Conair's C-GVFK Returns

After another Summer Fire Season in Australia, Conair's C-GVFK (s/n E2268, l/n 391) is flying back to home base Abbotsford (CYXX/YXX) in Canada. The RJ-85 flew in from it's Summer base of Avalon (YMAV/AVV), in Victoria, Australia via Brisbane (YBBN/BNE),  Honiara International (AGGH/HIR, former Henderson Field) in the Solomon Islands, and Marshall Islands International (PKMJ/MAJ) before landing last night in Honolulu. 

Delta's N708DN

Delta's flight 41 from Los Angeles to Sydney diverted into Honolulu this morning due to a mechanical issue.  N708DN (c/n 39254 l/n 789), a 777-232LR could not continue onto Sydney and will remain in Honolulu.

It continued onto Sydney later in the evening as flight 41A.

Hainan Airlines' B-7378

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-7378 (c/n 60701, l/n 6329) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH8378, and will overnight at HNL.

Korean Air Ends 747-400 Flights To HNL

Today, Korean Air has ended their 747-400 flights to HNL from ICN [KAL53/54]. HL7460 (c/n 26404, l/n 1107), a 747-4B5, made the final flight from and to ICN. Korean Air's new 747-8Is will replace the older -400 models.

Shandong Airlines' B-7805

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7805 (c/n 43896, l/n 5325) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG7805, and will overnight at HNL.

KOA Begins Terminal Modernization

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) broke ground today on the first phase of terminal modernization at the Elison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole [KOA]. The $75 million project will streamline operations, and enhance passenger experience. 

 Further details in this HDOT news release.

Boeing's N7874 Returns To KOA

Boeing's test 787-8, N7874 (c/n 40693, l/n 4), has returned to KOA from BFI today as BOE784 to continue further test flights south of Hawai‘i Island.

China Southern Airlines' B-2052

China Southern Airlines is ferrying B-2052 (c/n 27358, l/n 24) from CAN to GWO via HNL. The 777-21B is making its ferry flight as CSN8653, and will overnight at HNL. It was delivered to China Southern in February 1996, and withdrawn from service on March 6th.

Virgin America Brand To Disappear In 2019

Alaska Airlines announced today, that the Virgin America brand will be going away at an undetermined date in 2019. Elements of Virgin America's in-flight service will be retained, and incorporated into the Alaska Airlines in-flight service and experience.

Further details in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Hawaiian Airlines To Relocate At LAX

In May 2017, there will be a major shift of airlines operations at LA, with Delta Air Lines' moving from LAX's Terminals 5 and 6, to Terminals 2 and 3. As part of this undertaking, Hawaiian Airlines will move their operations from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5, which they will share with JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and American Airlines.

During the transition period, and the weeks following, departing passengers are advised to check-in online, print their own boarding passes, and check terminal and gate information prior to arriving at LAX.

Further details in this LAWA.org news page, and the LAX relocation website.

Myanmar National Airlines' XY-ALG

Myanmar National Airlines is taking delivery of XY-ALG (c/n 43422, l/n 6316) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as UBA737, and will overnight at HNL.

Hainan Airlines' B-5060

Hainan Airlines is returning B-5060 (c/n 28582, l/n 154), a 737-76N, to GECAS. It's making its ferry flight from HAK (with stops at GUM and HNL) to GWO as CHH5060, and arrived here earlier this morning. Sadly, it's destined to be parted out, then scrapped at GWO.

28582 was originally leased by GECAS to VARIG in December 1998 as PP-VQB. In January 2003, it was leased to Hainan's subsidiary, Shan Xi Airlines as B-5060. In August 2006, it was transferred to its Lucky Air subsidiary. In June 2012, B-5060 was transferred to Hainan Airlines.

