China Southern's B-5190

China Southern Airlines' B-5190 (c/n 35366), a 737-81B, is making its way across the Pacific on its delivery flight.

It's seen here beginning its taxi to Runway 8R as CSN519 to MAJ.

Next JAL 737-800 Delivery Flight

The next 737 for JAL, JA303J, will be passing through HNL on April 12. ETA from BFI is 1930. The aircraft is scheduled to overnight and leave for MAJ on April 13 at 1400. So far I've missed the previous 2 deliveries and looks like I will miss this one as well.

Moloka‘i Air Shuttle To Close Its Doors

On April 1st (no joke), Moloka‘i Air Shuttle is shutting down it's operations between HNL and Moloka‘i's two airports MKK (Moloka‘i / Ho‘olehua Airport) and LUP (Kalaupapa Airport), and intra-island service as well after an FAA investigation that would force the charter carrier to change to a scheduled operator.

One of Moloka‘i Air Shuttle's Piper PA-31-350s, N27877 (msn 317952019), is seen here taxiing to its HNL facilities.

Here's a link to the article appearing in The Star-Bulletin.

Harmony Airways To Cease HNL

A bit of sad news to report ... ATWOnline reports that Harmony Airways (HQ/HMY) will be ceasing all scheduled flights from April 9th. That includes the daily flight from YVR (Vancouver, BC), as well as weekly flights from YYC (Calgary, AB), YYJ (Victoria, BC), and YLW (Kelowna, BC). HQ's stoppage will also affect OGG as well.

Will either Air Canada (AC/ACA) or WestJet Airlines (WS/WJA) use this as an opportunity to expand services in Hawai‘i?

HQ's C-GTSN (c/n 24543), a 757-28A, is seen here putting on the brakes on HNL's Runway 4R.

Aloha ‘Oe N807WP

Island Air's N807WP (msn 023), a Dash8-103, is in the process of being parted out, as it has been retired from the WP fleet.

It's seen here in a photo from August 2005, as it sat on the Island Air ramp.

All-white 727-200F

This 727-225F, N8887Z (c/n 21856), was being ferried through HNL by Southern Cross. It left HNL and headed for MAJ. This aircraft started out flying for Eastern Airlines, and has been flying for Custom Air Transport for many years.

Hau‘oli La Hanau HNL!

Happy 80th Birthday to Honolulu International Airport! Originally named as John Rodgers Airport, HNL remains a gateway to the Pacific. Our airport will soon be undergoing some short-range and long-range renovations.

This photo was taken from an HA 712 while taxiing to the Inter-Island Terminal in 2005.

Air China's B-5313

Air China's newest 737-8Q8, B-5313 (c/n 30716) will get to spend the night at HNL before going onto MAJ tomorrow morning. It arrived earlier today as CCA058.

Google's N2767

Google.com's own corporate jet is an ex-Qantas 767-238ER, N2767 (c/n 23896), and is in town today. While it served with Qantas, it was registered as VH-EAQ. Look at the shiny leading edge surfaces ...

Eastland Air Twin Otter

A Twin Otter being flown down to Australia by Southern Cross Aviation. Reg must be temporary for it once belong to a AA DC-10. This flight originated from California and my guess would be that its on its way down under. (Real reg and c/n unknown)

Nomad's Super 27

Nomad Super 27 (727M/22541) was in town today. Not sure why its here, if anybody knows anything do tell.

Shandong Airlines' B-5321

Shandong Airlines' (SC/CDG) newest 737-8AL, B-5321 (c/n 35073), completed its first leg of its island hopping delivery flight to China. B-5321 is operating for Shandong under lease from SALE (Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise). It's seen here a few hours after making its flight from BFI.

Air China's B-5312

Air China's B-5312 (c/n 29374), a 737-8Q8, gets to overnight at HNL after arriving from BFI as CCA058. It's seen here in the late afternoon light.

HeliUSA's N354NT Down

HeliUSA's N354NT (msn 1168), an Aerospatiale A-Star AS350BA Ecreuil, crashed when it tried to do an emergency landing at the Princeville Airport, on the island of Kaua‘i.

This helicopter used to fly air tours around O‘ahu, as the HeliUSA fleet are rotated between Kaua‘i and O‘ahu. N354NT is seen here in a photo from Chika's Aviation World, who took this during her visit in May of last year at HNL. Chika-san, doomo arigato gozaimasu!

Here is the The Honolulu Advertiser article link.

Our prayers go out to those involved in the crash, and their families as well.

