Crystal Luxury Airʻs P4-XTL

Crystal Luxury Air's 777-29MLR, P4-XTL (c/n 40955, l/n 952), is making a New Years charter flight  for its passengers to celebrate New Yearʻs Day in Sydney, Australia, and in Honolulu, HI. The 88-VIP seat 777, operated by Comlux Aruba [CS/CXB], departed SYD at 06:04L January 1st, and arrived at HNL at this evening at 18:31L as CXB772.

HAL446 Passengers Departs in 2018, Lands In 2017

Passengers and crew aboard Hawaiian Airlines flight HAL446 (AKL-HNL) will get to celebrate two New Year's! The A330-243, N399HA "Kūmau" (msn 1496), departed AKL at 00:05L, 01 January 2018; and landed this morning at 10:13L. The flight was to have departed AKL at 23:55L on the 31st, to arrive at HNL on the same day.

Further details in this Metro UK article.

China Southern Airlines' B-1202

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1202 (c/n 62093, l/n 6686) today. This 737 MAX 8 is makings delivery flight from BFI as CSN202, and will overnight at HNL. B-1202 is the sixth 737 delivery for China Southern this month, and the 25th delivery for 2017.

This month also set a new record with 30 737 deliveries (14 MAX 8s and 16 -800s).

China Eastern Airlines' B-1385

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1385 (c/n 61626, l/n 6726). This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL. B-1385 is China Eastern's fifth 737 delivery this month.

Suparna Airlines' B-1391

Suparna Airlines (formerly Yangtze River Airlines) is taking delivery of B-1391 (c/n 64845, l/n 6741) today. This 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as B1391, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern Airlines' B-1365

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1365 (c/n 43906, l/n 6743) today. This 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1365, and will overnight at HNL.

Mokulele Awarded EAS Contract For Hāna

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded Mokulele Airlines with a two-year Essential Air Service contract for the airline to provide service between Hāna, Maui [HNM], and Kahului, Maui [OGG].

Further information in this CH-Aviation article.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1380

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1380 (c/n 61625, l/n 6607) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9003, and will overnight art HNL.

China Southern Airlines' B-1367

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1367 (c/n 43905, l/n 6738) today. This 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN167, and will overnight at HNL. B-1367 is the 200th 737 to deliver through Hawai‘i this year.

Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄

The HNL RareBirds team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas! 🎄

Hawaiian Airlines' N204HA

Hawaiian Airlines took delivery of its second A321-271N, N204HA (msn 7959) today. The A321neo made its flight from XFW [Finkenwerder Airport, Hamburg, Germany] to PAE [Paine Field, Everett, WA], via YYR [Goose Bay Airport, Labrador, Canada], for installation interior components and in-flight entertainment systems. It should make its way home to HNL is a few weeks.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1381

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1381 (c/n 61624, l/n 6562) this evening. This 737 MAX 8 is  making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

A new 737 delivery record for HNL stopovers has been set today! Seven 737s, four -800s and three MAXs, are overnighting at HNL tonight! The previous records was five. Combined with private jets arriving for the Christmas and New Year's holidays, ramp space will be pretty tight.

China Southern Airlines' B-1200

China Southern Airlines' second 737 MAX 8 delivery this afternoon is B-1200 (c/n 63252, l/n 6666). This is their third MAX delivery this month, that is making its flight from BFI as CSN1200, and will overnight at HNL.

Dalian Airlines' B-1210

Dalian Airlines is taking delivery of B-1210 (c/n 60881, l/n 6737) this afternoon. This 737-89L is making tis delivery flight from BFI as CCD8998, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan Airlines' B-1373

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1373 (c/n 64844, l/n 6739) today. This 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1373, and will overnight at HNL. This is Hainan's third delivery this month, and 25th for the year, which is the most for any of the airlines delivering through Hawai‘i since we've begun tracking 737 delivery flights.

China Southern Airlines' B-1203

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of two 737 MAX 8s this afternoon. B-1203 (c/n 63254, l/n 6731) is the first of the two making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN103, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1321

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1321 (c/n 63766, l/n 6736) this afternoon. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9004, and will overnight at HNL. This is their third 737 delivery this month.

