Virgin Australia's VH-YFZ

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YFZ (c/n 41005, l/n 6551) today. The 737-8FE is making its delivery flight from BFI as VOZ9940, and will overnight at KOA (the airline normally makes its Hawai‘i stop at LIH).

VH-YFZ is the 29th 737 to deliver thru Hawai‘i this month, a new record! Since we've begun tracking monthly numbers in 2013, this month breaks the 24 deliveries set in October 2015, and tied that same December.

9 Air's B-1592

9 Air is taking delivery of B-1592 (c/n 61357, l/n 6230) today. The 737-86X, their second delivery in four days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as JYH1592, and will overnight at HNL. B-1592 had its first flight this past January, and had since been placed in short-term storage at BFI.

Xiamen Air's B-1456

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1456 (c/n 42951, l/n 6552) today. The 737-85C, their second delivery in five days, is making its delivery from BFI as CXA8499, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin America Upgrades SFO-HNL To A321neo

Beginning today, Virgin America has upgraded their SFO-HNL [VRD51/50] service from the A320-214(ceo) to the A321-253N(neo). N921VA "neo kid on the block" (msn 7589) has been scheduled for the next few days.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' RA-76951

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' IL76-90VD, RA-76951(c/n 2073421704, l/n 93-06), is making a stop at HNL, as it makes a cargo flight from LFT [Paul Fournet Field, Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette, LA] to POM [Port Moresby Jackson International Airport, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea] as VDA2244. It also made a stop at IWA [Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, AZ], before arriving at HNL.

photo to follow ...

Mokulele To End Unsubsidized Hāna Service

CH-Aviation reports that Mokulele Airlines will end non-subsidized service to Hāna, Maui [HNM], however, no exact date was given. The airline had a partnership with a resort in Hāna, which has since ended.

Virgin Australia's VH-VPE

A Virgin Australia 777-3ZGER diverted into Honolulu the last night due to a medical issue. VH-VPE "Noosa Heads Beach" (c/n 37939, l/n764) was operating as VA24 from LAX to MEL. It remained overnight due to crew duty hours, and departed for MEL on Sunday, as VA9550.

9 Air's B-1472

9 Air is taking delivery of B-1472 (c/n 61360, l/n 6449) today. The 737-86X is making its delivery flight from BFI as JYH1472, and will overnight at BFI.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1452

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1452 (c/n 65456, l/n 6545) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at BFI.

Coulson Air Tanker's N405LC

Wearing it's firefighting uniform, this L-100-30 (L-382G) belonging to Coulson Air Tanker flew in from Oakland last night. N405LC (cn 382-5025) previously flew with Lynden Air Cargo and was taken up and converted by Coulson in late 2014.

Lion Air's PK-LQG

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-LQG (c/n 42995, l/n 6448) this afternoon. The 737-MAX8, their second delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

China Southern Airlines' B-1400

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1400 (c/n 63244, l/n 6544) today. The 737-81B, their third delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN100, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1308

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1308 (c/n 63762, l/n 6539) today. The 737-89P, their third delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Donghai Airlines' B-1590

Donghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1590 (c/n 61275, l/n 6275) this afternoon. The 737-83Z is making its delivery flight from BFI as EPA296, and will overnight at HNL. B-1590 was delivered to Donghai on March 31st, but it's acceptance was deferred, and was placed into storage at BFI.

China United Airlines' B-1470

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-1470 (c/n 63045, l/n 6523) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA470, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong Airlines' B-1442

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1442 (c/n 61437, l/n 6541) this morning. The 737-85N, their second delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1442, and will overnight at HNL.

Western Global Airlines' N356KD

During this past week, Western Global Airlines' 747-446F, N356KD (c/n 26356, l/n 1026), has been substituting on Kalitta Air's service between HNL and LAX [CKS369/368].