PK-GZC's Hawai‘i Ties

The Garuda Indonesia Airlines 737-497, PK-GZC (c/n 25664) that crashed today at Yogyakarta, Indonesia, was initially delivered to Aloha Airlines as N402AL in November 1992. It was returned to the leasing company, GECAS in 1996. -_97 was the Boeing Customer Code for Aloha Airlines.

Our prayers go out to those (and their families) were on-board PK-GZC.

MyTravel Round the World Tour

This aircraft, G-OMYT, is flying a 23-day round the world tour for Airtours. It started out from Manchester, UK for New York and then to Las Vegas. MYT6403 arrived here from Las Vegas yesterday, March 3rd, on day 5 of the tour. The group will be heading off to Australia tomorrow, March 5.

This is the second year a MyTravel A330 has passed through HNL on a round the world tour. Last year, they passed through HNL on another round the world tour in April using a Danish registered A330, OY-VKH.

http://hnlrarebirds.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archive.html

ATI DC-8-71F

This ATI DC-8F, N830BX, arrived early on March 2nd, before the DHL DC-8F. It taxied over from Hickam to the North Ramp soon after the DHL DC-8F taxied over to Hickam. ATI DC-8Fs are quite regular visitors to Hickam, but we don't always see them.

Royal Australian Air Force 707

Here's one of the RAAF's 707s, A20-623, parked on the North Ramp. This aircraft started out as a Qantas 707-338C, VH-EAC, delivered in 1968. It also flew for BCAL (UK), Ontario Worldair (Canada), and Worldways (Canada). The RAAF got this aircraft from Worldways after its last flight in 1983.

Star Alliance, Air Canada 763ER

Air Canada's Star Alliance ship C-FMWY / 22587, arrived on 3/1/07 as AC34 continuing on to YVR.

P.S. This is my first post with the HNL Rarebirds blog, Hagimemashite!!

Xiamen Airlines' B-5301

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of another 737-85C(W), B-5301 (c/n 35073). It's seen here taking a break, before embarking on its next leg to MAJ.

China Southern's B-5189

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of another 737-81B, B-5189 (c/n 35365). It arrived yesterday as CSN189, and continues on to MAJ later today.

Here it is parked on the North Ramp. This is the 2nd Chinese 737 that parked on the North Ramp instead of the South Ramp. It could be that they changed the ground handlers as this aircraft was hooked up with a Swissport towbar and JAL pushback tug used by Swissport for JAL flights.

Mahalo to Ha763 for the photo and info!

DHL DC-8-73F

This old bird from DHL came into HNL this morning and was headed for Hickam. I'm not sure of where it came from, but, we don't see too many of them here anymore. This DC-8-73F was manufactured way back in 1969. It was originally delivered to Air Canada as C-FTIK, a DC-8-63, and later converted to a DC-8-73. This aircraft joined DHL's fleet back in 1994 as N801DH.

Thai Airways International's THA8459

A Thai Airways International (TG/THA) A300B-600R has stopped at HNL for fuel. Listed as THA8459, its being ferried from DMK (Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand), and bound for CWF (Chennault International Airport, Lake Charles, LA) via Guam. It arrived at 22:00HST, and departed at 23:30HST.

Sorry, no photo and registration available.

China Eastern's B-2131

Another one of China Eastern's MD-82, B-2131 (c/n 49515), is making its way to MZJ for storage as CES5999.

Mahalo Aeros for the photo!

Not really a rarebird, but there doesn't seem to be to many HNL pictures of a NW 757-300s. It seems like this NW 757-300 was supposed to operate NW218 to PDX last night, Feb. 20, but it was parked on the hardstands this morning. Looking at some flight information for last night, it looks like NW218 returned to the gate for maintenance. I did see maintenance personnel working on the aircraft.

However, the main reason for posting this picture is the double rainbow in the background. When I took this picture, I only saw the darker rainbow and didn't even know there was a second lighter rainbow.

RAAF's A36-002

A36-002 (c/n 30790), a 737-7DF(W) BBJ (Boeing Business Jet), and crew of the Royal Australian Air Force, pays a visit to HNL today. This BBJ belongs to the 34 Squadron, and is a VIP transport for Australia's Prime Minister and other government officials.

ANA's JA10AN

The first 737-700ER, JA10AN (c/n 33879), stopped over at HNL on it's delivery flight from BFI. It was reported on the HNL RareBirds ... Vol11 thread, that it left early this morning.

Sorry no local photo available, though at BFI by Rick Schlamp.

