Omega Air Tanker's N707MQ

Omega Air Tanker's N707MQ (c/n 21368, l/n 925) is participating in this year's RIMPAC exercise, refueling US Navy and US Marine Corps aircraft. The 707-368C is flying as OMEGA71, and arrived from NKX [Miramar MCAS, San Diego, CA] on the 23rd.

Shandong's B-7975

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7975 (c/n 61427, l/n 5995) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG7975, and will overnight at HNL, and weather Tropical Storm Darby.

Hawaiian Launches NRT Service

Hawaiian Airlines launched daily A330-243 service between HNL and NRT today with HAL821, and an early afternoon departure. N380HA is making today's inaugural flight.  The return flight, HAL822, will arrive at HNL in the morning along with the other flights from NRT.

Shenzhen's B-7749

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-7749 (c/n 61118, l/n 5986) this morning. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ903, and will overnight at HNL. This their first 737-87L delivery for 2016.

Hawaiian To Add Two More 717s

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they will lease two 717-200s that will be delivered in early 2017. These two airliners will come from the Volotea Airlines [V7/VOE] (Spain) fleet, as they transition to the A319. Koa‘e Kea (white-tailed tropic bird) and ‘Akiapola‘au (Hawaiian honeycreeper) will be the Hawaiian names for the two 717s, and the airline has reserved N494HA and N495HA.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

China Eastern's B-7875

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7875 (c/n 41494, l/n 5991) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Urumqi's B-1568

Urumqi Airlines is taking delivery of B-1568 (c/n 41179, l/n 5760) today. The 737-8EH is making its delivery flight from BFI as B1552, and will overnight at HNL.

This 737-8EH was originally ordered by GOL Transportes Aéreos as PR-GYE, but was not taken up. It was acquired by the Bank of Utah as N724AC in February 2016, and stored at CWF [Lake Chennault International Airport, Lake Charles, Louisiana]. Urumqi Air acquired it this month.

9 Air's B-1552

9 Air is taking delivery of B-1552 (c/n 61354, l/n 5985) this morning. The 737-86X is making its delivery flight from BFI as JYH1552, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-7848

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-7848 (c/n 42931, l/n 5988) this morning. The 737-85C is makings delivery flight from BFI as CXA7848, and will overnight at HNL.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Boeing!

The HNL RareBirds Team wished the Boeing Aircraft Company a Happy 100th Birthday!

Boeing aircraft began flying to Hawai‘i with the Boeing 314 Clippers, with Pan American Airways. As more airlines began serving the Hawaiian Islands, the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser made trans-Pacific flights from the mainland by United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Pan Am. 

Ushering the jet age, a Qantas Airways 707-138 made the first passenger jet flight to HNL, and opened the door Pan Am, Trans World Airlines, Western Airlines, Continental Airlines, and American Airlines, to serve HNL with 707 flights. South Pacific Island Airways and AeroAmerica were the last airlines with 707 service.

The 717-200, formerly the MD-95, is represented in Hawai‘i with Hawaiian Airlines.

Continental's Air Micronesia was the only airline to have passenger 727 service that lasted until the late 1990s.  Currently, Asia Pacific Airlines has 727-200 freighters serving HNL.

At the time, Aloha Airlines was the the only inter-island carrier to bring the Boeing 737 to Hawai‘i. Beginning with the -100, the airline had -200s, -300s, 400s, and -700s in their fleet until its closure in 2008. Continental began 737-800 service with their "Air Mike" routes to replace aforementioned 727 flights. Presently, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, WestJet Airlines, and Fiji Airways have trans-Pacific 737NG flights; and Aloha Air Cargo has 737-200 and -300 cargo flights, and Trans Air has -200 cargo flights within the islands. Hawai‘i is also the first stop for Pacific island-hopping 737 delivery flights.

Pan Am and United were the first airlines to serve HNL with the 747. Continental, TWA, Northwest Airlines, Japan Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Airlines, All Nippon Airways, America West Airlines, Air Siam, and Air Hawaii, all served HNL with 747s at one time. Currently, Delta has the only 747-400 passenger service, with United bringing them in on fleet substitutions. On the cargo side, Atlas Air, Polar Air, UPS and Kalitta Air currently have 747F service to HNL.

