Sriwijaya Air's PK-CMF

Sriwijaya Ảir is ferrying PK-CMF "Kemurnian" (c/n 32885, l/n 1147) from CGK to MZJ, via GUM and HNL. This 737-86Q is being ferried by Jet Test as JTN347.

32885 was originally purchased by Bouillion Air Services, then leased to Hainan Airlines in June 2002 as B-2675. It was sold to Aviation Capital Group in June 2005, transferred, and painted in the 2007 livery. B-2675 was returned to ACG in August 2014. Three months later, it leased to Sriwijaya Air as PK-CMF. from March 2017 to March 2019, it was a logojet for MXGP of Indonesia.

Nauru Airlines' N732NA

Nauru Airlines 737-3U3, N732NA (c/n 28732, l/n 2966), is returning from MIA after it underwent freighter conversion. It stopped through HNL as VH-ONU, and will receive the same registration when it returns to Nauru. It made a stop at VNY before arriving at HNL, and will continue onto INU and BNE. This 737-300 is scheduled to ferry back as a freighter some time in May.

Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄

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

Con-Air's C-FFQE

Con-Air Aerial Firefighting's Dash8-Q400MR, C-FFQE (msn 4325, f/n 141), is returning to its YXX base.  It's making its way from BDB, via CNS, GUM, HNL, and OAK as FGD141. It arrived at HNL late last night.

American Airlines To Add CLT-HNL

American Airlines is going to restart the old short-lived US Airways service between CLT and HNL from May to September 2021. The seasonal six-times-per-week service will be flown with 777-200ERs.

In December 2009, US Airways launched daily service between CLT and HNL. The service lasted for about two years.

Hawaiian Airlines Takes The Rainbow Warriors Bowling

Hawaiian Airlines is flying the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team to DAL (via LAX) for their New Mexico Bowl matchup against the University of Houston Cougars on Christmas Eve. The game was moved to Frisco, TX due to the China Corona Virus pandemic situation in Albuquerque, NM. N215HA "Uhiuhi" (msn 8266) is making the flight as HAL776, and will return following the game as HAL777.

12.23.20 UPDATE

N215HA ferried from DAL to BIF [Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, TX] as HAL8932, and made a military charter flight to LEX as HAL1932, then returned to DAL as HAL9932.

ZIPAIR Tokyo Launches NRT-HNL Service

ZIPAIR Tokyo [ZG/TZP], Japan Airlines' international low-cost carrier off-shoot, began service to HNL from HNL as TZP2 this morning. The return flight left a few hours later as TZP1. JA825J (c/n 34835, l/n 33) made the inaugural service.

Virgin Australia Returns Two 737-8FEs

Virgin Australia is returning two 737-8FEs to Aviation Capital Group (ACG) today. They are making their ferry flights from BNE to the US mainland via GUM, MAJ, and HNL, by Jet Test [JTN].

N341CG (c/n 34441, l/n 2015), formerly VH-VUI "Kewarra Beach", is making its ferry flight as JTN335. VH-VUI was originally delivered to Virgin Blue as "Brandi Blue" in August 2006. It was sold to Goshawk Aviation in September 2014 and leased back. In February 2016, it was acquired ACG, and withdrawn from service in March 2020.

N343CG (c/n 34443, l/n 2056), formerly VH-VUJ "Rosebud Beach", is making its ferry flight as JTN336. VH-VUJ was originally delivered to Virgin Blue as "Suzzie Blue" in September 2006. It was sold to Goshawk Aviation in June 2014 and leased back. In January 2016, it was acquired ACG, and withdrawn from service in March 2020.

OE-IRE

OE-IRE (msn 1562), an A330-343, owned by BBAM, is being ferried from SIN to the mainland via GUM and HNL.

1562 was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in September 2014 as 9V-SSD, leased from BBAM. It was withdrawn from service in March 2020. It has since been painted all white.