Fuzhou Airlines' B-1350

Fuzhou Airlines is taking delivery of B-1350 (c/n 64873, l/n 6742) today. This 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as FZA1350, and will overnight at HNL.

N7868K

N7868K (c/n 29364, l/n 1823) is a 737-79P, that was formerly with China Eastern Airlines, is ferrying from KMG to PAE (via GUM and HNL). It is destined to join the Southwest Airlines fleet after being re-painted, and the cabin reconfiguration, under lease from AerCap.

It was previously registered as B-5097, and was delivered to China Eastern in December 2005, under lease from ILFC. In 2011, Blended Winglets were installed, and in mid-2012, the green Yunnan peacock feather was added to the livery. In 2014, it was acquired by AerCap, and the lease was transferred. B-5097 was painted into the current China Eastern livery in January 2017, and recently withdrawn from service.

N941UW

N941UW (c/n 27806, l/n 657), a 757-2B7 owned by Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, is ferrying from GYR to XSP for freighter conversion, and has made a fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto GUM.

27806 was originally delivered to USAir in January 1995 as N628AU. It received the dark blue livery following the name change to US Airways. In December 2006, it had Blended Winglets installed, and re-registered as N941UW (f/n 941). Following the US Airways / American Airlines merger, it was transferred to the latterʻs fleet in December 2013, when it was painted in the American livery. It was withdrawn from service last month. 27806 will undergo freighter conversion at XSP, and will be leased to SF Airlines (China).

Japan Transocean Air's JA06RK

Japan Transocean Air is taking delivery of their newest 737-8Q3. JA06RK (c/n 61480, l/n 6729) wears a special livery depicting one of two Whale Sharks from Okinawa's Churaumi Aquarium. The new delivery will replace JA8992 (c/n 27917, l/n 2729), a 737-4Q3, the current "Sakura Jinbei".

Garuda Indonesia's PK-GDA

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their first 737 MAX 8 today. PK-GDA (c/n 62093, l/n 6713) is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will overnight at HNL.

Sun Country Airlines To Fly To HNL

Sun Country Airlines announced that they will launch seasonal 737-800 service from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport [MSP] to HNL, via LAX. The four-times per week service will run from May 19th to August 19th.

Further information in this Sun Country Airlines press release.

This is the airline's second foray into scheduled service to HNL. In the mid-90s, Sun Country Airlines had DC-10-15 service between LAX and HNL. When the airline re-organized to an all 737NG fleet, the service was terminated. In 2011, Sun Country proposed the same MSP-HNL service (with a west coast stop), but did not materialize.

Normally, Sun Country 737-800s can be seen on HNL's South Ramp, at an FBO, as they fly college sports team charters, or government charters.

Kunming Airlines' B-1330

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-1330 (c/n 63617, l/n 6714) today. This 737-8LY is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA1330, and will overnight at HNL.

Allegiant Air's RP-C3195

Allegiant Air is taking delivery of another former Cebu Pacific Air A319-111, with RP-C3195 (msn 2831). The A319 is ferrying from CAN to IND, via GUM, and HNL. It will be registered as N334NV (f/n 334), upon delivery to IND.

Air China's B-1398

Air China is taking delivery of B-1398 (c/n 60883, l/n 6722) today. This 737 MAX 8, their third delivery in this past week, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA48, and will overnight at HNL.

2-QWEA And 2-QWEB

A pair of former Malaysia Airlines 737-8H6s, 2-QWEA and 2-QWEB. Both 737s are ferrying from KUL to MZJ, via GUM and HNL, on a lease returns to FPG Amentum [Dublin, Ireland].

2-QWEA (c/n 40150, l/n 4616) was delivered to Malaysia Airlines in September 2013 as 9M-MSH, and withdrawn from service this past July.

2-QWEB (c/n 41053, l/n 4723) was delivered to Malaysia Airlines in December 2013 as 9M-MXP, and withdrawn from service this past September.

