China Southern Airlines' B-1286

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1286 (c/n 63412, l/n 7012) today. This 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1286, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-1287

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1287 (c/n 63690, l/n 7022) this morning. This 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8199, and will overnight at HNL.

Kingdom of Morocco's CN-MVI

The Kingdom of Morocco's 737-8KB BBJ2, CN-MVI (c/n 37545, l/n 2696), is making a stop at HNL from the mainland today.

Hainan Airlines' B-1102

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1102 (c/n 62573, l/n 6981) today. This 737-84P, their second this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1102, and will overnight at HNL.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N806HC

‘Ohana by Hawaiian is taking delivery of their fourth ATR42-500, N806HC "Kili‘o‘opu" (msn 594), today. It's making its delivery flight from COE [Pappy Boyington Field, Coeur d'Alene, ID] via CMA [Camarillo, CA], flown by Southern Cross Aviation as SXA496.

594 was originally delivered to Aeromar [VW/TAO] (México), in October 1999, as XA-TPS "Estadio de Colima", and flew until December 2016. It sold back to ATR, and was ferried to TLS and stored. ‘Ohana by Hawaiian acquired this ATR42 in April 2018, ferried it to COE for painting and interior configuration, and will enter service operated by Empire Airlines.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1265

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1265 (c/n 63065, l/n 7017) today. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

N971NZ

N971NZ (c/n 25371, l/n 2196), a 737-4Q8F, is ferrying from Dothan, AL [DHN] to Auckland, New Zealand [AKL], via ONT, JRF, and PPG. It's being leased to Airwork NZ from AWAS, and is being ferried by Jet Test and Transport as JTN8120. The registration will be changed to ZK-PAU, after it arrives in New Zealand.

25371 was originally built for ILFC, and delivered to Cayman Airways in January 1992 as VR-CAA. In July 1993, it was leased to Carnival Airlines as N404KW. In May 1998, it was leased to Olympic Airways as SX-BKK, with a hybrid livery. In 2001, it was painted in the full Olympic livery. When Olympic re-branded as Olympic Airlines in 2003, SX-BKK was transferred over. In April 2006, it was leased to Sky Airlines [ZY/SHY] (Turkey) as TC-SKG "Gold", and painted in a special gold livery. In July 2013, it was sold to Ansett Worldwide (AWAS), and leased to Blue Air [0B/BMS] (Romania) as YR-BAR. It was returned to AWAS in December 2017, and ferried to DHN for freighter conversion.

Hillwood Airlines's N737AT

Hillwood Airways' [HWA] (Fort Worth, TX) N737AT (c/n 36756, l/n 2405), a 737-7HJC BBJ, is making a stop at HNL from AFW [Fort Worth, TX] as HWA170.

This BBJ has a quick-change layout to either fly cargo, or up to 94 passengers.

36756 was originally delivered to the US Department of Defense in December 2007 as N529PP, with the quick-change capability (similar to the US Navy's C-40Bs). In October 2014, it was re-registered as N737AT. It was sold to Hillwood Airways in July 2017.

Alaska Airlines Announces SMF-KOA Service

Alaska Airlines announced this morning that they commence thrice-weekly 737-890 service between  the Sacramento International Airport [SMF] and the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole [KOA] on 20 December 2018.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CZZ

A Ukraine Air Alliance Antonov An-12BP, UR-CZZ (msn 401605), has made a fuel stop at HNL from IAH, via OAK, as UKL4045. It's continuing onto MAJ after its two-hour stopover.

Armée de l'Air's F-RADA

F-RADA (msn 421), an Armé de l'Air A310-304, is making a stop at HNL today from PPT.

This A310-304 was originally delivered to Royal Jordanian in March 1987 as F-ODVD "Prince Hashem", leased from AFS. In November 1993, it was purchased by the Armée de l'Air as F-RADA, and the interior converted for VIPs.