26356 was originally delivered to Japan Airlines in March 1994 as JA8911. In December 2007, it was converted to a freighter for JAL Cargo. In December 2010, it was acquired by Atlas Air as N356NA, and re-registered as N458MC four months later. It flew with Atlas until August 2015. Three months later Western Global Airlines bought this 747, and registered it as N356KD. It still wears the blue aft section of its former owner.

China Southern Airlines' B-1408

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1408 (c/n 63235, l/n 6536) today. The 737-81B, their second delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN408, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1421

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1421 (c/n 41508, l/n 6533) today. The 737-89P, their third delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-1477

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1477 (c/n 61119, l/n 6540) this morning. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ918, and will overnight at HNL.

Samoa Airways To Lease A 737MAX

CH-Aviation reports that Samoa Airways will lease a 737MAX from the Icelandair Group, and plans to launch operations beginning in November. Icelandair has 16 MAXs on order.

Hainan Airlines' B-1493

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1493 (c/n 43428, l/n 6537) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1493, and will overnight at HNL. This is Hainan's third 737 delivery this month.

Urumqi Airlines' B-1322

Urumqi Airlines is taking delivery of B-1322 (c/n 60168, l/n 6525) today. The 737-8LP is making its delivery flight from BFI as B1322, and will overnight at HNL.

B-1322 is also the 100th 737 delivery flight to stop through Hawai‘i this year.

Hebei Airlines' B-1447

Hebei Airlines is taking delivery of B-1447 (c/n 42975, l/n 6504) today. The 737-8LW is making its delivery flight from BFI as HBH1447, and will overnight at HNL.

US Army UH-60A Missing Off Ka‘ena Point

A Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk from the US Army's 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Wheeler Army Airfield, with five aboard is missing two miles off of Ka‘ena Point. Search teams from the US Army, US Coast Guard, and the Honolulu Fire Department are scanning the area. The Blackhawk was one of two on a night training mission from Wheeler Army Airfield [HHI], and were flying between Dillingham Airfield [HDH] and Ka‘ena Point. The Ka‘ena Point State Park is closed on both the Mokule‘ia and Keawa‘ula sides while the search continues.

The HNL RareBirds team sends out thoughts and prayers to those aboard the helicopter, their families, and their unit.

Further details in this KHON News report.

Cathay Pacific's B-KQF

Cathay Pacific's flight CPA885 had to make an unknown stop at HNL from LAX today. The HKG-bound 777-367ER, B-KQF (c/n 41428, l/n 1101) arrived this afternoon, and departed early this evening for TPE.

United Airlines' N76055

N76055 (c/n 29450, l/n 826), the Star Alliance-liveried 767-424ER for United Airlines, arrived today from IAD as UAL145, and later returned to IAD as UAL144.

Okay Airways' B-1420

Okay Airways is taking delivery of B-1420 (c/n 41115, l/n 6401) today. The 737-9KFER is making its delivery flight from BFI as OKA1420, and will overnight at HNL. It's first flight was in May, but has been in short-term storage at BFI.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 144617

The Royal Canadian Air Force's 144617 (msn 5533), made a stop at HNL. The Bombardier CC-144C (Challenger 604) is used as a VIP transport. When transporting their Prime Minister within Canada, it's call-sign is "CanForce1". This CC-144C was delivered to the RCAF in December 2002.

Hainan Airlines' B-1491

Hainan Airlines' B-1491 (c/n 63613, l/n 6520), is the second of two 737-84P deliveries today. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1491, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan Airlines' B-1492

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1492 (c/n 60693, l/n 6527) today. The 737-84P, the first of two deliveries today, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1492, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong Airlines' B-1441

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of b-1441 (c/n 61436, l/n 6526) this morning. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1441, and will overnight at HNL.

Japan Airlines' JA734J

Japan Airlines has had its third logojet, JA734J (c/n 32433, l/n 527) stop at HNL today from NRT as JAL780. It's wearing the Sky Eco special decals, which is in cooperation with the United Nations "Decade of Biodiversity". It returned to NRT as JAL789.

