Spring Airlines Japan's JA04GR

Spring Airlines Japan [SJO] is taking delivery of JA04GR (c/n 61776, l/n 6223) this afternoon. The 737-8AL, leased from BOC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as JA04GR, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Airʻs B-1579

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1579 (c/n 42936, l/n 6224) today. The 737-85C, the first 737 delivery of 2017 to stop through a Hawaiian airport, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8099, and will overnight at HNL.

Delta To Launch SEA-LIH Service

Delta Air Lines announced today that they will begin daily 757-200 service between SEA and LIH on December 21, 2017. This is one of several new routes the airline will be starting from its SEA hub.

Further details in this Delta Air Lines news release.

Hawaiian To Launch LIH-KOA Service

Hawaiian Airlines announced that they will launch service between LIH and KOA on March 12th. This would be the longest inter-island flight in Hawaiian's route system. There will be one flight in each direction between Līhuʻe and Kona.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Island Air's N681WP Blessing

This morning, Island Air held a Hawaiian blessing ceremony for N681WP "Ola Kūpono" at their hangar. The new Q400 Next Gen is scheduled to enter service tomorrow, on the OGG route. There were speeches by Island Air CEO David Uchiyama, VP Jeffrey Lau, and Bombardier's Gary Dixon; along with a prayer and blessing by Kahu Kelekona Bishaw. The event culminated with a media preview flight that flew from HNL, over the island of Lānaʻi, and back.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPA

Virgin Australia is ferrying VH-ZPA (msn 19000148) from BNE to BNA (via APW, HNL, and VNY) for its maintenance check. The E190 is making the flight at VOZ9901.

N108MS

N108MS (c/n 33102, l/n 1111), one of Las Vegas Sands Corporation's 737-7BC BBJs, is also in town, along with its fleet mate VP-BMS.

VP-BMS

VP-BMS (msn 560), the Las Vegas Sands Corporation A340-541, has made a stop at HNL after a 17.5-hour flight from TLV [Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel].

560 was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in April 2004 as 9V-SGD, and withdrawn from use in November 2013. It was sold back to Airbus, and stored in LDE in March 2014. The Sands Corporation purchased this A340-541 in July 2014, and converted the interior to a VIP configuration.

EVA Air's B-16308

Our January edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features EVA Air's B-16308 (msn 655), seen above as it departed from Runway 8R to TPE, in June 2005. EVA had service A330-203 between HNL and TPE in the early-to-mid 2000s, that was preceded by 767-300ER service.

B-16308 was delivered to EVA in March 2005, under lease from GECAS. In June 2010, it was sold to AerCap, and remains in service with EVA.

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! 🎆🎇🎉

The HNLRareBirds team wishes our readers a blessed and prosperous 2017! 

Happy New Year! 🎆🎇🎉

Cessna 172 Missing

N174LL (msn 17261220), a Cessna 172, owned by Lani Lea Sky Tours and Flight School, with three people on board, en route to HNL from MKK has disappeared off of the northwest coastline of Moloka‘i, around 18:55HST. The US Coast Guard has sent a C-130 to search the area for the aircraft.

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

Playback of N174LL's departure out of MKK from FlightRadar24.com.

Further coverage by Hawaii News Now.

Island Air's N681WP

Island Air's first Dash8-Q400 Next Generation, N681WP "Ola Kūpono" (msn 4543), is making its final leg of its delivery flight from  OAK to HNL today, as SXA356. The delivery flight originated at YZD [Toronto / Downsview Airport], and made stops at DLH [Duluth International Airport, MN], PDX, MMV, and OAK for its journey from Toronto to Honolulu.

Jiangxi Air's B-1558

A 737-85C for Xiamen Airlines low cost carrier, Jiangxi Air, is making its way to China. B-1558 (c/n 42935, l/n 6220) will be the fifth 737 to join the fleet.

JASDF's 20-1102

Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 20-1102 (c/n 24731, l/n 839), a 747-47C VIP transport for the nation's prime minister, arrived this morning from Tokyo. It flew in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and his staff, as he will visit various sites around O‘ahu, including the USS Arizona Memorial with US President Barack Obama on December 27th.

LZ-AWH

LZ-AWH (msn 2914), an A320-232, recently acquired by Ansett Worldwide (AWAS), is stopping through HNL as it ferries from CRK [Clark Air Base, Philippines] to Argentina (via GUM, HNL, PVR [Puerto Vallarta, México], and SAL [San Salvador, El Salvador]).

