30 August 2015

N10CQ

N10CQ (c/n 28614, l/n 477) is making a ferry flight from TNA to GYR (via GUM, MAJ, and HNL). The 737-86N, owned by International Aviation Capital and Management (Greenwich, CT), was acquired from GECAS, and leased to China Xinhua Airlines [XW/CXH].

28614 was originally purchased by GECAS, and leased to SunExpress [XQ/SXS] (Turkey) in February 2000 as TC-SUB. In March 2004, it was leased to China Xinhua Airlines as B-5080, where it stayed with the airline until August 2015. It wore both the original Hainan Air Group livery, and painted in the 2007 livery in early 2009.

Hawaiian's Raiders Logo Jet

Hawaiian has added the Oakland Raiders logo to N375HA "Humu". This is the first time that the company will utilize a A330-243 instead of a 767-300ER as the Raiders Charter jet.

28 August 2015

China Southern's B-1525

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1525 (c/n 41611, l/n 5548) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN525, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong's B-6985

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-6985 (c/n 41626, l/n 5534) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG6985, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen's B-1519

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1519 (c/n 40828, l/n 5496) this morning. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ519, and will overnight at HNL.

24 August 2015

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPN

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPN "Arrawarra Beach" (msn 19000312) is returning to BNE from its maintenance check at BNA as VOZ9902 (via VNY, HNL, and APW).

22 August 2015

Xiamen's B-1964

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1964 (c/n 39914, l/n 5545) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA1964, and will overnight at HNL.

21 August 2015

Batik's PK-LDG

Batik Air is taking delivery of PK-LDG (c/n 39862, l/n 5532) tonight. The 737-8GP is making its overnight delivery flight from BFI as BTK1, and will make a pre-dawn fuel stop at HNL.

Nok Air's HS-DBT

Nok Air is taking delivery of HS-DBT "Nok Budnampetch" (c/n 61293, l/n 5519) today. The 737-88L is making its delivery flight from BFI as HSDBT, and will overnight at KOA.

20 August 2015

Sriwijaya's PK-CMP

Sriwijaya Air is also taking delivery of PK-CMP "Keinginan" (c/n 41843, l/n 5190) today. The 737-9LFER, leased from AerGo Capital, is making its delivery flight from BFI as SJY1001, and will overnight at HNL.

41843 was originally to intended to be leased to UTAir as VQ-BGK in November 2014, but was not taken up, and stored at BFI.

Sriwijaya's PK-CMO

Sriwijaya Air is taking delivery PK-CMO "Keberkahan" (c/n 41712, l/n 5336) today. The 737-9LFER, leased from AerGo Capital, is making its delivery from BFI as SJY1002, and will overnight at HNL.

41712 was originally to intended to be leased to UTAir in March 2015, but was not taken up, and stored at BFI unpainted.

18 August 2015

Hawaiian Updates Passenger Safety Video

Hawaiian Airlines is debuting a new onboard pre-flight safety video on the airline's in-flight entertainment systems. This new video features over 30 crew members and families at various locations around Hawai‘i.

Further information and YouTube version in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

American Launches A321 Service

American Airlines launches A321-231 service today, on two of its four flights between HNL and LAX. N126AN (msn 6313, f/n 858) is making the first flight from LAX this morning as AAL31, and will depart HNL as AAL162. N129AA (msn 6401, f/n 861) is making the second flight as AAL297 to HNL, and as AAL298 to LAX this evening.

N126AN is seen above departing from Runway 8L on this hot, humid summer day for LAX as AAL162.

Hainan's B-1501

Hainan Airlines' second 737-84P delivery this morning, is B-1501 (c/n 41382, l/n 5442). It is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1501, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan's B-1799

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of a pair of 737-84Ps this morning. B-1799 (c/n 41381, l/n 5418) is the first of the two making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1799, and will overnight at HNL.

17 August 2015

747 at OGG

As I was leaving Costco this morning, I noticed a unique airplane tail at the airport cargo area, and it was moving quickly to the active runway. I’ve never seen that tail livery before ... gray with a small dark blue stripe near the top.