The 757 has been a staple for US carriers for flights from the west coast. America West, American, Continental, Delta, Allegiant Air, Northwest Airlines, Omni Air International and United all served Hawai‘i with the 757. Presently, America, Delta, Allegiant, and United have passenger flights, and Asia Pacific Airlines has cargo flights with their 757-200F. China-bound 757 delivery flights used to make HNL a stopover point from BFI.

The 767 replaced many tri-jet and 747 flights.  American, Delta, Hawaiian, All Nippon, Omni, Japan, and UPS all have 767 flights currently serving Hawai‘i. When they were in service, TWA and Continental had 767 flights serving HNL. Qantas and Air New Zealand had 767-300 service but has since replaced them.

When the 777 was introduced in the mid-90s, United was the first airline to serve HNL with their -200s. Currently, United and Japan have 777-200 service, and Korean has 777-300 service to HNL.

The new 787 Dreamliner has five airlines serving HNL: Air New Zealand, All Nippon, Japan, JetStar Airways, and United.


On the military side, the Hawai‘i Air National Guard has the KC-135R Stratotanker in the 203rd ARS, and the C-17A GlobemasterIII in the 204th AS. Omega Air Tanker 707-320Bs occasionally stop through HNL while re-fueling transiting US Navy and US Marine Corps fighters across the Pacific.


There are also a couple of Boeing Stearman bi-wing training aircraft from the 1940s that are owned on O‘ahu.

China Southern's B-7969

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7969 (c/n 43890, l/n 5987) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN969, and will overnight at HNL.

Marine 2

Two MV-22 Ospreys from VMM-161 transported US Vice President Joe Biden to and from USS John C. Stennis, 140mi south of O‘ahu as "Marine 2".

Virgin Australia's VH-YFW

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YFW (c/n 41037, l/n 5978) today. The 737-8FE is making its delivery flight from BFI as VOZ9942, and will overnight at LIH.

Hainan's B-7619

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-7619 (c/n 60690, l/n 5981) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH7619, and will overnight at HNL.

Unidentified Chinese Carrier Orders 30 737s

At the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing announced that an unidentified Chinese carrier has placed an order for a mix of 737NGs and 737 MAXs.

Kunming To Order 10 737 MAX 7s

Boeing announced today that Kunming Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an order of ten 737 MAX 7s, at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Donghai Airlines To Order 30 Boeing Jets

At the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing announced that Donghai Airlines has signed an Intent to Purchase for 25 737 MAX 8s and five 787-9s. Donghai currently has an outstanding order for 15 737-800s and ten 737 MAX 8s, and have two 737-83Zs on the BFI flightline ready for delivery.

Xiamen Air To Order The 737 MAX 200

Boeing announced at the Farnborough International Airshow that Xiamen Air signed an Memorandum of Understanding to purchase up to 30 737 MAX 200s. The new Boeings could be allocated to its Jiangxi Airlines and Hebei Airlines subsidiaries. This MoU still needs approval from the Xiamen Air board, China Southern Airlines board, and the Chinese government.

MRH-90

An MRH-90 on board the HMAS Canberra.

MV-22

An MV-22 Osprey on board the USS America, Pearl Harbor RIMPAC tour.

Armee De L`Air's F-RAJB

Occasionally one of two A340-212s of the Armee De L`Air passes through Honolulu to and from French Polynesia. F-RAJB (c/n081) arrived this morning and took on fuel before continuing on.

N788DP

N788DP (c/n 29441, l/n 111), a 737-79U BBJ, has made a stop at HNL from NRT, that arrived last night.

This BBJ was once registered as N88WR, and was here in May 2011.

Dalian's B-7597

Dalian Airlines is taking delivery of B-7597 (c/n 44914, l/n 5933) this morning. The 737-89L, allotted from Air China's order book, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA74, and will overnight at HNL.

United's N75435

United Airlines's N75435 (c/n 33529, l/n 2916, f/n 0435), has made a stop at HNL, since it was painted in the Continental Airlines retro jet livery, and split-scimitar winglets installed. It arrived from SFO as UAL1581, and will return to SFO as UAL1604. It flew into KOA yesterday from SFO as well.

Happy Independence Day!

Today, the HNL RareBirds Team celebrates the United States of America's 240th birthday!

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPI

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPI "Seven Mile Beach" (msn 19000202) is making its maintenance ferry flight from BNE to BNA.  The E190 is making a stop at HNL from APW.

Pro Air's N462PR

Our July edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to Christmas Day 1998, and Pro Air's N462PR (c/n 28494, l/n 2839), a 737-43Q, seen above taxiing out for departure on Taxiway RT.