N497AN's Pit Stop

After being at OAK for the last seven days, N497AN made it's way across the Pacific today with a 90+ minute pit stop at HNL. As earlier reported, this 737-33A is on it's way to somewhere in Asia. It caught us by surprise that N497AN did not overnight here. Oh well ...

Sorry, no photo available.

The latest Air China 737-800

The latest 737 for Air China, a 737-8Q8, stopped in HNL on its way to China. It arrived yesterday, Feb 13. B-5311 surprisingly parked on the North Ramp instead of the South Ramp, where they usually park. This 737 does not have winglets, but parked right behind (and you can see the tail) is an ATA 737-800 with winglets (N304TZ)

China Eastern's B-2129

Another China Eastern Airlines MD-82, B-2129 (c/n 49513), has been furloughed. It's making its way to MZJ from PVG, via SPN, MAJ, HNL and OAK. B-2129 is seen here on the south ramp, after arriving late last night from MAJ.

China Southern's B-5157

China Southern Airlines' B-5157 (c/n 30787) stopped over last night, and left this morning for MAJ. This 737-81Q(W) was registered as VH-VOJ with Virgin Blue, and N787TM.

Sorry ... no photo available.

ex-Rio Sul N497AN

N497AN (c/n 24097), a 737-33A, which most recently served with Rio Sul (RS/RSL) of Brazil is scheduled to stop off at HNL.

The flight was tracked from Comapala Airport (El Salvador) to TUS to OAK then HNL.

At Rio Sul, 24097 was registered as PT-SSP. It also flew with AB Airlines (United Kingdom), as G-OABA; VASP (VP/VSP) of Brazil, as PP-SNZ; and Regional Air (QP) of Kenya, as 5Y-RAA.

China Southern's B-5239

China Southern Airlines newest 737-71B, B-5239 (c/n 35364), makes its way home as CSN239.

US Air Force's 02-2452

Another US Air Force C-32B, 02-2452 (c/n 25493), visits HNL. It serves with sister-ship 00-9001 for the 486th FLTS / 46th TW, based at Eglin AFB, FL, and assigned to the US State Department's Foreign Emergency Support Team.

This 757-23A previously flew with American Trans Air - ATA (TZ) as N512AT and N59AW. It was also registered as N84WA, N757AV, and N312SF.

Aloha Retires N807AL

N807AL (c/n 23443), a 737-2T4Adv, has been retired from the Aloha Airlines inter-island fleet. "Ke‘opuolani" sits on the Elliott Street ramp awaiting it's flight to the mainland for retirement(?). Aloha ‘oe N807AL.

B-2127 Update

B-2127, the China Eastern MD-82, has left HNL late last night for MZJ (Pinal Airpark, Marana, AZ) via OAK. It looks like this MadDog is being furloughed by MU, and relegated to the Arizona desert. Wonder how long before this jet gets snapped up by another airline?

Miami Air's N740EH

Leading off today's HNL RareBirds hat trick is Miami Air's N740EH, a 737-8DCW (c/n 34596), which arrived later in the day as BSK524 from GUM (Agana, Guam).

RAAF's A41-206

The Royal Australian Air Force's first Boeing C-17A "Globemaster III", A41-206 (c/n P-206), departs HNL's Runway 22L this morning, after a visit to HIK (Hickam Air Force Base).

I guess this would be more like an HIK RareBird. :-D

China Eastern's B-2127

Rounding out the hat trick is this China Eastern Airlines MD-82, B-2127 (c/n 49511) is headed for the mainland. It left PVG (Pudong Airport, Shanghai, China) on the 27th, and has been island hopping its way across the Pacific via SPN and MAJ. It's destination nor future is unknown.

ATA L-1011

Also on the North Ramp was an ATA L-1011-500 (N164AT). ATA only has painted the L-1011s in partial new colors (no tail logo or stripe on the engines) and only small titles on the front. Not sure what flight this aircraft flew in as, but it most likely came in as a military charter.

Royal Brunei 767-200

Royal Brunei has made another appearance in HNL this time with a 767-200 (V8-MHB) and parked on the North Ramp. The last time it was back in November and they had a A340 parked on the South Ramp. The aircraft was also being watched all the time by security guards. You can see them sitting in the shade under the nose of the aircraft.

Miami Air Daily Double

Miami Air International (GL/BSK) has two of their 737-800s at HNL. Parked side by side are N906MA [top] and N739MA [above].