Passing the airport 2 minutes later, I saw a 747 lifting off way down at the opposite end of the runway.

It was the first 747 I’ve seen here. Ever. It had a -400 size wing.

No picture. The plane wasn’t there when I drove down the hill 2.5 hrs earlier.

My guess is that it was a special flight offloading telescope equipment.

Looked like he went straight out to the mainland.

Any info appreciated.

N412SN

N412SN (c/n 48412, l/n 454), an MD-11F registered to Western Global Airlines [WGN] (USA), made a stop at HNL last night as WGN2112 from DFW. It's scheduled to fly to GUM today. According to World Airline News, the Western Global MD-11Fs are all painted white, and carry no titles.

15 August 2015

Prescott Support's N3755P

Prescott Support's N3755P (c/n 382-5032) is making a stop over in Honolulu. Their fleet of  L-100-30s and CASA CN235s performs charter cargo flights for both the civilian and government sectors. A web search of Prescott Support shows that the company's aircraft have been linked to CIA activities throughout the world.

SilkAir's 9V-MGL

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MGL (c/n 44228, l/n 5531) today. The 737-8SA is making its delivery flight from BFI as SLK8383, and will overnight at KOA, before continuing onto GUM.

14 August 2015

Asia Pacific's N757QM

Asia Pacific Airlines' first 757-200F, N757QM (c/n 27203, l/n 588) is making its way to HNL. The 757-29JF, one of two 757-200Fs, will join the airline's current fleet of three 727-200Fs. After its arrival at HNL, N757QM was towed to park on Taxiway F. Asia Pacific modified its livery on their 757s by adding the light grey stripe in front of the green aft section.

27203 was originally ordered by Shorouk Air [7Q/SHK] (Egypt) as SU-RAC, but was not taken up. It was acquired by Far Eastern Air Transport [FE/FEA] (Taiwan) in November 1994 as B-27005. Eight years later, it went to Aeroméxico as XA-TOQ, then re-registered in January 2003 as N703AM, as it was purchased by Wells Fargo, then leased back. It was scheduled to go to Eos Airlines [E0/EES] as N458JS in March 2008, but the airline ceased operations before it was delivered. 27203 then was leased to FlyLAL Charters [LLC] (Lithuania) in September 2008 as LY-FLA, and had AviationPartners Boeing Blended Winglets installed. It was briefly sub-leased to SCAT Air Company [DV/VSV] (Kazakhstan) in May 2009. In July 2010, FlyLAL re-branded itself as Small Planet Airlines [S5/LLC]. LY-FLA was also sold to Aircastle, with its lease intact. In March 2011, it was leased to Nordwind Airlines [N4/NWS] (Russia) as VQ-BKM, and remained until November 2014, when it was returned to Aircastle, and stored at GYR. Asia Pacific acquired 27203 in December 2014.


The other 757-200F, N757MQ (c/n 25436, l/n 419), a former Condor 757-230F is currently at GYR.

Asia Pacific Airlines’ N757MQ

 N757MQ (c/n 25436, l/n 419), a 757-230F, to supplement their cargo operations. 25436 was originally delivered to Condor Flugdienst [DE/CFG] in January 1992 as D-ABNH. It was transferred when Lufthansa sold their subsidiary to British travel company Thomas Cook in 2002. The 757 retained its German registry, but was painted in the Thomas Cook livery. In August 2004, it was acquired by Center Capital, and leased to VIM Airlines [NN/MOV] (Russia) as RA-73008, until December 2014, when it was placed into storage at GYR. Aerolease acquired it in January 2015, and remains in storage at GYR, still in the VIM Airlines livery, without engines. Asia Pacific acquired this 757, but has yet to send it out for freighter conversion, and continues to sit in storage at GYR.


01 January 2021 UPDATE
The FAA website says "This aircraft's registration status may to be unsuitable for operation”. It’s been reported that N757MQ was scrapped at GYR, some time in 2018.