Hawaiian Holdings To Acquire Island Air's AOC

The trustee in charge of Island Air's Chapter 7 Bankruptcy proceedings revealed today that Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, will purchase Island Air's Air Operating Certificate, along with its frequent flyer program, intellectual property, ground service equipment, and some office equipment for $750,000. 

This acquisition, subject to approval by the US Bankruptcy Court on a hearing on January 5, 2018, will allow Hawaiian's subsidiary ‘Ohana by Hawaiian to operate on its own certificate. Currently, ‘Ohana is operated by Empire Airlines' pilots, flight attendants, and ground crews, under a contract when the subsidiary was announced; and also flies under Empire's flight code. It will mean that ‘Ohana will hire its own employees, and could mean that former Island Air employees could return to work for ‘Ohana. Hawaiian Airlines also created a new subsidiary, Elliott Street Holdings for the acquisition of Island Air's assets. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian presently has three ATR42-500s for its passenger operations, and three ATR72-200Fs for its yet-to-begin cargo operations. The airline has not stated if more ATR42s will be added to the fleet.

Further information in this Honolulu Star*Advertiser article.

Hawaiian Airlines' N202HA Enters Service

Hawaiian Airlines' first A321-271N, N202HA "Maile", has entered inter-island service today! Partly for crew familiarization, and its unveiling to the flying public, it made its first revenue flight from HNL to KOA as HAL118, and will return as HAL117. It will make one round-trip flight to KOA, OGG, and LIH per day.

Hawai‘i Bowl Team Charters

The 2017 Hawai‘i Bowl features the Fresno State Bulldogs (Mountain West Conference) versus the Houston Cougars (American Athletics Conference) on Sunday, December 24th. Both teams will be arriving on their own charter flights from their respective cities.

The Fresno State Bulldogs are chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243, N393HA "Lehuakona" (msn 1422), for its team charter from Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, CA [FAT] to HNL as HAL751.

The Houston Cougars are chartering an Atlas Air 767-324ER, N645GT (c/n 27393, l/n 571) for its team charter from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, TX [IAH] to HNL as GTI8413.

12.24.17 Update

The Houston Cougars returned to IAH on Atlas Air's N645GT as GTI8416. The Fresno State Bulldogs, who won the game, returned to FAT on Hawaiian Airlines' N384HA "Hōkūpa‘a" (msn 1259).

Scoot Launches Hawai‘i Service

Scoot [TR/TGW] (Singapore) launched service from Changi Airport, Singapore [SIN], via Kansai International Airport, Japan [KIX] this morning as TGW700. 9V-OFH "Scooti-mite" (c/n 37124, l/n 552), a 787-8, arrived this morning at 07:10, and returned as TGW701, three hours later.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82073

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82073 (c/n 9773054359139, l/n 07-06) made a stop at HNL today. It's flying from Huntsville, AL [HSV] to Brisbane, Australia [BNE] as ADB2303, with stops at SLC and HNL.

SilkAir's 9V-MBC

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MBC (c/n 44244, l/n 6643) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as SLK8880, and will overnight at LIH.

Urumqi Air's B-1323

Urumqi Air is taking delivery of B-1323 (c/n 60172, l/n 6724) today. This 737-8LP is making its delivery flight from BFI as B1323, and will overnight at HNL.

American Upguages PHX-HNL To A330-300

As mentioned last month, American Airlines has upguaged it's AAL692/693 flight between PHX and HNL to their A330-323s today. This will increase the seat count from 176 (C12Y164) in the former US Airways 757-200s, to 291 (C28Y263) in the A330-323.

Ruili Airlines' B-1596

Ruili Airlines is taking delivery of B-1596 (c/n 60463, l/n 6580) today. This 737-8ME is making its delivery flight from BFI as RLH1596, and will overnight at HNL. B-1596 made its first flight this past September, but its delivery was deferred to today.

Kamaka Air's N20325

Kamaka Air is taking delivery of N20325 (msn 208B2407), a Cessna C208BF "Grand Cargomaster", this afternoon. It's making its final leg of the trip from SMX. This will be Kamaka's fourth Caravan freighter to join their fleet.