N906MA, a 737-81Q (c/n 20952), is wearing the new colors of Excel Airways (JN/XLA) [London, UK], is being leased by GL. The UK registration is G-XLAD. JN used to be called Sabre Airways (JN/SBE), and G-XLAD was registered as G-ODMW. N906MA arrived from OAK as BSK528.

N739MA, a 737-8Q8W (c/n 30670), wears GL's current livery, and arrived from OAK as BSK524.

2007 Airlines Of The Year

Air Transport World (ATW), the sister publication of Airliners Magazine has named All Nippon Airways - ANA as the ATW Airline Of The Year, and Horizon Air as ATW Regional Airline Of The Year.

In the top photo, ANA's (flying as Air Japan) 767-381ER, JA8970 (c/n 25619), at HNL, taxies to Runway 26L on Taxiway RT.

In the above photo, Horizon Air's CRJ700, N616QX (msn 10128) at PDX (Portland, OR), taxies to Terminal A on Taxiway T.

Japan Airlines' JA302J

Japan Airlines' second 737-846(W), JA302J (c/n 35331), prepares to depart for MAJ as JAL7901. The heat haze blurred the photo a bit.

China United Airlines' B-5183

The China United Airlines (KN/CUA) name has been brought back by Shanghai Airlines as their subsidiary. B-5183 (c/n 30711) is the first 737-8Q8(W) to wear the new China United colors, based on the Shanghai Airlines livery. B-5183 seen here minutes before pushing back for it's next segment to MAJ as CUA183.

The Eskimo At HNL?

According to this morning's Honolulu Advertiser, it's now a matter of time before we'll see Alaska Airlines (AS) 737-700W and -800W flights to HNL.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the HA/AS code-share, since both airlines will be flying out of SEA.

In this photo from Nov 2004, an Alaska Airlines 737-490, N703AS (c/n 28893), is on finals to LAX's Runway 24R. This photo was taken from the In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda & Lincoln Blvds.

Another AQ 732QC With Cargo Titles

Aloha now has a second 732QC painted in the cargo livery. This aircraft N747AS was previously with Alaska. N747AS started out flying for Markair as N673MA. It then went to Malaysia flying for Transmile Air as 9M-PMU. In 2001, this aircraft actually passed through HNL on its way to PHX to before being put into service for Alaska. This picture was taken by Je89 W on its layover at HNL: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0156358/L/.

Air Med Hawaii

AirMed Hawaii began service in April 2006 to provide emergency medical air service between the neighbor islands and O‘ahu. They have a local fleet of three Beech 90 King Air. AirMed Hawaii is a local arm of Air Med, which also serves Hawai‘i with a Raytheon Hawker 800 jet (N9UP) from the mainland.

N946AM is one of the three B90s, seen here on Taxiway C in November.

Pacific Wings Heats Up The Inter-Island Market

Pacific Wings (LW/NMI) has created Pacific Wings Express as a low-cost subsidiary. The Honolulu Advertiser has an article regarding this latest move in the hot inter-island fare wars. It appears to be a response to the Mokulele Air & go! partnership (go! Express), and possibly Island Air(?).

As the prop blades spin ...

Hong Kong Express Airways' B-KXE

Hong Kong Express Airways' 737-808(W), B-KXE (c/n 34710) gets fueled up for its next segment to MAJ as "Hong Kong Express 8002". B-KXE is being leased from Icelandic Air, and appears that the rest of this 73H will be painted in Hong Kong.

Air China's B-5179

Further down the south ramp, Air China's next 737-86N, B-5179 (c/n 35211), leased from ILFC, awaits its departure for MAJ later in the morning.

Hawaiian's 2nd ex-Delta 767-300

Here's Hawaiian's 2nd ex-Delta 767-300, N596HA. This aircraft is named Koa`e Kea (white-tailed tropicbird). This aircraft is also the first to have the NuLook interiors from Heath Techna.

We're Back!

On behalf of the HNL RareBirds team, I would like thank you all for patiently waiting for new posts. It seems there was a challenge in the Blogger system, which prevented us from adding new posts from 12-31-06 to today. Mahalo & Aloha!

RAAF's N363BJ

Another unpainted Royal Australian Air Force 737-7ES, N363BJ (c/n 33986), stopped over at HNL on its way to Australia for test flights. 363 will return to the Boeing factory to complete assembly of the “Wedgetail” AWACS antenna & equipment, and to get painted.

It's seen here getting ready to taxi to Runway 8R as BOE204 to depart for its next stop, PPG (Pago Pago, American Samoa).

Sister-ship N361BJ was in town this past April.