28494 was originally purchased by Boullioun Aviation Services (BouAS), and leased to China Airlines in December 1996 and registered as B-18677. In December 1998, BouAS leased it to Pro Air [XL/PRH] as N462PR. In April 2005, it was leased to Czech Airlines [OK/CSA] (Czech Republic) as OK-BGQ. In March 2006, it was leased to Aegean Airlines [A3/AEE] (Greece) as SX-BTN. In April 2009, it was leased to Aeroflot-Don [D9/DNV] (Russia) as VQ-BCS, and five months later, the airline's name was changed to Donavia, as part of Aeroflot's restructuring and re-branding of its regional airlines. VQ-BCS was also sold to the Aviation Capital Group, and the lease was continued with Donavia. In mid-2014, 28494 was converted to a freighter at MIA, and sold to Farnair [FAH] (Hungary) in September 2014 as HA-FAU. In June 2015, it was transferred to ASL Airlines [FAH] (Hungary), and continues to fly with ASL.

China Eastern's B-7966

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7966 (c/n 41492, l/n 5966) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL.

Kunming's B-7871

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-7871 (c/n 60154, l/n 5969) today, The 737-7LY, their second in the past 11 days, and third 737NG delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA7871, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-7892

Air China is taking delivery of B-7892 (c/n 60851, l/n 5957) today. The 737-89L is makings delivery flight from BFI as CCA80, and will overnight at HNL.

Batik Air Malaysia's 9M-LNZ

Batik Air Malaysia, formerly known as Malindo Air, is taking delivery of 9M-LNZ (c/n 38303, l/n 5965). The 737-8GP is making its late night delivery flight from BFI as MXD1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

Xiamen's B-7559

The second of two Xiamen Air 737-85Cs that were temporarily stored at RNT is making its delivery flight today. B-7559 (c/n 42928, l/n 5905) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA7559, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-7558

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery today of a pair of 737-85Cs that were temporarily stored at RNT. B-7558 (c/n 42927, l/n 5872) is the first to depart from BFI as CXA7558, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPH

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPH "Honeymoon Cove" (msn 19000199) is making its way back to BNE after its maintenance check at BNA. The E190 is flying as VOZ9902, and has made a stop at HNL from VNY.

Hainan's B-7886

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-7886 (c/n 41386, l/n 5958) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH7886, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-7846

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-7846 (c/n 42929, l/n 5954) this morning. This their 737-85C delivered within the past two days. It's making its delivery flight as CXA7846, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern's B-7968

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7968 (c/n 43889, l/n 5960) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN769, and will overnight at HNL. This their second 737-800 delivery within the past three days.

China Eastern's B-2399

China Eastern Airlines is ferrying B-2399 (msn 1093) from TNA to TUS (with stops at SPN, PNI, and HNL), and is flying as CES9006. The A320-214 was delivered to China Eastern under lease from GECAS in October 1999.

Shandong's B-7567

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7567 (c/n 61426, l/n 5956) this morning. The 737-85N, their second delivery within the past six days, is makings delivery flight from BFI as CDG7567, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-7847

Xiamen Air's second of the two 737-85C deliveries this morning is B-7487 (c/n 42930, l/n 5945).  It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA7847, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-7557

Xiamen Air's B-7557 (c/n 42926, l/n 5857) is the first of two deliveries for the airline this morning. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA7557, and will overnight at HNL. B-7557 first flew on March 29th, but remained at BFI until today.

N370BC

N370BC (c/n 23468, l/n 1262), a 737-205/Adv bijzet owned by Basic Capital Management, has made a stop at HNL from ADS [Addison, TX], via VNY.

N370BC was also here in November 2012.

China Southern's B-7971

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7971 (c/n 44386, l/n 5952) this morning. The 737-81P, under lease from BoCom, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN971, and will overnight at HNL.

Kunming's B-7873

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-7873 (c/n 60178, l/n 5946) this afternoon. The 737-8LY is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA7873, and will overnight at HNL. It's their second 737NG delivery within the past three days.

Makani Kai Air's N937CK

Makani Kai Air has taken delivery of their fourth Cessna C208B Grand Caravan, with N937CK (msn 208B1118). This Grand Caravan arrived last night from SJC [San José, CA]. The delivery flight originated in SGS [South St. Paul, MN] that departed on the 13th, and made stops at IV6 [Canon City, CO], VGT [North Las Vegas, NV], and SJC.