China United Airlines' B-1312

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-1312 (c/n 63053, l/n 6712) today. This 737-89P is makings delivery flight from BFI as CUA1312, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern Airlines' B-1207

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1207 (c/n 63248, l/n 6598) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN107, and will overnight at HNL.

Alaska Airlines Launches SFO-KOA

Alaska Airlines launched daily service between San Francisco and Kona today, using Virgin America's A320-200s, and flight code (VRD1041/1042). This is Virgin America's third Hawaii destination.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Air China's B-1392

Air China is taking delivery of their second 737 MAX 8 in as many days. B-1392 (c/n 60877, l/n 6555) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA48, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-1395

Air China is taking delivery of B-1395 (c/n 60904, l/n 6582) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA80, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan Airlines' B-1375

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1375 (c/n 64843, l/n 6715) this afternoon. This 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1375, and will overnight at HNL. This is Hainan's third 737 delivery in as four days.

Jiangxi Air's B-1327

Jiangxi Air is taking delivery of  B-1327 (c/n 63685, l/n 6701) today. This 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CJX8989, and will overnight at HNL.

photo to follow ...

Samaritan's Purse N782SP

Samaritan's Purse DC-8-72CF, N782SP (c/n 46013, l/n 427), has made a stop at HNL this morning, as it arrived from Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong, Bangladesh [CGP] as NSP8. The Christian charity flew from Greensboro, NC [GSO] to CGP (via Shannon, Ireland [SNN]), to fly in relief supplies to Bangladesh to aid Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. N782SP is now on its way back to GSO.

46013 was originally built as a DC-8-62CF, delivered to Finnair in January 1969 as OH-LFR "Paavo Nurmi"; and re-registered as OH-LFT, three months later. In November 1981, it was acquired by the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) as F-RAFG, and was modified to a DC-8-72CF in June 1982. In June 2005, it was acquired by Cargo Aircraft Management, and leased to its Air Transport International (ATI) subsidiary as N721CX. In March 2015, Samaritan's Purse bought this DC-8-72, and registered as N782SP.

N732DF Crash On Moloka‘i

N732DF (msn U20604662), a Cessna U206G, owned by Dr. William Vogt, crashed on Moloka‘i today, four miles short of the Ho‘olehua Airport [MKK]. The Cessna departed HNL for MKK with two aboard. It's been reported that the passenger was Dr. Vogt's wife, Lynn.

The HNL RareBirds team expresses our condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the Vogt ‘ohana.

Further information in this KITV article.


Personal Note
I used to see N732DF parked on the General Aviation ramp abeam the Palekona Street parking lot.  It's plumeria lei livery made a distinctive aircraft on the ramp. I could never get a good shot of this Cessna 206, as the cabin and cockpit windows had a canvas covering, which would block out part of the livery.

Hainan Airlines' B-1372

Hainan Airlines is also taking delivery of B-1372 (c/n 64842, l/n 6710) today. This 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1372, and will overnight at HNL.

Aloha ‘Oe N681WP

Island Air's N681WP "Ola Kūpono" is making its ferry flight back to Toronto, Ontario, Canada [YYZ], via Point Mugu, CA [NTD] and Duluth, MN [DLH]. It's being ferried by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA433.

Hainan Airlines' B-1389

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1389 (c/n 62192, l/n 6672) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1389, and will overnight at HNL.

Island Air AOC Up For Sale

The Honolulu Star*Advertiser reports that as part of Island Air's bankruptcy proceedings, that the airline's Air Operating Certificate (AOC) is up for sale, and there are a couple of unnamed potential buyers. If the AOC is sold, it would allow another operator take over the certificate.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1383

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 today. B-1383 (c/n 61623, l/n 6542) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

N109JL In "Hawaiʻi Five-0" Episode

N109JL (msn 3109), a Linthicum Glassair III, owned by Benjamin Fouts of Kailua-Kona, HI, made an appearance in last night's episode of "Hawaiʻi Five-0". The episode had to do with an air racing pilot who crashed and the Five-0 team was asked to investigate the crash. N109JL was the aircraft flown by Commander Steve McGarrett in the episode. The "86", "Shadow Baron", and "Hammerade" markings were added for the episode. The above photo was taken while N109JL taxied on Taxiway C, while being filmed from the air by a Makani Kai helicopter with a ShotOver System camera mounted on the nose [top photo].