Mitsubishi's JA23MJ

JA23MJ (msn 10003), a Mitsubishi MRJ90 test jet, has stopped off at HNL, as it ferries to MWH for testing and certification.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1422

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1422 (c/m 41496, l/n 6313) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian Airlines Adds KOA-LIH Service

This morning, Hawaiian Airlines launched service between KOA and LIH, complete with hula performers and a Hawaiian blessing prior to boarding of HAL599. The return leg, HAL500, is flown in the afternoon. The route pairing of Kona and Līhu‘e is the longest in the airline's inter-island network, at 263 miles, and a 58-minute flight time. N488HA "Puai‘ohi" (c/n 55001, l/n 5002, f/n 88), was the 717-26R to make the inaugural flight.

Makani Kai Air's N865MA Crashes At LUP

Makani Kai Air's C208B Grand Caravan N865MA (msn 208B0996) was involved in a hard landing at LUP this morning. Thankfully, none of the nine passengers nor pilot were injured. N865MA suffered damage to both wings, collapsed nose gear, and propellor, and appears to be not flyable. Reports also say that there was a Cessna 172, N243SP (msn 172S8212), owned by Sky Dolphin [Honolulu, HI], that allegedly cleared the runway, but did not, which could classify this as a runway incursion. Later reports say that the C172 was in the turn-around, and the C208 pilot over-reacted, and their actions caused the accident.

Further information in this KHON2 News report.

Hawaiian Airlines' N495HA

Hawaiian Airlines has taken delivery of N495HA "‘Akiapola‘au" (c/n 55185, l/n 5145, f/n 95) today. It arrived today from OAK as HAL8983, in full Hawaiian Airlines livery, leased from Boeing Capital.

55185 was originally delivered to Midwest Airlines [YX/MEP] in July 2005 as N923ME, leased from Boeing Capital. In April 2010, it was leased to MexicanaClick [QA/CBE] as N923ME. In December 2011, it was leased to Volotea [V7/VOE] (Spain) as EC-LPM, until October 2016.

Hawaiian Airlines Adds A321neo Simulator

Hawaiian Airlines has added an Airbus A321neo full flight simulator at its Honolulu flight simulator facility. The airline will be taking delivery of the first A321neos in early 2018.

This new simulator, along with its A330 counterpart, are the only two full flight simulators in the islands.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Virgin America To Begin SFO-KOA

Alaska Airlines announced they are launching seven new route pairings based out the Bay Area with their Virgin America arm; one of the new routes will be daily service between SFO and KOA, that will launch on December 14th.  Alaska also announced six other new Bay Area route pairings on the mainland with their E175s.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' RA-82046 Returns

Volga-Dnepr's RA-82046 returned to HNL, as it makes it way back to the mainland to return the AH-64E Apaches that they transported to the Avalon Airshow. It's flying as VDA2066, and will continue to IWA.

China Eastern Airlines' N7857B

N7857B (c/n 29358, l/n 1651), a former China Eastern Airlines 737-79P (leased from AerCap), is making its ferry flight from KMG to PAE, via GUM and HNL. It will be repainted, reconfigured, and leased to Southwest Airlines. I saw it lining up for a Runway 26R departure from the H1 East freeway, in the peacock livery.

29358 was delivered to China Eastern in February 2005 as B-5094. It had Blended Winglets installed in 2011. In May 2014, it was acquired by AerCap, and the lease with CES continued. In January 2015, B-5094 was painted in the orange Yunnan Peacock livery, along with the new CES rebranded logo.

Aloha ‘Oe KBay P-3C Orions

The last three Lockheed P-3C Orions of VP-9 departed Marine Corps Air Station Kāne‘ohe Bay for the last time, as the unit will upgrade to the P-8A Poseidon, and relocated to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA.

Further details in this Stripes.com article.

Xiamen Air's B-7816

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-7816 (c/n 42938, l/n 6296) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8099, and will overnight at HNL.

Deer Jet's 2-DEER

Deer Jet's 787-8 BBJ, 2-DEER (c/n 35309, l/n 143), has made a stop at OGG from SFO today as N2DEER. The airline is part of the Hainan Air Group, and provides luxury business jet service.

Mahalo to OGGSpotting for the photo!

10 Tanker Air Carrier's N612AX

10 Tanker Air Carrier's DC-10-30ER is making its way back to the Mainland after another Australian Fire season. N612AX (s/n 48290 l/n 435) arrived this morning from RAAF Richmond, Australia NSW via Pago Pago, American Samoa.

