August 2001. Sadly, reports are that N942F has since been scrapped.