The new Makani Kai Air hangar was also used in the episode. Island Air's parked ATR72s could be seen in the background, along with a FedEx Feeder C208BF Grand Cargomaster.

Aloha ‘Oe N682WP

Southern Cross Aviation is ferrying N682WP "Na‘au Pono" from HNL to YYZ (via CMA and DLH) today, as SXA431. This is the second of three former Island Air Q400 NextGens to be ferried back to Bombardier.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1319

China Eastern Airlines is taking deliver of B-1319 (c/n 63765, l/n 6697) today. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9003, and will overnight at HNL.

Belair's HB-ISE

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back June 2005, and this Belair 767-3Q8ER, HB-ISE "Rondomondo" (c/n 27600, l/n 655), departing Runway 8R, on a charter flight.

27600 was purchased by ILFC, and originally leased to Air Europe [PE/AEL] (Italy) as EI-CNS. In May 2002, it was leased to Belair as HB-ISE. From its delivery to early 2005, it had green Belair titles. The titles were changed to orange (above) and lasted to 2008. In 2007, AirBerlin acquired Belair, and had painted the latter's fleet in a hybrid livery. This 767 was returned to ILFC in February 2010, and four months later, leased to ElAl Israel Airlines [LY/ELY] as 4X-EAK "Rehovot", where it currently flies.

ConAir's C-GVFK

ConAir's Avro RJ85 Firebomber C-GVFK (msn E2268) has made a stop at HNL en route to its summer forest firefighting assignment base in AVV [Avalon, Victoria, Australia], from YXX [Abbotsford, BC] via OAK, HNL, MAJ, and HIR.

Hainan Airlines' B-1347

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1347 (c/n 43429, l/n 6688) today. This 737-84P, their third delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1347, and will overnight at HNL.

Kunming Airlines' B-1331

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-1331 (c/n 63616, l/n 6675) today. This 737-8LY is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA1331, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1379

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1379 (c/n 61622, l/n 6521) today. This 737 MAX 8, their second delivery in three days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9672, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai Airlines' B-2566

Shanghai Airlines is ferrying B-2566 (c/n 35156, l/n 950) from PVG to the mainland, with a stop at HNL. This 767-36DER is making the flight as CSH9675.

B-2566 was delivered to Shanghai Airlines in December 2006, until it was withdrawn from service this past October.

N253PV

N253PV (msn 20800605), a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, is making its delivery flight from ICT [Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, KS] to ZQN [Queenstown Airport, New Zealand], with stops in COS, MCE, HNL, APW, and AKL. It will go to Air Milford, and be registered as ZK-SKY.

China Southern Airlines' B-1201

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1201 (c/n 63249, l/n 6625) today. This 737 MAX 8 is their third MAX delivery in two days, it is also their fourth total 737 delivery in the same time span. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1201, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern Airlines' B-1205

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1205 (c/n 63253, l/n 6677) today. This 737 MAX 8, their second delivery in as many days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN105, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-1396

Air China is taking delivery of B-1396 (c/n 60953, l/n 6508) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern Airlines B-1407

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1407 (c/n 63230, l/n 6669) today. This 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN107, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern Airlines' B-1206

Today, China Southern Airlines is taking delivery their first 737 MAX 8, with B-1206 (c/n 63245, l/n 6569). It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1206, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1382

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of their first 737 MAX 8 today. B-1382 (c/n 61621, l/n 6464) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

Okay Airways B-1338

Okay Airways is taking delivery of B-1338 (c/n 63620, l/n 6692) today. This 737-8KF is making its delivery flight from BFI as OKA1338, and will overnight at HNL.