Lion Air's PK-LQH

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-LQH (c/n 42996, l/n 6441) tonight. The 737 MAX8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make a brief fuel stop before continuing onto GUM.

Virgin America's N921VA

Virgin America's first A321-253N(neo), N921VA "neo kid on the block" (msn 7589, f/n 921), made a stop at HNL today as VRD51 from SFO. It was the first flight to HNL by an A321neo. It returned a few hours later to SFO as VRD50.

With only two A321neos, and a third on order, it may be sometime before Virgin America uses the LEAP-1A powered A321 on their Hawai‘i service.

Japan Airlines' JA731J

Japan Airlines' PGA (Professional Golf Association ) Tour 777-346ER logojet, JA731J (c/n 32431, l/n 429), made a stop at HNL from NRT as JAL780, and returned to NRT as JAL789. This is the second JAL logojet at HNL this week.

China Southern Airlines' B-1409

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1409 (c/n 63243, l/n 6516) this afternoon. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN409, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-1478

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1478 (c/n 61127, l/n 6514) today. The 737-87L, their second in two weeks, is making its delivery flight as CSZ1478, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1317

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1317 (c/n 43901, l/n 6519) this morning. The 737-89P, their second delivery within three days, is making its delivery flight as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL.

Japan Airlines' JA733J Jet-Kei LogoJet

Japan Airlines' 777-346ER "Jet-Kei" logojet made a stop at HNL yesterday, as JAL780 from NRT. The artwork in the aft section is of Japanese professional tennis player Kai Nishikori. It returned to NRT as JAL789, a few hours later.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1453

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1453 (c/n 61698, l/n 6510) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1307

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1307 (c/n 63761, l/n 6513) today. The 737-89P, their second delivery in the past eight days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-1455

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1455 (c/n 42950, l/n 6518) this morning. The 737-85C, their second delivery within one week, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8099, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPR

Virgin Australia is ferrying VH-ZPR "Dundee Beach" (msn 19000424) from BNE to BNA, via APW, HNL, and VNY, as VOZ9901.

VP-BBW

VP-BWW (c/n 30076, l/n 179), a 737-7BJ BBJ owned by Gama Aviation, has made a stop at HNL.

30076 was originally delivered to Atlas Air in January 1999 as N374MC, and was the VIP transport for then CEO Michael Chowdry. Five months later, it was re-registered as N737MC. In May 2001, it was registered as VP-CZT, and in September 2002 registered as P4-CZT. After Chowdry's death in 2001, Atlas Air sold the BBJ to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest in December 2002. Later that month, it was sold to Gama Aviation as VP-BBW. In late 2006, it was painted in its current livery.

Armée de l'Air's F-RBAG

F-RBAG "Ville de Cambrai" (msn 0019), an A400M-180 of the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force), made a stop at HNL from Noumea, New Caledonia [NOU], and will continue onto Chicago-O'Hare [ORD], then to their base in France.

photo to follow ...

AAL192's Double Diversion

Today's American Airlines flight, AAL192 from HKG to LAX, made two flight diversions that took it to PVG and HNL. The aircraft used was N735AT (c/n 32439, l/n 1371, f/n 7LV), a 777-323ER. The PVG diversion was due to an ill passenger, and the HNL diversion was due the duty time reaching its maximum, and going to LAX would exceed that. After arriving at HNL, the passengers and crew were put up in hotel. The HNL-LAX segment is scheduled for tomorrow morning as AAL9240.

Further details in this blog post.

Delta Air Lines' N833MH

Our August edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Delta Air Lines' 767-432ER, N833MH (c/n 29706, l/n 810, f/n 1809) in a July 2004 photo, as it departed Runway 8R to ATL. Delta used to use their 767-400s at HNL from LAX and ATL.

This 767-432ER was delivered to Delta in October 2000, in the above livery, and continues to fly with the airline in the current livery.