Batik Air Malaysia's 9M-LCM

Batik Air Malaysia is taking delivery of 9M-LCM (c/n 38940, l/n 6242) tonight. The 737-8GP, their second delivery within the past three days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as MXD1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Launches JHM Service

Thirty years to the day when the Kapalua Airport opened and Hawaiian Airlines began Dash7 service, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian launched its daily service between HNL and JHM today. N801HC made the inaugural flight this morning, that was greeted with a water cannon shower at JHM, after it exited Runway 20.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Omni Air International's N630AX

Our March edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Omni Air International's DC-10-30, N630AX (c/n 46596, l/n 301) seen above at HNL's Gate 14 in October 2004, as it prepared to leave for LAS operating for Vacations Hawaii.

45696 was originally delivered to Condor Flugdienst [DE/CFG] in December 1979 as D-ADQO. It was painted white in the late 80s from the original bare metal livery, and flew with Condor until June 1999. Three months later, it was acquired by Omni Air International [X9/OAE] as N630AX, and flew until it was stored at VCV in October 2009. N630AX was scrapped at VCV in September 2011.

Island Air's N682WP Enters Service

Island Air has put its second Q400 NextGen into service today. N682WP "Na‘au Pono", made its first revenue flight as MKU414 to OGG earlier this morning. Both Q400s are flying the OGG service, as well as some of the KOA flights.

United Upgrades KOA-DEN To Daily

United Airlines announced that they will upgrade its summer KOA-DEN (UAL1731/1758) 757-200 service from weekly to daily, effective June 8th.

Further details in this West Hawai‘i Today article.

Hainan Airlines' B-6103

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-6103 (c/n 44930, l/n 6288) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH6103, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong Airlines' B-7885

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7885 (c/n 43895, l/n 6287) this morning. The 737-85N, their second delivery within the past five days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG7885, and will overnight at HNL.

Batik Air Malaysia's 9M-LCP

Batik Air Malaysia is taking delivery of 9M-LCP (c/n 43186, l/n 6282) tonight. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as MXD1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

Qantas VH-QPJ

Qantas' "Rainbow-Roo" livery A330-303 dropped in for today's QFA3-4 run from Sydney. VH-QPJ (msn 712) was painted this month with a modified new livery in support of  Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Aeroméxico's XA-AMZ

Aeroméxico [AM/AMX] is taking delivery of XA-AMZ (c/n 29927, l/n 727), as it ferries from NRT to TIJ [Generál Albelardo L Rodriguez International Airport, Tijuana, Baja California, México] as AMX8546. The 737-8AS, leased from Aircastle, made a non-stop flight from NRT to HNL for its first leg.

29927 was originally delivered to Ryanair in December 2000 as EI-CSN. In February 2009, it was acquired by CIT Leasing, then leased to Garuda Indonesia as PK-GEL. In 2012, 29927 was sold to Aircastle, and continued with Garuda, then withdrawn from service in November 2016. It's was painted at CGK into the Aeroméxico livery this past January.

Shandong Airlines' B-7669

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of their 100th 737NG today, with B-7669 (c/n 60160, l/n 6285). It has commemorative decals on both side of the aft fuselage to mark the milestone. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG7669, and will overnight at HNL.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' RA-82077

Another Volga-Dnepr Airlines An-124-100M, RA-82077 (c/n 9773054459151, l/n 07-09), has made a stop at HNL from KHV [Khabarovsk Novy, Khabarovsk, Russia], as VDA3015.

RA-82077 was originally delivered to Polet Flight in August 1995. The airline ceased operations in April 2015. Volga-Dnepr Airlines acquired this An-124 last month.

HNL RareBirds Visits N806NA

We got the opportunity to visit NASA's ER-2S, N806NA (msn 80-1063), as it prepared to make a research flight this morning from Marine Corps Air Station Kāneʻohe Bay [NGF]. At 0900HST, it departed NGF's Runway 4 in less than 1,000 feet from Taxiway F, for its 2.5 hour flight.

