VP-CYB

VP-CYB (msn 5545), an A318-112CJ owned by Business Aviation Asia (a Hong Kong-based charter company), has made a stop at HNL. Because of tight ramp space on the south side, the "Baby Bus" has been parked on Taxiway F.

Though built in 2013, this ACJ was delivered to PVG from XFW in April 2015. When it was registered as D-AUAA, during its test phase, it had Sharklets installed, but has since had the standard wingtip fences installed.

Evergreen Medevac's Bell 412s

Evergreen Medevac's N415EV (msn 36404) [top] and N418EV (msn 36440) [above], both Bell 412EP helicopters, just wrapped up a Neighbor Island assignment with the US Army. They are now in the process of being prepped to be shipped back the mainland.

N303KH

N303KH (c/n 25606, l/n 3123), a 737-319 formerly with Air New Zealand, has stopped off at HNL while making a ferry flight from CHC to YLW [Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada].

25606 was originally delivered to Air New Zealand in September 1999 as ZK-NGG. It was withdrawn from service and stored at CHC last month, and sold to Aircraft 25606 LLC (Lake Mary, FL) as N303KH.

VH-VLT

Marcplan Charters' (Australia) VH-VLT (msn 14501107), an ERJ135BJ "Legacy 600", has made a stop at HNL.

Hainan's B-1502

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-84P in as many days, with B-1502 (c/n 43660, l/n 5436). It is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1502, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto GUM.

Hainan's B-1505

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1505 (c/n 39962, l/n 5460) today. The 737-84P, leased from SMBC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1505, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-1791

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1791 (c/n 41474, l/n 5453) this afternoon. The orange peacock-liveried 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-1765

Air China is taking delivery of B-1765 (c/n 41106, l/n 5456) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight as CCA74, and will overnight at HNL.

N167CR

N167CR (c/n 26278, l/n 671), a 757-2G5, is making a ferry flight from XSP to GYR, via GUM and HNL. It's owned by Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, and is due to be converted to a freighter, then leased to SF Airlines - (ShunFeng Airlines) [O3/CSS China].

26278 was originally delivered to LTU [LT/LTU] (Germany) in April 1995 as D-ABMO, under lease from ILFC. In April 2000, it was then leased to JMC Airlines [MT/JMC] (United Kingdom) as G-JMCG. When JMC Airlines became part of Thomas Cook Airlines [MT/TCX] in March 2003, G-JMCG was transferred, and painted in the Thomas Cook livery. During it's time with TCX, it was sub-leased to Air Scotland as SX-BLV (November 2003 - April 2004), and Jazz Air [QK/JZA Canada] (December 2010 - April 2011, and December 2011 - April 2012) as C-GJZD. In May 2014, it was sold to AerCap, and continued with TCX. In December 2014, it was withdrawn from service and stored at QLA [Lasham, United Kingdom]. This past April, it was moved to XSP [Seletar, Singapore], was acquired by WFBN, and registered as N167CR.

China Southern's B-1728

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1728 (c/n 41333, l/n 5451) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN728, and will overnight at HNL.

Thai Lion's HS-LTU

Thai Lion Air is taking delivery of HS-LTU (c/n 39841, l/n 5446) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as TLM1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto DVO.

JAL's JA8941

Japan Airlines has retired JA8941 (c/n 28393, l/n 152), and is ferrying the 777-346 from HND to SBD (via HNL) as JA8131. It's expected that this "triple" will parted out and scrapped upon arrival at SBD.

JA8941 was delivered to Japan Airlines in July 1998 wearing the Landor-designed livery, and named "Regulus". In 2004, it was painted in the "Arc of the Sun" livery, and was a logo jet for both Japanese National Olympic Team with "Gambare Nihon" for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens; and for the TV series "Saiyuki" (December 2006 - April 2006). It also was a logo jet for the OneWorld Alliance (May 2007 - February 2008), that JAL is a partner of. The Japanese pop music (J-pop) duo called Kobukuro was represented on JA8941 in the second half of 2009. The ever-popular cartoon character Doraemon was also depicted on JA8941 from February - May 2010. In January 2012, JA8941 was painted in the current Tsuru livery. The last promotional logo decal that JA8941 wore, was for "HelloSmile", a campaign to raise awareness of cervical and uterine cancers, from January 2012 to February 2013.

NASA's N747NA

NASA's N747NA (c/n 21441, l/n 306), their 747SP-21 with the SOFIA telescope in the aft cabin, is making its way to CHC, from PMD [Palmdale Regional Airport, CA], with a stop at HNL (or HIK). It arrived around 0230HST, and left for CHC before 0630HST.