This C208B was originally delivered to WCBS Equipment Leasing in March 2005. It was acquired by Schunneman Inc in December 2006. In August 2011, it went to Peanut Air LLC, and in October 2014 it was bought by TMI Solutions.


On a related note, Makani Kai Air's N135PB was finally retired. After being used in a "Hawaii Five-0" episode, it was seen at JRF with its wings detached. It was later re-assembled, and returned to service. It made its last flight on June 9th.

Shandong's B-7569

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7569 (c/n 61317, l/n 5947) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG7569, and will overnight at HNL.

Kunming's B-7870

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-7870 (c/n 60153, l/n 5942) today. The 737-7LY is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA7870, and will overnight at HNL.

Nanshan Jet B-5286 B737-7GJ(BBJ)

Nanshan Jet's B-5286 (c/n 41658, l/n 3866), has made a stop at the Kona FIS from PEK this afternoon, along with the Air China BBJ.

Air China B-3999

B-3999, a Beijing Airlines (Air China's private charter arm) Boeing 737-79L(BBJ) - cn 41090 / ln 3636 is on the ground near the Kona FIS today. It's flying as BJN99 from PEK.

Air China's B-7595

Air China is taking delivery of B-7595 (c/n 43415, l/n 5943) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai's B-7638

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-7638 (c/n 42066, l/n 5941) this afternoon. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9762, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern's B-7972

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their first 737-81B of 2016. B-7972 (c/n 44388, l/n 5938) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN972, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian's N360HA "Tutukamolehonua"

Hawaiian Airlines' 23rd A330-243 touched down in Hawai‘i for the first time today as HA8001 from Seattle. N360HA (c/n 1732) is given the Hawaiian name of the constellation Alpha Crucis, "Tutukamolehonua".

N198CR

N198CR (c/n 28154, l/n 623), a 767-338ER for SF Airlines, is making a ferry flight from VCV to QPG (via HNL and GUM). It will make its HNL stop this evening.

28154 was originally delivered to Qantas Airways in August 1996 as VH-OGQ, and remained with the airline until February 2014, when it was retired to VCV. In September 2015, WFBN purchased the 767-338ER.

Big Island Air's N2150

Big Island Air's C208B Grand Caravan, N2150 (msn 208B5054), has made a stop at HNL. It's not often that Big Island Air Grand Caravans make it up north to O‘ahu, and was probably here on a charter flight.

C-GALU

C-GALU (msn 726), a DHC-6-300 Twin Otter is ferrying though HNL on its way back to Canada, from Papua New Guinea. The flight began from AYTK [Tokua Airport, Rabaul, PNG], and has made stops at MAJ and HNL, and will depart for LMT [Crater Lake-Klamath Falls, Oregon] tomorrow, then onto YYC, where the owner is identified as Gravitas Aviation Ltd.

726 was originally delivered to Austin Airways [Canada] in November 1980 as  C-GCVZ, and was leased to Air Creebec from June 1982 to February 1985. It was sold to Pakistan International Airlines in the same month as AP-BCG "Mangla Dam", and served until September 2006. Emerald Aviation [New Guinea] acquired this Twin Otter in March 2007 as N726JM, then as P2-EMO. Airlines PNG took ownership of P2-EMO in April 2008.

Fuzhou's B-7395

Fuzhou Airlines is taking delivery of B-7395 (c/n 43663, l/n 5809) today. The 737-84P, built in February, is making its delivery flight from BFI as FZA7395, and will overnight at HNL.

Antonov's UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 (msn 13590502630) arrived from ONT this morning. The flight, ADB2122, originated from PSM [Portsmouth International at Pease Airport, New Hampshire]. The Antonov parked on Taxiway RA (above photo), east of ARFF Station 2, to off-load its cargo, then was towed to the UPS ramp until this evening's departure to DEN as ADB248F.

Deer Jet's B-5266

Deer Jet's 737-7AK BBJ, B-5266 (c/n 29866, l/n 408), has made an overnight stop at HNL from LAX. FlightRadar24.com has its recent flights leading up to the HNL stop. Deer Jet [DF/BDJ] (China) is the private charter arm of the Hainan Air Group (HNA).

This BBJ was delivered to Privatair in November 1999 as HB-IIP, with 16 first-class seats. In May 2005 it was sold to N720CH, Inc as N720CH, and fitted with a VIP interior. Deer Jet acquired it in March 2010.