2914 was originally delivered to Air Deccan in October 2006, lease from PAFCO, as VT-ADS. A year later, the airline rebranded as Simplifly Deccan; and the A320 was sold to AWAS, remaining with the airline. In March 2009, it was leased to SriLankan Airlines as 4R-ABH. In October 2011, it was leased to TransAsia Airways as B-22312, until this month.

Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄

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

Hawaiian Airlines Launches HND-KOA Service

Hawaiian Airlines launched its thrice-weekly A330-243 service between HND and KOA today. N393HA "Lehuakona" (msn 1422) made the inaugural flight for Hawaiian's second route pairing out of HND.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Island Air's Q400s

Island Air is preparing to take delivery of its first Dash8-Q400, N681WP (msn 4543), as it makes its way from YYZ to HNL. This is the second time around with the Q400 for Island Air, which briefly had N539DS in 2006. N681WP will be the first of three delivered by April 2017, and part of a total of seven Q400s for the airline, that will replace the current five ATR72-300s.

Further details in this Island Air press release.

Hainan Airlines' B-1549

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1549 (c/n 60158, l/n 6210) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1549, and will overnight at HNL.

Batik Air Malaysia's 9M-LCK

Baitk Air Malaysia is taking delivery of 9M-LCK (c/n 38318, l/n 6191) this evening. The 737-8GP, which has decals marking the 178th 737 for the Lion Group, is making its delivery flight from BFI as MXD1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-7589

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7589 (c/n 41503, l/n 6208) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Middle Tennessee Team Charter

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team has chartered an Atlas Air 767-300ER to make its trip from BNA to HNL, as the team will play the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors in the Hawai‘i Bowl on Saturday, December 24th. N661GT (c/n 30110, l/n 775), a 767-36NER, is flying as GTI8645. The team will return to BNA following the game, as GTI8646.

Allegiant Air's N329NV

Allegiant Air is taking delivery of N329NV (msn 2876). The A319-111 is making its ferry flight from CAN to IND (via GUM, MAJ, HNL, and ONT) as its previous Philippine registry, RP-C3198.

2876 was originally delivered to Cebu Pacific Air in September 2006 as RP-C3198, and was recently acquired by Allegiant.

Hainan Airlines' B-1548

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1548 (c/n 43419, l/n 6202) this afternoon. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1548, and will overnight at HNL.

N319CR

N319CR (c/n 28406, l/n 141), another former China Airlines 737-809, is also ferrying from TPE to GYR, with stops at GUM and HNL. 

28406 was delivered to China Airlines as B-18608, and sold to Mid American Aerospace [Cedar Rapids, IA].

N142MD

N142MD (c/n 29104, l/n 139), a former China Airlines 737-809, is ferrying from TPE to the SGT [Stuttgart Municipal Airport, Stuttgart, AR], with stops at GUM and HNL. It will be placed into storage at SGT.

29104 was delivered to China Airlines in December 1998 as B-18607, and was recently acquired by GECAS.

JA22MJ

Another of Mitsubishi's MRJ90 test jets, JA22MJ (msn 10002), has made a stop at HNL as it transits from NKM to MWH (via SPN, MAJ, HNL, and SJC) for testing and certification.

VP-BEN

VP-BEN (c/n 28530, l/n 390), a white tail 777-212ER, is ferrying from VCV to KUL(?), via HNL. It made a stop here this afternoon. After searching the Bermudan registry website, it did not give any information as to the current owner, nor previous registries. Aeros808 reports that the VP- registry is a decal over "9M-_GA". Searching for any 777-200s going to Malaysia turned up blank. The playback on FligthRadar24.com only showed its Mode-S Code, 42433E, as the only aircraft data.

28530 was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in March 2002 as 9V-SQI. In June 2008, it was sold to Pembroke Aviation, then leased back to Singapore. It was withdrawn from service in December 2014, and flown to VCV for storage, where it was registered as EI-FGT.

Mahalo to Skyliners.de for getting us Boeing construction number and line number.

Air China's B-7897

Air China is taking delivery of B-7897 (c/n 60861, l/n 6196) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

N573UA

N573UA (c/n 27313, l/n 554), a former Japan Airlines 767-346, is ferrying from HND to SBD, via HNL, with a quick fuel stop. It was delivered to Japan Airlines in October 1994 as JA8399, and was recently acquired by Unical Aviation [City of Industry, CA].

China United Airlines' B-1572

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-1572 (c/n 61685, l/n 6192) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA572, and will overnight at HNL.