The ER-2S made a research flight over Maui County to map the four island's coral reefs at an altitude of 65,000 feet. It also made reef mapping runs above the northeast coast of O‘ahu. The aircraft is equpped with an Airborne Visible / Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVRIS) system to perform the experiments. The aircraft returned to NGF with a flawless landing, after the Oʻahu overflights.

The other mission for N806NA here in Hawaiʻi are overflights over the volcanoes on Hawaiʻi Island to map the progress of volcanic emissions and its effects on the environment. The flights can be followed at NASA's Airborne Science Program web page.

Hainan Airlines' B-7377

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-7377 (c/n 60700, l/n 6280) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH7377, and will overnight at HNL.

Volga-Dnepr's RA-82046

Volga-Dnepr Airlines' RA-82046 (c/n 97730522555117, l/n 06-10) made a stop at HNL from IWA [Phoenix Gateway Airport, AZ]. It's transporting several US Army AH-64E Apache helicopters to AVV [Avalon Airport, Geelong, Australia] for the Avalon Airshow.

American Airlines' N730AN

American Airlines' 777-323ER, N730AN (c/n 31554, l/n 1217, f/n 7LP), made a medical diversion to HNL today. It's flight is listed as AAL72 (SYD-LAX). The aircraft, crews, and passengers will overnight at HNL.

N712AX

N712AX (c/n 23307, l/n 126), a former Asian Air 767-2J6ER, has stopped off at HNL from UTP [U-Tapao International Airport, Ban Chang, Thailand], as it ferries to ILN [WIlmington Air Park / Airport, Wilmington, OH].

23307 was originally delivered to CAAC-Civil Aviation Administration of China in October 1985 as B-2551. Three years later, CAAC changed its name to Air China. In August 2007, it was sold to ABX Air, and registered as N712AX. In May 2009, it was acquired by Sky King. Two years later, it was went to Air Transport International. In December 2011, went to Dynamic Airways, but withdrawn from use three months later. In January 2014, it was sold to Asian Air as HS-DCM, and was placed into storage two years later. In November 2016, Cargo Aircraft Management acquired 23307, and its registration reverted back to N712AX, and will probably be converted to a freighter.

HDOT Considers Closing Rwy 4L/22R

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is considering closing Runway 4L/22R due to runway incursions, and the risk of losing federal grant money. The runway in question is primarily used by general aviation aircraft as it is 6,952 feet long, and 150 wide, though some inter-island flights will use the runway to land if traffic, or other runway closures permit. Runway 4 Left is about 9,000 feet downrange from the approach end of Runway 8 Left, thus there is a "Land And Hold Short" (LAHSO) operation in effect. It would mean more use of Runway 4 Right, which is used by both commercial and general aviation, and LAHSO would still be in effect. Currently, commercial and military departures are assigned Runway 8R, and arrivals to Runway 8L; Runway 4R has some commercial arrivals, as well as general aviation departures and arrivals.

Both HDOT and the FAA say that HNL annually leads the nation in runway incursions, but the statistics does combine all incursions from encroaching the hold short line to near-miss, but for HNL, the incursions have been on the lowest end of the scale. The FAA would call for a temporary runway closure. 

Further information in this KHON2 News report.

N598BC

N598BC (c/n 28402, l/n 113), a former China Airlines 737-809, is ferrying from TPE (via GUM) to GWO, and will stop at HNL this evening. 

28402 was originally delivered to China Airlines in October 1998 as B-18601. From June 2000 to April 2001, it was transferred to its Mandarin Airlines subsidiary. It served with China Airlines until November 2016, when it was withdrawn from use, and stored at TPE.  It was sold to GECAS earlier this month.

Air China's B-1417

Air China is taking delivery of B-1417 (c/n 43424, l/n 6271) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA48, and will overnight at HNL.

N599XQ

N599XQ (msn 415), Dash8-315 owned by the Bank of Utah, has made a stop at HNL from MNL (via SPN and MAJ), as it ferries to BTR [Baton Rouge Regional Airport, Baton Rouge, LA]. It also made a stop at MRY from HNL.

This Dash8 was most recently registered as N505LL, and has stopped through HNL in the past.