Alliance Airlines' N974QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of their first Embraer ERJ-190AR, N974QQ (msn 19000174). It's making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, BNE, OAK, HNL and TRW [Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa, Kiribati]. It will be receive its Australian registry after arrival at BNE.

19000174 was originally delivered to Copa Airlines in May 2008 as HP-1567CMP, and flew with Copa until March 2020. Seven months later, it was acquired by TVPX Solutions as N974QQ.

UNLV Team Charter

The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) arrives this evening on a team chartered Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for tomorrow's game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N214HA is making the flight from LAS as HAL773. The team will return to LAS following the game as HAL774.

Hawaiian Airlines Announces Four New Routes

Hawaiian Airlines announced today, that they will add four new routes to their network beginning in March 2021. Beginning on March 9, 2021, Hawaiian will launch daily A321-271N service between OGG and LGB as HAL72/71. Two days later, the airline will launch twice-weekly A330-243 service between HNL and MCO [Orlando, FL] as HAL86/85. On March 16th, Hawaiian will re-launch service between HNL and ONT, with a five-times weekly A321-271N flights. On April 21st, Hawaiian will launch twice-weekly A330-243 service between HNL and AUS [Austin, TX].

From 2002 to 2004, Hawaiian had DC-10-10 service between HNL and ONT.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Allegiant Air's RP-C3261

Allegiant Air is taking delivery of its next A320-214, RP-C3261 (msn 4508). It's making its delivery flight from CAN to BQN (via MNL, GUM, HNL, and ONT) as CEB3261.

4508 was originally delivered to Cebu Pacific in December 2010 as RP-C3261, leased from Arena Aviation Capital. It was also painted in the current livery in 2016, and flew with Cebu Pacific until March 2020.

Interjet's VP-BJN

VP-BJN (msn 7348), a former Interjet A321-211, is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL and GUM. This A321 is owned by the BOC Aviation, and the third of three leased to Interjet ferried to SIN.

7348 was delivered to Interjet in October 2016 as XA-AJB, leased from BOC Aviation. It flew with Interjet until the end of March, and stored at VCV in April, due to the downturn in air travel from the China Corona Virus.

San José State Team Charter

With the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors road game to play the San José State University Spartans relocated to Hawai‘i, due to the China Corona Virus restrictions in Santa Clara County, CA, the Spartans are chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their game. N220HA is making the inbound flight rom OAK, as HAL747.

All Nippon Airways' JA8174

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features All Nippon Airways' 747-281B, JA8174 (c/n 23501, l/n 648), departing Runway 8R as it returns to NRT.

23501 was originally delivered to ANA in June 1986, and flew with the airline until 2005. From August 1989 to March 1990, ANA operated it for Australian Airlines.  In November 2005, it was bought by Air Universal as AP-BIC, and leased to Pakistan International Airlines in December 2006 for an unknown duration. In March 2008, it was acquired by Hellenic Imperial Airways as SX-TIC, and flew with the airline until 2016. After it was withdrawn from service, it was flown to KHI [Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan], where it currently sits in storage.

University of Nevada Team Charter

The University of Nevada Wolf Pack football team is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their Saturday evening road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N226HA is making the trip from RNO, with a stop as OAK, as HAL771. The Wolf Pack will return following the game as HAL772.

Tigerair Australia's VH-VNO

Tigerair Australia is returning VH-VNO (msn 4053) to GECAS. This A320-232 is ferrying from MEL to SBD, via PPG and HNL.

4053 was originally delivered to Tiger Airways [Singapore] in October 2009 as 9V-TAL, under lease from GECAS. In March 2010, it was transferred to Tiger Airways Australia as VH-VNO. In July 2013, the airline rebranded as Tigerair Australia. VH-VNO was sold to Avolon, and the lease continued with Tigerair Australia. Due the China Corona Virus pandemic, it was withdrawn from service, and stored at MEL.

Conair's C-GVFK

Conair's C-GVFK (s/n E2268, l/n 391) is making it's annual trip South for the Australian Summer Fire season.