This 747SP was originally delivered to Pan American World Airways [PA/PAA] in May 1977 as N536PA "Clipper Lindbergh". When Pan Am sold their Trans-Pacific operations to United Airlines in February 1986, N536PA was transferred in the sale, and became N145UA. It wore both the Saul Bass livery, and the grey/blue livery. NASA acquired N145UA in October 1997, and added the SOFIA telescope. It was re-registered as N747NA in April 2005.

Myanmar's XY-ALB

Myanmar National Airlines [UB/UBA] is taking delivery of XY-ALB (c/n 43405, l/n 5430) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as UBA737, and will overnight at HNL. This is the first of six 737-86Ns Myanmar National Airlines is leasing from GECAS.

China Eastern's B-1515

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1515 (c/n 41510, l/n 5447) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan's B-2646

Hainan Airlines is ferrying B-2646 (c/n 28056, l/n 273) from HAK to GYR, via GUM and HNL. The 737-8Q8 is being returned to Aircastle, as its lease has expired.

B-2646 was originally ordered by ILFC, and leased to Hainan in May 1999 in the "Blue Orchids" special livery. In November 2005, the airliner was purchased by Aircastle, and continued the lease with Hainan. In early 2009, it was painted in the 2007 livery.

Shanghai's B-5298

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5298 (c/n 39743, l/n 5440) this morning. The 737-79P, originally ordered by parent company China Eastern Airlines, and allocated to Shanghai Airlines, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH298, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen's B-1518

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1518 (c/n 40827, l/n 5439) this morning. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ518, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

Malindo's 9M-LNR

Malindo Air is taking delivery of 9M-LNR (c/n 39863, l/n 5438) early this morning. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as MLO1, and will make a brief pre-dawn fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

20 Years Of 777 Service

Today marks the 20th year of Boeing 777 service! 

Currently, United Airlines and Japan Airlines offers daily 777-200 flights to/from HNL. Korean Air offered 777-200 and 777-300 service between ICN and HNL for a time in the mid-2000s, and occasionally brings them in. The same applies for All Nippon Airways, as they substitute 777-200s when traffic demands.

Airways Magazine's tribute article.

QFA94 Diversion

Qantas Airways' QFA94 [LAX-MEL] made a diversion to HNL with a medical emergency early this morning. The A380-842, VH-OQA "Nancy Bird-Walton" (msn 014), arrived at HNL shortly after 01:00HST, and departed before 03:00HST.

Air China Inner Mongolia's B-1769

Air China Inner Mongolia [CNM] is taking delivery of B-1769 (c/n 44915, l/n 5433) this morning. The 737-89L, allocated from the mainline order, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CNM78, and will overnight at HNL.

Shenzhen Orders 46 737s

Ch-Aviation reports that Shenzhen Airlines has placed an order with Boeing for 46 737s. It was not specified which variants were ordered.

India Navy's IN326

The Indian Navy is taking delivery of IN326 (c/n 40616, l/n 4859) today. The P-8I Neptune (737-8FV) is making its delivery flight from BFI as BOE207, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto GUM. This is the seventh of eight Poseidons for the Indian Navy.

Malindo's 9M-LNQ

Malindo Air is taking delivery of 9M-LNQ (c/n 39857, l/n 5435) today. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as MLO1, and will make a brief pre-dawn fuel stop at HNL.

HNL To Receive Funding

KHON reports that HNL will receive $16.5million for runway modification from a Congressional grant.

FedEx To Trim Their MD-11F Fleet

Federal Express announced today that they will be retiring several MD-11Fs, among other aircraft types, within the next two years. The MD-11F has been the mainstay of the FedEx service to HNL, interspersed with their MD-10s and 777Fs. When the fleet adjustment occurs, it will remain to be seen if other MD-11Fs will be moved to cover HNL service, or be replaced by another type.

Further information in this World Airline News article.

Sky One's N211DB

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features the Sky One Express Airlines [SYF] 727-2J4/Adv, N211DB (c/n 20766, l/n 993). It's seen above on Taxiway RT in August 2005. Not much is known about Sky One, except that it was a short-lived carrier.

20766 was originally delivered to Sterling Airways [NB/SAW] (Denmark) in in October 1973 as OY-SAT. In May 1984, it was sold to Boeing Equipment as N729BE. In February 1986, it was sold to Federal Express as N223FE, then leased back to Sterling (in their new livery), until the airline's demise in September 1993. In February 1994, it was then acquired by Royal Airlines [QN/ROY] (Canada) as C-GRYP. In June 1998, 20766 was purchased bey Riverhorse Investments, then leased out to a variety of airlines over the next several years, all registered as N211DB: Laker Airways [6F/LKR] (February - September 1999); Star Air Tours (September - November 1999); Sky Trek International Airlines (January - March 2000); Sun Country Airlines [SY/SCX] (July 2000 - May 2002); DB Air (May 2002 - January 2003); Miami Air International [BSK] (January - December 2003); Sun World (December 2003 - June 2004); Falcon Air Express [6F/FAO] (June 2004 - April 2005); and Sky One (May 2005 - May 2006). After Riverhorse repossessed N211DB, it was placed in storage at VCV, and its fate looked it was destined to be scrapped. However, OK Consultants purchased the airframe, in May 2008, and the airframe was partially scrapped. The forward part of the fuselage was sold to the China Lantian Trade Company, where it was shipped to Beijing, and is now part of children's center in an Air China livery.