N118WF

N188WF (c/n 24690, l/n 1885), a 737-4Y0, is ferrying from TNA to CLW (via GUM, MAJ, HNL, and OAK). It's owned by Southern Air Consultancy [Bungay Suffolk, United Kingdom].

24690 was originally purchased by Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA), and leased to Pegasus Airlines in July 1990 as TC-AFL. Later, that December, it was leased to Futura under several Spanish registrations, and sub-leased twice to TransBrasil, also sub-leased to Ryan International Airlines, Nordic European Airlines, Aer Lingus, and Corsair. In April 1998, it was acquired by GECAS, and remained with Futura, and sub-leased to Nacional Transportes Aéreos, Ryan International, Merpati Nusantra, and Jetairfly. In January 2009, it was leased to Sriwijaya Air as PK-CJW, until September 2015, where it was stored at CGK.

China Eastern Airlines' B-2212 & B-2213

China Eastern Airlines is ferrying a pair of A320-214s, B-2212 (msn 1316) and B-2213 (msn 1345) from XIY [Xi‘an Xianyang International Airport, China] to MZJ, as they are being returned to Aircastle. B-2212 is flying as CES905, and B-2213 is flying as CES906, and has made stops at SPN and MAJ. The former was delivered in November 2003, and the latter delivered in January 2004.

Hawaiian Airlines To Add More Aircraft

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they will purchase an additional A330-243, and lease an additional two A321neos. These additions will increase their A330-243 fleet to 24, and have a total of 18 A321neos on order. The moves are being done in order to accelerate the retirement of their 767-300 fleet.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

China United Airlines' B-1573

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-1573 (c/n 61695, l/n 6180) this afternoon. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA573, and will overnight at HNL.

ATI's N820BX

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to March 2005, with Air Transport International's DC-8-71, N820BX (c/n 46065, l/n 460), seen above on Taxiway RT.

46065 was originally delivered to United Airlines as a DC-8-61, in June 1969 as N8098U. In November 1983, the JT3D-3B power plants were replaced with CFM56-2C1s, and upgraded to a DC-8-71. It remained with United until the early 90s. In January 1993, ATI acquired this airframe, and converted it into a freighter, as N820BX. ATI operated it for Burlington Air Express (BAX) and BAX Global. This DC-8 is currently owned by ATI's parent company Cargo Air Management (CAM), and continues to fly for ATI.

Conair's C-GVFK

Conair Aviation's RJ85 firebomber, C-GVFK (msn E2268, t/n 391), is making a stop at HNL as it heads to Australia for its summer forest fire fighting efforts. It's flying from YXX, and has made stops at OAK and HNL.

E2268 was originally delivered to Lufthansa Cityline in October 1995 as D-AVRH. In March 2012, Falko Regional Aircraft acquired it as G-OCLH. Aerial firefighters Aero-Flite acquired the RJ85 in December 2015 as N223AC. Conair acquired it this past February as C-GVFK.

Air China's B-7891

Air China is taking delivery of their second 737-89L in the past seven days, with B-7891 (c/n 43418, l/n 6177). It is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

N631GT

N631GT (c/n 25685, l/n 430), a 767-375ER, is ferrying from MZJ to QPG (via LAX and HNL) on its way to be converted into a freighter. Owned by Atlas Air, it will have the Amazon.com "Prime Air" livery, and operate on behalf of the online retailer, and be re-registered as N1217A.

25685 was originally ordered by Canadian Airlines International, as C-GCAW, but was not taken up, and was sold to Guinness Peat Aviation in April 1992. In November 1992, it was leased to China Southern Airlines as B-2561, but was subsequently sold to GECAS in October 1996, and remained with CSN. In January 1997, it was leased to LAN Chile as CC-CRG.  In September 2004, CIT Leasing acquired this 767-375ER, and it remained under lease with LAN, until October 2014. During its time with LAN, it was transferred to LAN Argentina from December 2008 to October 2010 as LV-BTE. In January of this year, Atlas Air acquired this 767 as N258CT, and re-registered it as N631GT, but was stored at MZJ.

Fiji Airways Orders 737 MAX8s

Boeing and Fiji Airways announced that the airline will order five 737 MAX8s as replacement for its current 737NG fleet. The first two are slated for delivery in 2018.

Further details in this Airways Magazine article.

Asia Pacific Airlines' N705AA Modified Livery

Asia Pacific Airlines' N705AA (c/n 22462, l/n 1751) is the first of their 727-200Fs to receive the livery similar to their 757-200F, N757QM. It was flown to OPF (via PHX) in August for maintenance and repainting, and returned to service this month.