Boise State Team Charter

The Boise State University Broncos is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243, N382HA, for their Saturday night road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N382HA is flying from BOI as HAL769, and will return the team to BOI as HAL770.

Southwest Airlines Announces Long Beach Service

As part of an announcement of new routes, Southwest Airlines will add service between LGB [Long Beach, CA] and HNL, that will start on March 11, 2021. The airline was awarded more slots at LGB after jetBlue Airlines surrendered all of their slots. This new service will compete against the two flights that Hawaiian Airlines has out of LGB.

Further details in this Southwest Airlines press release.

Allegiant Airlines' N286NV

Allegiant Airlines is taking delivery of its next A320-214, N286NV (msn 4447, f/n 286). It's making its delivery flight from HKG to BQN [Aguadilla, PR], via GUM, MAJ, HNL, and TUS. It's making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

4447 was originally delivered to Cebu Pacific in October 2010 as RP-C3260. In 2016, it was painted into the current livery, and flew with CEB until May 2020, then stored at CAN from July to October, when it was flown to HKG to repaint into the Allegiant livery.

FAA Clears The 737 MAX To Fly

Today, the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the way for airlines to resume 737 MAX 8, MAX 9, and MAX 10 service. All US carriers must update their flight crew and maintenance trainings before the airliners return to service. Many delivered and undelivered 737 MAXs have been in storage for the past 18 months following the two fatal accidents. In the US, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines currently have MAX variants. Alaska Airlines has MAX9s on order.

The European Union and Canadian aviation safety agencies are next up to re-certify the 737 MAX.

Boeing will also remove the MAX name from the 737, and each variant will be known as the 737-7, 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10.

Further information in this FAA news release, Boeing Mediaroom release, and Airways Magazine report.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 (c/n 19530502630, l/n 02-10), is making a stop tonight at HNL from NTL [Newcastle, Australia] via BNE as ADB3581. It will continue onto YMX.

Korean Air To Acquire Asiana Airlines

In a move to bolster South Korean commercial air travel, Korean Air announced today that they acquiring rival Asiana Airlines for over $1.6B USD. This merger would put the new Korean Air in the top ten in terms of airline size. The move by Korean Air's parent company Hanjin KAL, was partially due to the effects of the China Corona Virus pandemic on the airline industry as a whole. Prior to the pandemic, Asiana was experiencing financial troubles, and the current state of affairs made their situation much worse. This move should ensure the survivability of the South Korean airline industry, especially when it comes to international routes. The combined fleet will be over 250 aircraft with many common types.

Further details in this SamChui.com article.

Qantas 100

Qantas Airways celebrates its 100th anniversary today. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up in white and red LEDs as their 100th anniversary-liveried 787-9, VH-ZNJ (c/n 66074, l/n 929), made a pass above the bridge.

Video footage from SamChui.com.

Qantas has been a mainstay at HNL for decades from SYD.

Hawaiian Airlines To Keep 717-200s

Hawaiian Airlines plans to keep the 717-200 as the backbone of its inter-island fleet until at least mid-decade, or into the latter part of the decade. In an article at SimpleFlying.com, the airline said the 717 is the best airliner for the operation, and with the current environment, the airline has not begun to look for a replacement.

Starlux Airlines Proposes A TPE-HNL Route

Starlux Airlines, Taiwan's newest airline, was granted new international routes with A350-900s and A350-1000s possibly beginning in 2022. One of the routes announced was Honolulu. Service would be with A350-900s, and would be competing with China Airlines' A350-900s.

Further information in this CH-Aviation.com article.

Northern Air Cargo's N379CX

Northern Air Cargo is ETOPS testing one of its 767-300ERFs, N379CX (c/n 25199, l/n 433) from MIA as NAC9001/9002.