SilkAir's 9V-MGK

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MGK (c/n 44227, l/n 5422) today. The 737-8SA is making its delivery flight from BFI as SLK8880, and will overnight at KOA.

Air China's B-1764

The third of three 737-800 deliveries stopping off at HNL today, is Air China's B-1764 (c/n 41105, l/n 5424). The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

Garuda's PK-GNT

Garuda Indonesia's PK-GNT (c/n 41806, l/n 5427) is the second of three 737-800s delivering through  HNL today. The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight from BFI as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL before continuing onto TKK.

China Southern's B-1781

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-800 in three days with B-1781 (c/n 43404, l/n 5426). The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN218, and will overnight at HNL. B-1781 leads off a trifecta of 737-800 deliveries stopping through HNL today.

Shenzhen's B-1759

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1759 (c/n 40826, l/n 5425) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ908, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai's B-2880

Shanghai Airlines is ferrying another 757-26D to the US mainland. B-2880 (c/n 33961, l/n 1046) is making its ferry flight from PVG as CSH2880, with stops at SPN and HNL. It will eventually join the Delta Air Lines fleet as N821DX (f/n 6821).

B-2880 was originally delivered to Shanghai Airlines in July 2004.

China Southern's B-1780

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1780 (c/n 41610, l/n 5421) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN520, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

Ruili Orders 60 737MAXs

Ruili Airlines has placed an order of 60 737MAXs. We can expect to see those deliveries stop through HNL, though no timeframe was given as to when the fist models will be delivered.

China Airlines To Go A350 In 2017

CH-Aviation reports that China Airlines will put their new A350-900 on their HNL service [CAL18] in the summer of 2017, to replace the current A330-300.

ABX Rudder Change

So I was able to catch the Aloha Tech Ops Crew installing a new rudder on N363CM (c/n 24853, l/n 319), an ABX Air 767-338F, at the United Airlines Hangar the other day. Pretty cool to watch!

Delta Fleet Changes At HNL

This winter, Delta Air Lines will replace both of their NRT-HNL [DAL296 and DAL578], and their KIX-HNL [DAL278] 747-400 flights with 767-300ERs, as reported by AirlineRoute.net. This will leave their ATL flight, DAL836, as the only Delta 747-400 flight out of HNL.

Google 767 at PHNL

Here are some shots of one of the Google 767-200s here at PHNL. Hope this works, I'm just starting to figure out this layout. This is the cleanest plane I have ever seen in my life ... Cheers

American To Switch To A321

According to AirlineRoute.net, American Airlines will switch its two of its three 757-200 flights between LAX and HNL to the A321-200ceo on August 18, 2015.

JAL8131

Japan Airlines is ferrying one of their 777-200s from HND to SBD, via HNL. JA8983 (c/n 27366, l/n 39) arrived this morning and will overnight before continuing on its way to storage.

QFA12 Diversion To HNL

Qantas Airways' VH-OQL "Phyllis Arnott" (msn 074) made a medical diversion at HNL early this morning. The A380-842, flying as QFA12, from LAX to SYD, landed at HNL around 01:00HST, and departed for SYD three hours later.

737 Delivery Flight Map

In May 2006, we published a map of the western Pacific region with 737 delivery flight routings. With more airlines ordering the 737, more routings have been established. We have re-done the map to reflect these new routes.

Like the original post, this map was sourced from Wikipedia, and routings added in with Illustrator and text with Photoshop.

HAL3 Returns To LAX

Various news sources are reporting the return to LAX of HAL3 bound for HNL. The A330-243, N395HA "‘A‘a" (msn 1496), left late due to a fuel leak and spill, then about one hour into the flight the crew made the decision to return to LAX. Earlier reports were incorrect about addional fuel being dumped to lower landing weight but the aircraft did circle to burn fuel.

Emergency crews were standing by as the plane made a safe, uneventful landing on Runway 25R. There were 300 passengers and crew aboard. The issue was repaired, and the flight left for HNL.

Coverage in this Star-Advertiser article, KTLA5 report, and Hawaii News Now report.