Lion's PK-LPJ

Lion Air is taking delivery PK-LPJ (c/n 39869, l/n 5530) today. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto PNI. It's wearing a special decal in the aft section of the fuselage, commemorating the airline's 150th 737NG.

With all of the Lion Group allocations to subsidiaries Batik Air, Malindo Air, and Thai Lion Air, PK-LPJ is the first 737NG for Lion Air this year.

Shanghai's B-6107

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-6107 (c/n 41483, l/n 5533) this morning. The 737-89P, allocated from China Eastern Airlines, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH330, and will overnight at HNL.

13 August 2015

SF Airlines' N166CR

 SF Airlines (ShunFeng Airlines) [O3/CSS - China] is ferrying N166CR (c/n 27621, l/n 738), a 757-28A from XSP to GYR, via GUM and HNL.

27621 was originally purchased by ILFC, and leased to Flying Colours Airlines [MT/FCL] (United Kingdom) in February 1997 as G-FCLA. In March 2000, G-FCLA was transferred to JMC Airlines [MT/JMC], and in March 2003, Thomas Cook Airlines [MT/TCX] consolidated its airlines and fleets. G-FCLA was also subleased to Skyservice Airlines [5G/SSV] (Canada) twice, as G-FFLA; and Jazz Air as C-GJZV. Thomas Cook Airlines returned G-FCLA to ILFC in April 2012, but leased from new lessor AerCap until November 2014. It was stored at QLA [Lasham Airport, Lasham, UK], where it was painted in the SF Airlines livery in January 2015. This past April, it was sold to WFBN, where it was stored at XSP.

Dubai Air Wing's A6-HRM

A 747-422 of the United Arab Emirates' Dubai Air Wing is seen above tucked away on the Ewa Hardstands. A6-HRM (c/n 26903, l/n 1171) previously flew with United Airlines as N108UA until it was retired in September, 2003 and acquired by the government of Dubai.

Hebei's B-6299

Hebei Airlines is taking delivery of B-6299 (c/n 42965, l/n 5488) this afternoon. The 737-8LW is making its delivery flight from BFI as HBH6299. As seen above, Hebei has also changed their livery.

China Eastern's B-6141

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-6141 (c/n 39745, l/n 5529) today. The orange Yunnan peacock-liveried 737-79P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL. This is their second 737NG in as many days.

Xiamen's B-6486

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of their second 737-85C within the past six days, with B-6486 (c/n 41395, l/n 5528). It's making its delivery flight from BFI this morning as CXA6486, and will overnight at HNL.

12 August 2015

Virgin Australia's VH-YFS

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YFS "Sellicks Beach" (c/n 41027, l/n 5525) today. The 737-8FE is making its delivery flight from BFI as VOZ9940, and will  make an overnight stop at LIH.

Thai Lion's HS-LUI

Thai Lion Air is taking delivery of HS-LUI (c/n 39861, l/n 5524) today. The 737-8GP is making its  (rare daytime) delivery flight from BFI as TLM1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto DVO.

Air China's B-1528

Air China is taking delivery of B-1528 (c/n 44920, l/n 5527) this morning. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

11 August 2015

China Eastern's B-6143

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-6143 (c/n 41476, l/n 5523) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL. B-6143 is the 100th 737-800 delivery that has stopped through Hawai‘i this year.

07 August 2015

American Airlines to Start Scheduled A321 Service

American Airlines will soon be sending A321-231(WL)s to Hawai‘i. Beginning August 18th, they will slowly phase out the aging 757-200s by the end of the year on the LAX-HNL-LAX route. The new equipment change will mark the first time an A320 family type to operate scheduled service to Hawai‘i.

In preparation for the A321 service, American has sent N132AN (cn 6473) to Honolulu (AAL9780) for a proving run and type familiarization for ground crews at the four Hawaiian airports that American serves.

Xiamen's B-6487

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-6487 (c/n 39919, l/n 5522) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA6487, and will overnight at HNL. B-6487 is the 100th 737-800 to deliver through Hawai‘i this year.