India Navy's N490DS

The Indian Navy is taking delivery of their eighth P-8I (737-8F.V), N490DS (c/n 64890, l/n 7757). It's making its delivery flight from BFI to India as BOE231, and is making an overnight stop at HNL

Interjet's VP-BJT

VP-BJT (msn 7358), a former Interjet A321-211 leased from BOC is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL and GUM, similar to sister-ship VP-BJK. It delivered to Interjet in October 2016 as XA-GEO, and was returned to BOC in March 2020.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 91st anniversary of its first flight today.

Hawaiian Flies New Mexico Team Charter

Hawaiian Airlines is flying the team charter for the University of New Mexico Lobos football team for their game on Saturday, in Honolulu against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N393HA "Lehuakona" (msn 1422, f/n 393) is making the trip from LAS to HNL, and the A330-243 is flying as HAL767, due arrive this evening. The team will return to LAS following the game, late Saturday night as HAL768.

Due to a surge of COVID cases in Albuquerque, NM, the Lobos have relocated to Las Vegas to practice, and play home games at the Sam Boyd Silverbowl for this season.

11.08.20 UPDATE

N393HA made the return trip to LAS.

Aloha Air Cargo's N361NC Flown To OPF

Aloha Air Cargo, and it's parent company Saltchuk Corporation, has ferried N361NC (c/n 23260, l/n 1146) from HNL to OPF, via OAK. This 737-301SF is being ferried for storage, as it's being put up for sale.

Mitsubishi Suspends SpaceJet Program

CH-Aviation.com reports that the Mitsubishi SpaceJet (formerly the MRJ) program will be suspended until mid-decade partially due to the China Corona Virus pandemic and the certification process. Mitsubishi hopes to restart program in 2024.

Delta Air Lines' N837MH

Our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back December 2005 with Delta Air Lines' 767-432ER, N837MH (c/n 29710, l/n 820, f/n 1813), wearing the "Colors In Motion" livery, departing Runway 22L.

N837MH was delivered to Delta in December 2000, and continues to fly for the airline. In spring 2010, it was painted to the current livery.

Interjet's VP-BJK

VP-BJK (msn 7311), a former Interjet A321-211, is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL, and GUM. It's making an overnight stop at HNL. The former XA-JPB, is an A321 is owned by BOC, and was leased to Interjet in autumn 2016, and returned in March 2020.

Alliance Airlines' N922QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of their first Embraer ERJ-190AR, N922QQ (msn 19000222). It's making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, HNL and TRW [Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa, Kiribati]. It will be registered as VH-UYZ after arrival at BNE.

19000222 was originally delivered to Copa Airlines in November 2008 as HP-1569CMP, and flew with Copa until March 2020. Seven months later, it was acquired by TVPX Solutions as N922QQ.

Hawaiian Airlines To Push Back 787-9 Deliveries

Hawaiian Airlines announced in their third quarter financial report that they will push back the deliveries of their 787-9 order with the first aircraft to now be delivered in September 2022. The ten ordered will deliver through 2026.

‘Ohana To Continue EAS Service

According to a Hawaii News Now report, Hawaiian Airlines will extend ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger and cargo service between HNL and MKK, and HNL and LNY as part of Essential Air Service requirements by the USDOT into mid-January 2021. Service beyond mid-January will be decided later.

N413JG Mainland Charters

TransAir's 737-2Q8/Adv, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), has ferried to ADM [Ardmore, OK], via SBD, for charter flight work around the mainland.

N902NZ

Airwork NZ is taking delivery of a 737-4D7F, N902NZ (c/n 28702, l/n 2978). It's flying from MIA to AKL, via MCC, HNL and PPG as JTN250.

28702 was originally delivered to Thai Airways International in January 1998 as HS-TDL "Srikarn", and flew with Thai until August 2008. Less than a year later, in June 2009, it was acquired by Tatarstan Air as VQ-BDB, and flew until November 2013, where it was stored at SAW. In June 2014, it was bought by Blue Air as YR-BAQ, and flew until October 2018. A month later it was acquired by Airwork NZ, and stored at ROW as it awaited freighter conversion, which began this past February at MIA.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian To Suspend Operations

Hawaiian Airlines announced that it would suspend operations of its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger and cargo services on November 1, 2020. Citing decreased demand due to the China Corona Virus pandemic, and the state's quarantine restrictions, the airline was forced to suspend operations of it subsidiary until significant demand for inter-island travel to MKK and LNY picks up.