China United Airlines' B-1311

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-1311 (c/n 63051, l/n 6689) today. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA311, and will overnight at HNL.

D-APGS

D-APGS (msn 3046), an A319-115ACJ owned by K-5 Aviation (Germany), made a stop at OGG today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The HNL RareBirds team wishes our American readers a Happy Thanksgiving!

BYU Team Charter

The Brigham Young University Cougars football team chartered a Delta Air Lines A330-300 for their road trip to Honolulu to face the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday.  N814NW (msn 806, f/n 3314) made the flight from SLC to HNL as DAL8913. The team will return to SLC following the game.

N683WP Ferried

Southern Cross Aviation is ferrying N683WP "Kūlana Pono" (msn 4554) from HNL to CMA. The former Island Air Q400 Next Gen is flying as SXA430. 

Mokulele Airlines' LNY Charters

Mokulele Airlines is operating a pair of Pilatus PC-12s, N92NG "Lāna‘i 2" (msn 1192) [top photo] and N439CM "Lāna‘i 1" (msn 1377) [above photo], on charter flights between HNL and LNY, on behalf the two resorts on Lāna‘i. Mokulele is using its MHO flight code on the flights, and is using AirSevice Hawaii for its passenger and ground handling at its south ramp facilities.

American Airlines PHX Changes

American Airlines will be making the following changes to their service between Phoenix, AZ and Honolulu:

27 November: AAL694/675 daily 757-200 service ends.

15 December: AAL692/693 to upgrade to daily A330-300 service from 757-200s. The flight originates in Charlotte, NC.

15 December:  AAL690/689 to operate 757-200 daily service until 07 January 2018.

Hainan Airlines' B-1390

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their first 737 MAX 8, B-1390 (c/n 62183, l/n 6616) today. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1390, and will overnight at HNL.

N346PH

N346PH (c/n 32740, l/n 1444), a 737-86N owned by GECAS, is ferrying from PVG to the mainland (via GUM), and is making a stop at HNL. It has been converted to a freighter at PVG.

32740 was originally leased to Futura in February 2004 as EC-ISL, until September 2008. During its time with Futura, it was sub-leased to Ryan International Airlines numerous times as N977RY. In May 2009, it was leased to Travel Service as OK-TVK until April 2017. It was sub-leased to Sunwing Airlines numerous times as C-FGVK.

Air Changan's B-1481

Air Changan [9H/CGN] (China) is taking delivery of B-1481 (c/n 60171, l/n 6678) today. This 737-86W is makings delivery flight from BFI as B1481, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin Australia's VH-YWD

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YWD "Tiramirakura" (c/n 41021, l/n 6664) today. This 737-8FE is making its delivery flight from BFI as VOZ9940, and will overnight at KOA.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1320

China Eastern Airlines is taking deliver of B-1320 (c/n 61690, l/n 6683) today. The 737-89P is makings delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

N202HA's Blessing

Hawaiian Airlines held a blessing ceremony for N202HA "Maile" this morning on HNL's south ramp. A red carpet was laid out on the tarmac up to the stairs truck.  Prior to the blessing, remarks to the media were made by Hawaiian Airlines President & CEO Mark Dunkerley, Airbus' Director of Sales Rebecca Lane, and Pratt & Whitney's Customer Fleet Director (Americas Region) Andrew Dolecki. 

After the remarks were made, the three joined Hawaiian Airlines Vice-President of Community Relations Debbie Nakanelua-Richards and Kahu Richard Kamanu from Kaumakapili Church at the top of the stairs, at the doorway of "Maile". To begin the blessing ceremony, Mrs. Nakanelua-Richards performed and ‘oli. Kahu Kamanu then led the group in prayer, and sprinkled a mix of Hawaiian salt and water around the doorway and into the cabin. A maile lei hung in the doorway, and to end the ceremony, Mark Dunkerley pulled on the lei to break the strand. The A321-271N fleet will be named after Hawaiian flowers and plants.

Employees from Hawaiian's corporate office came down to get their first look at "Maile", they had the opportunity to see the cabin interior.