05 August 2015

HNL RareBirds Hosts Konstantin von Wedelstaedt

This morning, I had the opportunity to host aviation photographer Konstantin von Wedelstaedt and his wife (on holiday from Germany), with some spotting time at HNL.

Konstantin is a frequent contributor to Airliners.net and aviation magazines.

04 August 2015

Air China's B-1527

Air China is taking delivery of B-1527 (c/n 44919, l/n 5515) this morning. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

02 August 2015

Air Vanuatu To Lease A 737-800

CH-Aviation reports that Air Vanuatu [NF/AVN] will be leasing a new-build 737-800 from ALC, which will be delivered in January 2016. This will be their second 737-800, as the airline is currently leasing one from ILFC.

Kingdom of Morocco's CN-MVI

The Kingdom of Morocco's 737-8KB BBJ2, CN-MVI (c/n 37545, l/n 2696), has paid a visit to HNL. It was here previously in 2012 and 2013. It has been reported that the MVI in the registration, is in reference to the nation's King Mohamed VI.

01 August 2015

N413JG

N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), a 737-2Q8/Adv, is TransAir's newest acquisition. It arrived last night from MNL (via GUM and MAJ), and is at their hangar along with N810TA. This 737-2Q8 is currently in a passenger configuration, and would be the airline's first passenger version. Trans Air has two Shorts SD-360s in passenger configuration.

23148 was originally purchased by ILFC in October 1984, and leased to America West Airlines as N137AW. In July 1995, it was then leased to Ladeco [UC/LCO] (Chile) as CC-CYV. In April 2000, it was leased to Westjet Airlines [WS/WJA](Canada) as C-FLWJ. In March 2006, 23148 was sold to Weststar Aviation (Malaysia) as N413JG. According to the FAA registry, Trans Air acquired N413JG this past February, and was ferried to MNL.

One-Two-Go's XU-123

Our August edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features One-Two-Go's [OG/OTG] (Thailand) 757-23A, XU-123 (c/n 24528, l/n 250) that made a stop at HNL in August 2004. One-Two-Go was the low-cost variant of Orient Thai Airlines [OX/OEA]. It also flew on behalf of Kampuchea Airlines, while with One-Two-Go. This 757-23A was making its ferry flight from DMK to the mainland, as it's lease had expired. As you can see above, XU-123 retained the MyTravel base livery, while adding its own titles, and replaced the tail logo. It was one of two 757-200s to get the airline started, but One-Two-Go went out of business in July 2010.

24528 was originally ordered by AWAS, and leased to Air Belgium [AJ/ABB] in October 1989 as OO-ILI. It was subleased to Icelandair from January to February 1996, and subleased to Sunways [SWY] (Sweden) from March 1996 to November 1997 as SE-DSM "Lennart Joahnsson". It was sold to Tombo Aviation in the same month, and Tombo leased 24528 to Britannia Airways as G-BXOL (December 1997-April 1999); Air Holland [GG/HLN - Netherlands] (April 1999-April 2000) and Transavia [HV/TRA] (April 2000-May 2001) as PH-AHP; British World Airlines [VF/BWL] (May 2001-May 2002) as G-OBWS; MyTravel Airways [DK/VKG - Denmark] (May 2002-October 2003) as G-CCMY; Kampuchea Airlines [KT/KMP - Cambodia] (October-December 2003) as XU-123; One-Two-Go, which was subleased from Orient Thai (December 2003-August 2004), keeping the Cambodian registration; and Omni Air International [X9/OAE - USA] (September 2004-November 2010) as N549AX {below}. It was sold to FedEx in December 2010, and was converted to a freighter. It entered service in October 2011, and flies as N939FD "Camila" (f/n 939).

In the above photo, N549AX is seen taking off from Runway 22L, when it was one of Omni's six 757-200s that took turns on the HNL-LAS-HNL charters for Vacations Hawaii, before the airline switched to the 767-200.