Further information is in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Asia Pacific Airlines To Add Its Fourth 757-200F

Asia Pacific Airlines has acquired its fourth 757-200F, N754CS (c/n 24845, l/n 300). This 757-260PF is currently at MIA, being prepped for delivery. It will be the airline's first pure 757-200 freighter, as their current three were pax-to-cargo conversions. It's scheduled to be delivered in late November, and not known if the registration will be changed when the acquisition is complete.

24845 was originally delivered to Ethiopian Airlines Cargo in August 1990 as ET-AJS. In October 2006, it was painted in the airline's current livery. It was withdrawn from service in June 2018, and stored at ADD [Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia]. In November 2018, it was ferried to MIA, and a month later, sold to CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing.

Thai Airway's HS-TKQ

 A Boeing 777-3ALER of Thai Airways made a brief stop to Hickam on it's way to Alexandria, IL operating as a military charter from Bangkok. HS-TKQ (s/n 41526, l/n 1129) made the return trip on Saturday, stopping for fuel in HIK.

OE-IAS

OE-IAS (msn 3357), an A320-232 owned by Avolon, is making a ferry flight from CGK to TUS, via GUM and HNL. It made an overnight stop at HNL last night.

3357 was originally delivered to IndiGo in January 2008 as VT-INP, leased from Allco Aviation. In January 2011 was sold to HKAC, and its lease transferred. In January 2016, it was sold to Avolon. VT-INP flew with IndiGo until November 2019, when it was withdrawn from service, and stored at CGK.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-5105

Our October edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Shenzhen Airlines' 737-97L, B-5105 (c/n 33646, l/n 1764), seen above departing Runway 8R on its delivery flight in August 2005, in the original livery.

B-5105 was originally delivered in August 2005. In late 2008, it repainted in to the current livery. In October 2017, it was sold to Xiamen Leasing, and leased back. B-5105 continues to fly with Shenzhen.

Sun Country Military Charters

Sun Country Airlines 737-800s have been flying between NGF [Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, Kāne‘ohe Bay] and KOA to transport US Marines on a training exercise at the Pohakuloa Range.

Allegiant Air's RP-C3238

Allegiant Air is taking delivery of RP-C3238 (msn 5067), as it transits from CGK to SFB. This A320-214 was acquired from Cebu Pacific Air. It will be registered as N285NV at SFB.

RP-C3238 was delivered to Cebu Pacific Air in March 2012, leased from RBC. Three months later, it was sold to SMBC, and flew with Cebu Pacific until this past February, where it was stored at CGK.

OE-IAI

OE-IAI (msn 1356), a former Asiana Airlines A321-131, is ferrying from ICN (via CRK, GUM, and HNL) to SBD. It's on a lease return flight to lessor Avalon, and making an overnight stop at HNL. It will leave for SBD later today.

1356 was originally delivered to Asiana Airlines in November 2000 as HL7594, under lease from CIT. In April 2017, it was sold to Avolon, and the lease transferred. It flew with Asiana until May 2020.

OE-IAI departed HNL this afternoon, but returned after a mechanical issue.

10.20.20 UPDATE
OE-IAI departed HNL this morning for SJC.

10.21.20 UPDATE

OE-IAI departed SJC for HDO [South Texas Regional Airport, Hondo, TX].

Armée de L'Air's F-RBAQ

The Armée de L'Air's (French Air Force) F-RBAQ (msn 102) is making an overnight stop at HNL from TUS as CTM1542. This A400M-180  flight originated from ORE [Bricy Airport, Orleans, France], and is headed to PPT. It also made stops at YYT [St. John's International Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada], and TUS [Tucson, AZ].

