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B-2566 was delivered to Shanghai Airlines in December 2006, until it was withdrawn from service this past October.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

United Bids Aloha ‘Oe To The 747

United Airlines flew their final Boeing 747 passenger flight today from SFO to HNL as UAL747. N118UA (c/n 28811, l/n 1201, f/n 8418) made the momentous flight filled with a mix of United employees, passengers, and media. There was a huge pre-boarding event at the United Terminal at SFO, and employees lined up alongside the airliner, waving as it pushed out on to the taxiway. Following take-off, it made a pass over the Golden Gate Bridge, before crossing the Pacific Ocean. 

United used Gate 33 for the arrival, which was decorated with commemorative large banners, a giant thank you card for UAL747's passengers and crew, HNL Station employees, and anyone else wanting to wish the 747 farewell. N118UA's approach into HNL was preceded by a pass above Maui with views of Hawai‘i Island, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Kaho‘olawe. Minutes before landing, rain showers enveloped HNL, and the 747-422 landed on Runway 8L with a Hawaiian blessing. The rain lasted until the ground crew draped a bright orange lei around the front of the Boeing Jumbo Jet.

Everyone deplaning received an orchid lei fro HNL Station employees, and there was a Hawaiian music group and hula dancers who performed for the passengers. There was also a cake to commemorate the 747's farewell. Speeches were made by Hawai‘i Governor David Ige, State Senator Lorraine Inouye, and Boeing's Bruce Dickenson among others.

After the celebration was done, N118UA was towed across the airport, from Gate 33 to the United Airlines Hangar, where it was parked at the opening of the hangar, for an employee party that was held inside the hangar.

N118UA is scheduled to return to SFO tomorrow, and will be ferried to VCV on Thursday, where it will be placed into storage.

photos to follow ...

Aloha Air Cargo's N399CM

Aloha Air Cargo is wet-leasing N399CM (c/n 25451, l/n 498), a 767-323ERF, from Cargo Air Management. It's been ferried from ROW [Roswell, NM] to ILN [Wilmington, DE] before making its way to HNL. The 767, using the Air Transport International flight coding [8C/ATN], was ferried to LAX to begin service this past Sunday, where it made the first flight to HNL yesterday as ATN7001. It will make its return to LAX this evening as ATN7002.

According to Skyliners, Cargo Air Management's holding company Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) is leasing three 767-300ERFs to Northern Air Cargo Group on seven-year contracts. One will be going to Aloha Air Cargo, another to Strat Air [Florida], and the third to Northern Air Cargo. There is also an option for a fourth 767-300ERF.

25451 was originally delivered to American Airlines in May 1993 as N382AN (f/n 382). In January 2010, it had Blended Winglets installed, and flew with American until November 2016. Cargo Aircraft Management acquired this 767-323ER in March 2017, and had it converted to a freighter in Tel Aviv, Israel, the next month.

Okay Airways' B-1337

Okay Airways is taking delivery of B-1337 (c/n 63618, l/n 6663) this morning. This 737-8KF is making its delivery flight from BFI as OKA1337, and will overnight at BFI.

SilkAir 9V-MBB

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MBB (c/n 44240, l/n 6589) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as SLK8880, and will overnight at LIH.

Air China's B-1397

Air China is taking delivery of their first 737 MAX 8 this morning. B-1397 (c/n 60872, l/n 6490) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 90-1058

In honor of Veteran's Day (November 11th), our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to October 2004, and the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's C-130H2 Hercules, 90-1058 (msn 382-5241), as it was on static display at the "Blues On The Bay" air show at Marine Corps Air Field Kāneʻohe Bay. This C-130H2 was assigned to the 204th Airlift Squadron "Nā Manu Ikaika" / 154th Wing at the time.

90-1058 was originally delivered to the Georgia Air National Guard in the early 1990s. It was re-assigned to the Hawai‘i Air National Guard in the mid-1990s, where it served until 2006, when the 204th transitioned to the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III. The fate of 90-1058 is unknown, if it was reassigned, or if it's sitting in storage at AMARG.