Freedom Air's ZK-OJK

This month's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to June 2005, with this Freedom Air International [SJ/FOM] (New Zealand) A320-232, ZK-OJK (msn 2445). It was making a stopover at HNL while making its delivery flight from TLS to AKL.

A year after delivery, it was sold to BBAM, then leased to TAM Linhas Aéreas [JJ/TAM](Brazil) as PR-MBJ. In May 2012, it made its way back to New Zealand, as it was leased to Air New Zealand, and retained its ZK-OJK tail number. It continues to fly with Air New Zealand, and was painted in the current black and white livery.

Memorial Day

The HNL RareBirds team expresses a big mahalo to all of the American Armed Forces aviators (and all other troops) who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and protecting our freedoms.

China United's B-7563

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-7563 (c/n 61683, l/n 5928) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA7563, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai's B-7863

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-7863 (c/n 44389, l/n 5923) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

SlikAir's 9V-MGP

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MGP (c/n 44232, l/n 5924) today. The 737-8SA is making its delivery flight from RNT as SLK8880, and will overnight at KOA.

Air China's B-7598

Air China is taking delivery of B-7598 (c/n 60850, l/n 5920) today. The 737-89L, their second delivery in three days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA79, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-7560

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-7560 (c/n 43887, l/n 5875) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA7560, and will overnight at HNL.

Kamaka's N8CA

Kamaka Air has taken delivery of their third Cessna C208BF Caravan. N8CA (msn 208B2329) arrived on the 19th from SMX, after undergoing freighter conversion. Although freighter flooring was installed, there still are the anchor points for seats. The airline plans to keep the current livery, and add Kamaka Air titles.

Air China's B-7596

Air China is taking delivery of B-7596 (c/n 44913, l/n 5917) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong's B-7568

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7568 (c/n 61316, l/n 5919) today. The 737-85N is makings delivery flight from BFI as CDG7568, and will overnight at HNL.

Beech 23 Ditches Off Mākaha

A Beech 23, N6697Y (msn M-2224), with two aboard, ditched about 30 yards from the shore of Mākaha Beach, about 11:30HST. Thankfully, there were no severe injuries were reported, though both were taken to a nearby medical center.

The above photo of N6697Y was taken in the late 1980s, from aviation.hawaii.gov.

Coverage by KHON 2 News.

Skydiving Plane Crashes At PAK, 5 Killed

N2007X (msn 18256107), a Cessna 182H, owned by D&J Air Adventures [Koloa, Kaua‘i], with five aboard crashed at PAK [Burns Field / Port Allen Airport, Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i] around 09:30HST. All five aboard perished. The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kauai, experienced engine trouble and a fire, and tried to return to PAK, but crashed short of the airport.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those lost in this accident.

Coverage by Hawaii News Now.

VietJet Orders 100 737 MAX 200s

VietJet [VJ/VJC] (Viet Nam) placed an order with Boeing today for 100 737 MAX 200s, with deliveries beginning in 2019. The MAX 200, a 200-seat high-density version of the MAX 8, has an extra door between the overwing exits and the aft door (similar to the -900ER).

We are not sure if these deliveries will stop through Hawai‘i, but there is a 50% chance that they will.

Further details in this Boeing MediaRoom press release.

China Eastern's B-7393

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7393 (c/n 41490, l/n 5914) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPH

Virgin Australia's E190, VH-ZPH "Honeymoon Cove" (msn 19000199), is making its maintenance ferry flight from BNE to BNA (via APW, HNL, and VNY) as VOZ9901, and will make its HNL stopover today.

Virgin Australia's VH-VOZ

Virgin Australia's VH-VOZ "Palm Beach" (c/n 35302, l/n 745) made a medical emergency stop at HNL early this morning. The 777-3ZGER, was flying from SYD to LAX as VOZ1, when the flight diverted to HNL. After the ill passenger was taken off, the flight continued to LAX.

Shanghai's B-7636

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-7636 (c/n 41586, l/n 5910) today. The 737-89P, their fourth delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHS9762, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan's B-7175

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-7175 (c/n 43414, l/n 5906) this morning. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH7175, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai's B-7637

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-7637 (c/n 42054, l/n 5904) today. The 737-89P is makings delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL. This is the airline's third 737-89P within the past 11 days.