NASA's N806NA To Overfly The Islands

N806NA (msn 80-1063), a Lockheed ER-2S, that NASA has, is here at NGF to perform research flights over the volcanoes on Hawai‘i Island. It's one of two ER-2S that belongs to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

Further details and video in this KITV news report and this KHON news report.

Air Canada Reveals New Livery

Today, Air Canada unveiled a new livery for their fleet, along with new uniforms for their cabin crew, as the airline celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

Further details in this Air Canada webpage.

Hawaiian's N494HA

The first of two "new" 717-2BLs for Hawaiian Airlines, under lease from Boeing Capital, arrived this afternoon from Oakland as HA8981. In keeping with the tradition of naming their fleet of 717s after native birds, N494HA (c/n 55182, l/n 5138, f/n 94), was given the Hawaiian name of the White-tailed Tropic bird, Koa‘e Kea.

N494HA was originally leased to Midwest from Boeing Capital Corporation on December 6, 2004 as N920ME. It then went to MexicanaClick on January 6, 2010 as N920ME. Volotea Airlines became the next operator to lease the frame on March 21, 2013 and received the Spanish registration, EI-FBK.

AirAsia X To Start HNL Service In June

Malaysia's AirAsia X [D7/XAX] announced that they will begin four weekly A330-300 flights between KUL and HNL, with a stop at KIX, starting on June 28, 2017. The airline, which received an approval from the FAA, two weeks ago, filed schedules for this new service.

Further details in this Airways Magazine news article.

Boeing's N7874

Boeing's N7874 (c/n 40693, l/n 4), a 787-8 test aircraft, has made a stop at KOA. It arrived from COS [Colorado Springs, CO] as BOE784, this afternoon.

Boeing's N8704Q

Boeing's 737-8 MAX test aircraft N8704Q (c/n 36988, l/n 5788), is returning to BFI from a certification test stint at DRW [Darwin International / RAAF Airport, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia], with stops at GUM and HNL, and flying as BOE104.

After the test phase completed, it will be delivered to Southwest Airlines with the same registration (f/n 8704).

Island Air To Increase Frequencies

Island Air announced today that they will increase frequencies to OGG, LIH, and KOA, as more Q400 Next Gens arrive.

Further details in this Island Air press release.

Near Collision Incident At OGG

The Maui News reports that there was a near collision incident at OGG between a Makani Kai Cessna C208B Grand Caravan and a Hawaiian Airlines 717-200 yesterday morning. The 717 was departing from Runway 2 as HAL155 to HNL, and the Caravan was departing from Runway 5, which both runways cross paths at the departure end. The 717 was forced to make an evasive right turn to avoid the collision, then continued onto HNL without further incident, and no injuries were reported. Neither the Hawaiian Airlines 717-200 nor the Makani Kai Air Grand Caravan has been identified.

Mokulele Airlines commented at the end of the Maui News article, that none of their flights were involved in this incident. Hawaii News Now has identified the Grand Caravan as being from Makani Kai Air as identified by the FAA. In the FlightRadar24 playback, it does show the 717 change course, but does not show the Caravan, nor does it list which 717 it was.

Archived mp3 recording from LiveATC.net.


02.04.16 Update

The Aviation Herald reports that it was Hawaiian Airlines' N478HA and Makani Kai's N865MA (as their call-sign) as the two aircraft involved in this incident.

SR Jet's B-3220

SR Jet's B-3220 (msn 19000641), an E190 Lineage 1000, has made a stop at HNL from PVG (via SPN). SR Jet, also known as Sparkle Roll Jet, is a business jet operator based in Tianjin, China.

B-3220 was delivered to Minsheng International Jet in April 2014. Two years later, it was acquired by Yalian Business Jet, but it appears it was either sold or leased to SR Jet.

Air Transport International's N799AL

Our February edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to April 2005, with Air Transport International's DC-8-62, N799AL (c/n 45922, l/n 335), departing HNL's Runway 8R.

N799AL was retired by ATI in May 2013. It is now one of the main attractions at the Naval Air Museum at Barbers Point, as ATI donated the DC-8-62CF to the museum.