Mark Dunkerley held a press conference in the cabin of their first A321neo to announce his retirement from Hawaiian Airlines that will take effect on 01 March 2018. Dunkerley will a 15-year run with the airline, that he took over before the airline entered bankruptcy in 2001, and led the airline to triple in size in its fleet, route networks, and employees.  He cited that his reason for leaving his position as President & CEO for family reasons, but will remain active in the local community, and will have more time to fly his personal aircraft, a Bunker Jungmann C.A.S.A 131. He selected Hawaiian Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer Peter Ingram to take the role of President & CEO.

photos to follow ...

Hawaiian Airlines' N202HA Comes Home

Hawaiian Airlines' first Airbus A321-271N (neo), N202HA "Maile" (msn 7917, f/n 202), arrived home at HNL today. The airline took delivery of N202HA on  October 27th, with its delivery flight going from XFW to PAE (via JFK), for completion of the cabin seats. It then spent the last three days at PDX, SFO, OAK, SAN, and LAX undergoing jet bridge training for the ground handling crews. This A321neo made its flight from LAX to HNL as HAL9907, and was towed to Gate 54 following its arrival.

Hainan Airlines' B-1346

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1346 (c/n 44396, l/n 6667) this afternoon. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1346, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1336

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1336 (c/n 63052, l/n 6674) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

Lion Air's PK-LQI

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-LQI (c/n 42997, l/n 6612) this evening. The 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto GUM.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 88th birthday today. To commemorate this occasion, the airline will place a time capsule at their new Charles I. Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility. 

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Also, their Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker returned from the mainland after it underwent a complete overhaul. Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley took Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden on a flight on the CH-300, which also flew with Alaska Airlines in the 1940s.

Further details in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Aloha ‘Oe Island Air

Island Air made its final flight this evening, MKU449 [OGG-HNL], as the 37-year-old airline will go into Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Liquidation. N683WP (msn 4554) made the last flight, which was greeted by applauding Island Air employees on the flightline. It was a sad end to the end of this airline.

Personal Note
Over the past 11 years, I was blessed to have shot photos for Island Air. It began with the re-brand after leaving the Aloha Air Group, and their first go-around with the Q400. Their 30th Anniversary celebration, the transition to the ATR72 and ownership change, and the return of the Q400 and another ownership change. It’s too bad another investor could not be found. Island Air will go in the books as Hawaii’s 2nd oldest airline to close its doors.

I have gotten to know a lot of great people at Island Air in those 11 years ... and my heart goes out to everyone of them. They are great people! I will miss seeing them around HNL … I will also miss their customer service which was always excellent, and the ground crew that would welcome arriving flights with shaka signs and waves, as well as the same for departing flights!

I am thankful that I was one of the very few aviation photogs, the folks at Island Air gave me permission to shoot photos from their second floor landing at their hangar, as well as on their ramp.

Island Air's N941WP Ferried

Aloha ‘oe to Island Air's N941WP "Manawanui" (msn 349), as it was ferried by Southern Cross Aviation to BGR, via CMA and SLN.

Fresno State Team Charter

The Fresno State University Bulldogs football team will be using Hawaiian Airlines as their team charter for their game against the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Saturday, November 11th. N580HA "Kolea" (c/n 28140, l/n 850), a 767-33AER, is making the non-stop flight from FAT as HAL701.

11.11.17 Update

The Bulldogs are returning to FAT aboard N581HA "Manu O Ku" (c/n 28141, l/n 853) as HAL702 following the game.

Island Air To Shutdown

Island Air announced this afternoon that they will be shutting down on Saturday, November 11th, with their last flight on Friday night. According to their press release, the airline sought bankruptcy protection from their aircraft lessors, but the lessors made aggressive legal moves that the airline could not afford to fight in court, thus causing the shutdown.

To accomodate Island Air's passengers, Hawaiian Airlines will honor the former's tickets from November 11-17, on a standby basis.

This ends the airline's 37-year run, that began as Princeville Airways with DHC-6 Twin Otters, and now ending with Bombardier Dash8-Q400s.