Kingdom Holding's HZ-WBT7

Kingdom Holding's HZ-WBT7 (c/n 25880, l/n 926) made a visit to Honolulu from San Francisco on May 13th. The former Air China 747-4J6 then departed on the 15th to Shanghai.

Donghai's B-7100

Donghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-7100 (c/n 41810, l/n 5594) today. The 737-8Q8, leased from ILFC, is making its delivery flight from GYR as EPA291, and will overnight at HNL. B-7100 was ferried to GYR, and placed in storage, after it was built in September 2015; and held the registration of N418AR.

ZK-KFS

ZK-KFS (msn 277), a Convair CV-5800F, that was with Air Freight New Zealand [AFN], is making its ferry flight from PMR (Palmerston, New Zealand) to YLW (Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada). It's making stops at AKL, PPG, and HNL.

277 was originally delivered to the US Navy as an R4Y-1 in 1955 as BuNo 140994. It was re-classified as a VC-131F in 1962. In September 1986, it was retired from the USN, and sent to AMARC for storage. In November 1992, it was sent to the National Museum of National Aviation as N14094. In May 2001, it was acquired by Kelowna Flightcraft [KW/KFA] (Canada) as C-FKFS, and converted to the stretched CV-5800F variant, a few months later. In October 2004, it was ferried to AKL to join the Air Freight NZ fleet as ZK-KFS.

Hawaiian Awarded HND-KOA Route

The US Department of Transportation awarded Hawaiian Airlines its service between HND and KOA, with a deadline of 29 January 2017 to begin service.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Thai Lion's HS-LUP

Thai Lion Air is taking delivery of HS-LUP (c/n 40062, l/n 5898). The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as TLM1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

N954RF

N954RF (c/n 28533, l/n 471), a 777-212 owned by GMT Holdings, is ferrying from SIN to VCV, with a stop at HNL.

28533 was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in March 2004 as 9V-SVO. In March 2005, it was sold to Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, and then leased back to Singapore Airlines. In June 2015, it was sold GMT Holdings, and was withdrawn from service in January 2016.

Hawaiian Purchases The Airport Center Building

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they have purchased the Airport Center Building. The airline will move some of its corporate offices to the 14-story building, with a Wyland "Whaling Wall" mural on the Dimaond Head side wall, and on the ‘Ewa side wall.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Air New Zealand Switches To The 787-9

Starting today, Air New Zealand will switch from their 767-319ERs to their 787-9s on their AKL-HNL service (ANZ10). ZK-NZE (c/n 34334, l/n 169), the "All-Blacks" special-liveried 787, will make the first flight.

The airline also switched from late night service at HNL to morning arrivals and departures in late March.

Shanghai's B-7635

Shanghai Airlines' B-7635 (c/n 41585, l/n 5863) is the airline's second of the two deliveries today. The 737-89P, sourced from China Eastern Airlines' order book, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9762, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai's B-7862

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-7862 (c/n 44385, l/n 5871) this morning. The 737-89P, which is the first of two Shanghai deliveries today, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin America Launches LAX-HNL Service

Today, Virgin America begins daily service between LAX and HNL, with N282VA "Judy Ann" (msn 6704) making the first flight as VRD57, and VRD60 (HNL-LAX).

Daily service between LAX and OGG begins on June 14th.

Further details in this Virgin America press release.

N303PT

N303PT (msn 303), a DeHavilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou, is making a stop at HNL as it makes its way across the Pacific. The flight began in WWD [Wildwood, NJ] yesterday, with stops at I23 [Washington Court House, OH], K88 [Iola, KS] and SMX [Santa Maria, CA], and arrived earlier today. It will continue onto MAJ, PNI, and BIK.

This DHC-4A was originally delivered to the Kenya Air Force in November 1972 as 206/5Y-BET. In July 1986, it was sold to NewCal Aviation as N300NC. In October 1994, Penturbo Aviation [Rio Grande, NJ], and re-registered it as N303PT in November 2011.


photo to follow ...

Hawaiian's N122AA

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to April 1994, and this Hawaiian Airlines DC-10-10, N122AA (c/n 46522, l/n 56), that was one of 20 leased from American Airlines. This photo of N122AA was taken while it was parked on the Elliott Street ramp.

N122AA was originally delivered to American Airlines in September 1972. It was delivered to Hawaiian in March 1994, and remained until February 2001. American sold N122AA to FedEx in May 2001, supposed to be registered as N551FE, but was instead sold to ECS Refining for parts, and eventually scrapped at MHV in 2002.