USMC MV-22 Accident At Bellows AFB

An MV-22 Osprey from the US Marine Corps' VMM-161 "Greyhawks", crashed at Bellows Air Force Station / Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in Waimānalo, around 11:00HST. There were 21 Marines and a Navy corpsman aboard; with one fatality and 12 injured, and the smoke plume can be seen from Kailua.

The MV-22s (three in total), and those aboard are from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton, CA, here for training exercises.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to those aboard, and their families.

Initial reports in this Hawaii News Now article, and an article from CBS Los Angeles.

Garuda's PK-GNS

Garuda Indonesia's PK-GNS (c/n 41607, l/n 5385) wraps up this morning's 737-800 delivery flight grand slam. The 737-8U3 is making its delivery flight as GIA8011, and will make a brief fuel stop before continuing on KSA.

Kunming's B-1507

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-1507 (c/n 42050, l/n 5407) this morning. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA1507, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

Shanghai's B-1742

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1742 (c/n 39316, l/n 5409) this morning. The 737-86D is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH578, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

China Southern's B-1776

Today, HNL will see a 737-800 delivery flight grand slam! Four Asia-bound 737-800s will arrive at HNL from BFI this morning. Leading off, is China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1776 (c/n 41609, l/n 5406) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight as CSN228, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto PNI.

Hawaiian's N378HA

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of N378HA "Kaukamalama" (msn 1615) today. The A330-243, their 21st, is making its delivery flight from TLS to SEA as HAL9975.

Shandong's B-1508

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1508 (c/n 41624, l/n 5403) this morning. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1508, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-1790

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1790 (c/n 41509, l/n 5405) today. The Yunnan Peacock-liveried 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES599, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

Thai Lion's HS-LTS

Thai Lion Air is taking delivery of HS-LTR (c/n 39839, l/n 5404) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as TLM1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

HAL118 Diverted To OGG

A Hawaiian Airlines flight from HNL to KOA diverted to OGG after one of the two engines stopped functioning. HAL118, operated with N484HA "Oma‘o" (c/n 55129, l/n 5080), made an emergency landing, without incident, at OGG, though the malfunctioning engine was smoking when the 717-22A. The airport's ARFF crews extinguished the smoke with foam.

Hawaii News Now's article.

Another 737-200 For Trans Air?

According to the FAA website, Trans Air has another 737-200, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), is listed as its owner as of February 2015. The 737-2Q8 was last listed with Weststar Aviation (Malaysia), with the US N-number. It's current whereabouts are unknown, or whether it will undergo freighter conversion.

23148 was originally ordered by ILFC, and leased to America West Airlines in October 1984 as N137AW. In July 1995, it was leased to Ladeco Airlines [UC/LCO/ (Chile) as CC-CYV. In April 2000, it was leased to WestJet Airlines as C-FLWJ. In March 2006, Weststar Aviation acquired this 737-2Q8, and had the interior converted to a VIP layout, and registered as N413JG.

N460KA

N460KA (c/n 27460, l/n 3021), a 737-33A, formerly with Air New Zealand is ferrying through JRF as it heads to TPA for freighter conversion. Now owned by Kahala Aviation, the former ZK-NGR, is flying from CHC to TPA, via PPG, JRF, and ONT.

27460 was originally ordered by AWAS, and leased to Air Malta [KM/AMC] in April 1998 as 9H-ADI. In May 2008, it was leased to Air New Zealand as ZK-NGR. AWAS sold the 737-33A to Kahala Aviation at the beginning of this month.

HAL24 Returns To OGG In Emergency

A Hawaiian Airlines 767-300ER flying as HAL24 [OGG-OAK], made an emergency return to OGG as a burning smell was noticed by crew and passengers. N583HA "‘A" (c/n 25531, l/n 453) landed without incident, and taxied off of Runway 2/20. All aboard evacuated via the inflatable slides on Taxiway A, as OGG ARFF crews stood by.

Passengers are being put aboard a replacement flight, HAL1024, that will leave OGG tonight. N393HA "Lehuakona" (msn 1422) will make the flight to OAK, after being ferried from HNL as HAL8024.

Further details in this Hawaii News Now article.

Aloha's N824AL

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to August 1999, with Aloha Airlines' N824AL "Kalaniopu‘u" (c/n 23045, l/n 978). The 737-282, seen above at Gate 49, wearing a special lei decal to commemorate the 1999 Aloha Festivals. In Hawai‘i, May 1st is known as Lei Day.

23045 was origianlly delivered to TAP - Air Portugal [TP/TAP] in July 1983 as CS-TEO. From April 1985 to October 1985, it was leased to Air Atlantis [EJ/AIA] (Portugal). Aloha Airlines acquired 23045 in March 1998. When the airline shut down operations in March 2008, it was placed into storage at MHV, and has been there since.