Island Air Explorers

The Island Air Explorer program has been in existence for the past several years. The annual program is open to high school and college students who are seeking a career in the aviation industry.

Further Information in this Island Air press release.

China Southern Airlines' B-7997

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7997 (c/n 43894, l/n 6171) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN997, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-7896

Air China is taking delivery of B-7896 (c/n 60859, l/n 6168) today. The 737089L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

Allegiant N330NV

A A319-111 formally belonging to Cebu Pacific Air is now heading to the Mainland for Allegiant Air. RP-C3193 (msn 2786) was delivered to Cebu Pacific Air in February 2006. It will become N330NV once delivered to Allegiant.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' RA-82079

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' An-124-100, RA-82079, made a stop at HNL as it transits from ARA [New Iberia, LA] to PER, as VDA2186.  It made stops at IAH, HNL, and POM.

China Eastern Airlines' B-7592

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7592 (c/n 41502, l/n 6167) today. The 737-89P is making delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan Airlines' B-1545

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1545 (c/n 60157, l/n 6166) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1545, and will overnight at HNL.

P4-SJM

Geostar's P4-SJM (c/n 30751, l/n 401), a 737-7CG BBJ, has made a stop at HNL. Operated by Sino Jet, it arrived from PEK this morning.

30751 was originally delivered to GKW Aviation in October 1999 as N800GK, then re-registered in June 2000 as N888GW. In August 2001, Silver Arrows acquired this BBJ, as P4-GJC, and operated it for Russian magnate Roman Abramovich. In February 2005, Ivanhoe Capital Aviation purchased 30751 as VP-BMC; then sold it in September 2005 to Hualalai LLC, as N888NY, and leased it to Clay Lacy Aviation. Legatum Aviation acquired it in March 2008, and registered as N737L. Sino Jet acquired it this past August.

Republik Indonesia's A-001

The Republic of Indonesia's BBJ2, A-001 (c/n 41706, l/n 3902), has made a stop at HNL. The 737-8U3 BBJ2 arrived this morning.

Batik Air Malaysia's 9M-LND

Batik Air Malaysia is taking delivery of 9M-LND (c/n 38316, l/n 6159) tonight. The 737-8GP is making its late night delivery flight from BFI as MXD1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

UNC Tar Heels Team Charter

The fifth-ranked University of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team chartered a Sun Country 737-800 for its road trip against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N821SY brought the Tar Heels from RDU to HNL (via LAX) as SCX8661; the aircraft returned to LAX as SCX8662, as the team will stay for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational basketball tournament, that begins on Monday, November 21st.

N81GG Crashes On Molokaʻi

N81GG (msn 100346D), a Hughes 369D owned by local attorney Gary Galiher, crashed on Molokaʻi yesterday, and claimed the lives of Galiher and a passenger.

Our condolences and prayers go out to the Galiher ʻohana and his passenger's ʻohana.

Russian Air Force RA-85655

A TU-154M of the Russian Air Force arrived this afternoon. RA-85655 (c/n 89A798) visited a year ago in December. It flies under the "Open Skies" Treaty which promotes the international aviation industry.

Nok Air's HS-DBX

Nok Air is taking delivery of HS-DBX "Nok Tawan" (c/n 61297, l/n 6162) today. The 737-88L is making its delivery flight from BFI as NOK6900, and will make an overnight stopover at LIH.

JA24MJ

Mitsubishi's MRJ90, JA24MJ (msn 10004) has made a stop at HNL, as it makes its way from NKM [Nagoya, Japan] to MWH [Moses Lake, WA]. This MRJ90STD is the second test aircraft to ferry across the Pacific for testing and certification.

Hainan Airlines' B-1542

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1542 (c/n 41380, l/n 6149) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1542, and will overnight at HNL.

Qantas VH-QPH in New Livery

After getting a new coat of paint in Victorville, California, VH-QPH (msn 695) is making its way back to BNE as QFA6004. The new livery update coincides with Qantas' 787 operation starting up in late 2017.

Boise State Broncos Team Charter

The Boise State Broncos have chartered an Alaska Airlines 737-990ER for their road trip to HNL from BOI (via OAK). N487AS (c/n 44108, l/n 5597), which flew as ASA9680, brought the team today, for its game on Saturday against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors.  The team will return to BOI that evening, following the game on ASA9681, N474AS (c/n 40715, l/n 5431).