Mokulele Airlines Acquires N2150

Mokulele Airlines' parent company, Southern Airways, has acquired N2150 (msn 208B5054) from Big Island Air. This colorful C208B Grand Caravan has the Mokulele flower logo placed on the nose section where the BIA logo once was, and subdued Mokulele titles on the fuselage. There's also a "Operated by Southern Airways Express" decal by the right passenger entry door.

It's also been reported that Mokulele is now flying under the Southern Airways Express Operating Certificate. Mokulele has already been using its parent company's 9X/FDY flight code.

Conair's C-GVFT

Conair is ferrying C-GVFT (msn E2253) from its base at Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada [YXX] to Australia for its summer firefighting season. This RJ85 arrived from OAK yesterday afternoon. It will continue onto MAJ, HIR, BNE, and DBO [Dubbo City Airport, Dubbo, Australia].

Fiji Airways Retires DQ-FJF

Fiji Airways has retired its lone 737-7X2, DQ-FJF "Island of Koro" (c/n 28878, l/n 96). This 737 was quite the frequent visitor to HNL as Fiji Airways (and previously Air Pacific) used it on the NAN-CXI-HNL, and the NAN-APW-HNL routes. It's making its retirement / lease return flight from NAN to MME [Teeside International Airport, Darlington, UK], via HNL, LAX, and BGR as FJI2002. Fiji Airways had a retirement event that they posted on their Instagram page.

DQ-FJF was delivered to Air Pacific in September 1998, named "Island of Koro". It remained in the fleet when the airline was rebranded as Fiji Airways. In September 2017, FJF was sold to Willis Lease, and leased back. It was withdrawn from service earlier this month.

Glenorchy Air's N879UT

Glenorchy Air [New Zealand] is taking delivery of N879UT (msn 208B5563). This Cessna C208B Grand Caravan is making its delivery flight from ICT [Eisenhower Airport, Wichita, KS] to ZQN [Southern Alps, Queenstown, New Zealand], via SOW [Show Low, AZ], MCE [Merced Municipal Airport, Merced, CA], HNL, PPG, and AKL. This is the airline's first Grand Caravan, and will be registered as ZK-MMZ in New Zealand.

Virgin Australia Returns Five 737-8FEs

Virgin Australia is returning five of their 737-8FEs to AerCap. Combined with the airline's financial issues, with the China Corona Virus pandemic, they are in the process of thinning out the fleet as they reorganize, and in the process of new ownership.  CH-Aviation reports that Bain Capital will acquire Virgin Australia Holdings, as it received approval from its creditors. The five 737-8FEs are flying from BNE to GYR (via HIR and HNL), ferried by Jet Test crews, are making fuel stops at HNL today.

2-VYFG, formerly VH-YFG "Hanson Bay" (c/n 40999, l/n 3941), is making its ferry flight as JTN258. It was delivered to Virgin Australia in February 2012, under lease from ILFC. AerCap acquired the lease in May 2014.

2-VYFI, formerly VH-YFI "Porpoise Bay" (c/n 41000, l/n 3963) is making its ferry flight as JTN269. It was delivered to Virgin Australia in March 2012, under lease from ILFC. AerCap acquired the lease in May 2014.

2-VYFN, formerly VH-YFN "Ballina Beach" (c/n 41009, l/n 4456) is making its ferry flight as JTN270. It was delivered to Virgin Australia in May 2013, under lease from ILFC. AerCap acquired the lease in May 2014.

2-VYFP, formerly VH-YFP "Nobby's Beach" (c/n 41011, l/n 4476) is making its ferry flight as JTN271. It was delivered to Virgin Australia in June 2013, under lease from ILFC. AerCap acquired the lease in May 2014.

2-VYFQ, formerly VH-YFQ "Whiting Beach" (c/n 41010, l/n 4494) is making its ferry flight as JTN272. It was delivered to Virgin Australia in June 2013, under lease from ILFC. AerCap acquired the lease in May 2014.