China Eastern Airlines' B-1535

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1535 (c/n 41481, l/n 6151) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Kunming Airlines' B-7089

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-7089 (c/n 60166, l/n 6146) today. The 737-8LY is makings delivery flight from BFI as KNA7089, and will overnight at HNL.

Batik Air Malaysia's 9M-LNC

Batik Air Malaysia is taking delivery of 9M-LNC (c/n 38314, l/n 6117) tonight. The 737-8GP is making its late night delivery flight from BFI as MXD1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto PNI.

C-FFDO

Bombardier's CS300 Flight Test Vehicle 8, C-FFDO, is back at HNL from a non-stop flight from HND, and due to return to the mainland. While in Asia, it stopped at ZUH and HND.

Hawaiian To Resume JHM Service

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that the airline will resume daily service between HNL and JHM (2 round-trips) and OGG and JHM (1 round-trip), using their ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary, beginning on January 18, 2017.

Hawaiian Airlines built and operated JHM from 1987 to 1993 using Dash7s, before selling the airport to the state. 

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

China Eastern Airlines' 2-ADET

China Eastern Airlines is returning one of their leased A319-112s. Registered now as 2-ADET (msn 1601), is ferrying from PVG to the US mainland to Castlelake Leasing. It was delivered to China Eastern in October 2001, under lease from GECAS. In August 2004, it was sold to Novus Aviation Capital; and sold to Castlelake, some time in 2013. photo to follow ...

Aloha Airlines' N746AL

Our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to September 2004, with Aloha Airlines' 737-76N, N746AL "Kaha‘i" (c/n 29905, l/n 372), seen above departing from Runway 8L to a west coast destination.

29905 was originally purchased by GECAS, and leased to LAPA [MJ/LPR] (Argentina) in October 1999 as LV-ZRP. In October 2002, it was leased to Aloha Airlines as N746AL, with Blended Winglets added a year later. It flew with Aloha, until the airline's closure in March 2008. In October 2008, it was leased to VARIG as PR-VBU, operated by GOL. The ownership was transferred to AerCap in 2009. In 2013, it was integrated into GOL's fleet, and continues to fly in Brazil.

China United Airlines' B-7986

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-7986 (c/n 61684, l/n 6134) today. The 737-89P is makings delivery flight from BFI as CUA986, and will overnight at HNL.

C-FFDO

Bombardier's CS300, C-FFDO (msn 55002) made an overnight stop at HNL, after arriving from ICT (via DEN). "Flight Test Vehicle 8", wearing Air Baltic titles, and one of two test aircraft, departed today for an unknown destination.

Urumqi Air's B-1570

Urumqi Air is taking delivery of B-1570 (c/n 42161, l/n 6133) this morning. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as B1570, and will overnight at HNL.

New Mexico Lobos Team Charter

The University of New Mexico Lobos football team has chartered Allegiant Air's N903NV (c/n 26966, l/n 520) for its game against the University of Hawaii‘i Rainbow Warriors. The flight, AAY4407, arrived early this evening from ABQ (via LAS), and the team will return to ABQ following Saturday evening's game as AAY4408.

Qantas Airways' VH-QPJ

Qantas Airways ferried VH-QPJ "Port Stephen" (msn 712) from VCV to SYD, with a stop at KOA as QFA6004. The A330-303 is the first Qantas airliner to wear their 2016 livery, in anticipation of taking delivery of their first 787-9 within the next 12 months. The A330 made a two-hour late-night fuel stop at KOA. VH-QPJ, and Qantas' new look was unveiled at their hangar at SYD.

Further information in this Qantas Airways press release.

China Southern Airlines' B-7996

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7996 (c/n 43898, l/n 6130) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN196, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-7599

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-89P within the past two days, with B-7599 (c/n 41500, l/n 6131). It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL.

Lucky Air's B-7991

Lucky Air is taking delivery of B-7991 (c/n 61796, l/n 6128) this morning. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as B7991, and will overnight at HNL. This is Lucky Air's second 737NG delivery within the past four days.

Hainan Airlines' B-1541

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1541 (c/n 43417, l/n 6129) this morning. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is makings delivery flight from BFI as CHH1541, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1537

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1537 (c/n 41499, l/n 6126) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

SilkAir's 9V-MGQ

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MGQ (c/n 44233, l/n 6121) today. The 737-8SA is making its delivery flight from BFI as SLK8880, and will overnight at KOA.

Lucky Air's B-1565

Lucky Air is taking delivery of B-1565 (c/n 39222, l/n 6123) today. The 737-74P is makings delivery flight from BFI as B1565, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-7895

Air China is taking delivery of B-7895 (c/n 60857, l/n 6124) this afternoon. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian Airlines Moana Logo-Jet

On October 15th, Hawaiian Airlines debuted their Disney's "Moana" logo-jet. An unveiling and blessing ceremony was held with 300+ guests in attendance. N392HA "Hikianalia" (msn 1404) was chosen as the first of three of the company's 23 A330-243s to wear the promotional livery. The decision to utilize Hikianalia as the debut aircraft was made in coincidence with the theme of the upcoming movie as it shares the name of one of the two traditional Hawaiian Voyaging canoes (with sister ship Hōkūle‘a) which is currently on an epic adventure around the world.

The unveiling of the new logo-jet was a closely kept secret. The previous day, prior to the announcement ceremony, Hikianalia was towed into the United Airlines Maintenance hangar to have the decals applied. Lighting production and event audio was also prepared in time for the photoshoot with two of the movie's main cast. Auli‘i Cravalho, voice of Moana, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, voice of the demigod Maui, showed up in the early evening for their promotional photoshoot with Hikianalia, and Hawaiian's CEO Mark Dunkerley.

Hawaiian's first promotional livery aircraft was pressed into service the today as HA16 to San Diego.

UNLV Rebels Team Charter

The University of Nevada - Las Vegas Rebels football team chartered a Sun Country Airlines 737-8BK, N818SY (c/n 29646, l/n 2282), for their road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. The Rebels arrived this evening from LAS as SCX8651, and will return to LAS after the game.

Hawaiian Airlines Partners With Maryknoll School

Hawaiian Airlines President & CEO Mark Dunkerley presented Maryknoll School with a $50,000 grant for the school's Mx Scholar Program for STEM and Aerospace.

Further details in this Maryknoll School news article, a few photos on the school's Instagram page, and KITV4 News report.

Yangtze River Express's B-1571

Yangtze River Express is taking delivery of B-1571 (c/n 40744, l/n 5932) yesterday. The 737-8EH is making its delivery flight from LCH [Lake Charles, LA] as B1571. 

This 737 was originally ordered by GOL, but was not taken up, and acquired by Aircastle, registered as N739AC, then ferried to LCH for storage.

NASA's 83-0502

Formally flying for the United States Air Force, this G-20A (Gulfstream-III) was acquired by the National Aeronautical and Space Administration in 2003 to become a test-bed/research aircraft. Hanging below 83-0502 (c/n 389) is an Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) array. According to their website, 83-0502 was used to survey Mauna Loa yesterday. For more information click here.

B-54111

A private A319-115CX ACJ operated by Eva Air arrived form Taipei this afternoon. B-54111 (c/n 5792) wears no markings of its operator.

N278TA

N278TA (msn 278), an A340-313, is ferrying from SFB [Orlando Sanford International Airport, FL] to CGK, via HNL.

278 was purchased by Orix Aviation, and leased to Air Canada in June 1999 as C-GDVZ (f/n 910). In June 2009, it was leased to Air Asia X as 9M-XAC, and wore the Oakland Raiders special livery for three years. It was subleased to Saudi Arabian Airlines from June 2012 to November 2013. After it was returned to Air Asia X, it remained as a white tail, but wore a decal for Wakanow.com (a Nigerian travel company) for a short period of time. It was stored at SZW [Schwerin-Parchim, Germany] from August 2015 to July 2016. Lufthansa Technik acquired this A340, and registered it as D-AAAM, and ferried to SFB.

Trans World Airlines' N637TW

Our October edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to August 2001, and Trans World Airlines' N637TW (c/n 25403, l/n 409, f/n 16107). The 767-33AER is seen above at HNL's Gate 23, getting ready to depart for STL.

25403 was originally purchased by AWAS, and leased to LAN Chile [LA/LAN] as CC-CEU in January 1992. GECAS purchased this 767 in 1998, and leased it to Air Madagascar [MD/MDG] that April as 5R-MVZ; and re-registered in September as 5R-MFC. In September 1999, it was leased to TWA as N637TW. Following the merger between TWA and American Airlines, N637TW was transferred, and assigned the AAL fleet number 6TE. In September 2004, it was leased to BRA Transportes Aéreos [BRB] (Brazil) as PR-BRW; and was sub-leased to Ocean Air [O6/ONE] (Brazil) in November 2007 for a few months, before it was returned to GECAS. Ryan International Airlines [RD/RYN] leased this 767-33AER from July 2009 to January 2013 as N637TW. Since then, it has been sitting storage at MZJ.