The Rare Tahitian Airport Views Facebook page as a video clip of F-RADA departing PPT for HNL early this morning.

Hainan Airlines' B-1101

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1101 (c/n 62574, l/n 6997) today.  This 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1101, and will overnight at HNL.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82009

Antonov Airlines fifth An-124 charter flight for the Hawai‘i Army National Guard is being flown on UR-82009 (c/n 19530501008, l/n 01-08), an An-124-100M-150. It will fly from NRT to JRF as ADB291F. From HNL on, it will fly as ADB2491.

Northern Air Cargo's N401YK

Northern Air Cargo's N401YK (c/n 25860, l/n 2545), a 737-436F, is flying to HNL from ANC (via OAK) as NAC401. It's being temporarily assigned to Aloha Air Cargo.

25860 was originally delivered to British Airways in December 1993 as G-BHVB. In April 1994, it was leased to EuroBelgian Airlines [BQ/EBA] as OO-LTS. From February to October 1996, it was sub-leased to Air Provence Charter [LPU] (France) as OO-LTS. It was returned to British Airways in October 1996, but was re-registered as G-GBTB, and flew with the airline until May 2015, when it was retired to VCV a few weeks later. Six months later, it was acquired by Automatic LLC, and stored at TPA. In May 2017, it was converted to a freighter, then leased to Northern Air Cargo a month later.

N937UW

N937UW (c/n 27245, l/n 630), a former American Airlines 757-2B7, is making its ferry flight from PHX to XSP (via HNL and SPN), for freighter conversion, as it will be leased to SF Airlines by Aircastle.

27245 was originally delivered to US Air in June 1994 as N624AU. It was part of the re-branding to US Airways in 1997. Ten years later, it was sold to Aircastle, then leased back as N937UW (f/n 937). In 2009, it had Blended Winglets installed. When US Airways was acquired by American Airlines, it was transferred into the latter's fleet, and flew until November 2017, where it was stored at GYR.

Hawaiian Airlines' N212HA

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of their first A321-271N, N212HA "Wiliwili" (msn 8129), that was assembled at the Airbus North America's Final Assembly Center at Mobile, AL [BFM/KBFM]. It's making its delivery flight from BFM to PAE as HAL9973, for in-flight entertainment systems installation.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82008

Antonov Airlines' UR-82008 (c/n 19530501006, l/n 01-06), is the next An-124-100M-150 to make the Hawaii Army National Guard charter flight to transport two CH-47Fs to Afghanistan. It arrived  at JRF this morning, from DAC [Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, Bangladesh] as ADB294F. After the helicopters are loaded, it will fly to HNL for fuel as ADB2490.

Hawaiian Airlines Retires N588HA

Hawaiian Airlines has retired N588HA "‘Iwa" (c/n 33466, l/n 890) from its fleet, as it was sold to United Airlines. This 767-3CBER made its last revenue flights yesterday, as HAL39 (PDX-OGG) then HAL8039 (OGG-HNL). It departed this morning for OAK as HAL9990, and continue to MCI as HAL9992 for storage before it's taken up by United.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines is making its third flight in four days to JRF to pick another pair of Hawai‘i Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopters for its unit's deployment to Afghanistan. UR-82029 (c/n  19530502630, l/n 02-10), an An-124-100, is flying from VCV to JRF as ADB293F, and will make the flight from JRF to HNL (and on) as ADB2493.

Air China's B-1218

Air China is taking delivery of B-1218 (c/n 60895, l/n 6992) today. This 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA47, and will overnight at HNL.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82072

Another Antonov Airlines An-124-100-150, UR-82072 (c/n 9773053359136, l/n 07-05), is making a stop at JRF to pick up two more Hawai‘i Army National Guard CH-47F helicopters. UR-82072 arrived from ORD as ADB294F this morning. It will continue onto HNL as ADB2494 for fuel, then head west to Guam.

Okay Airways' B-1267

Okay Airways is taking deliver of B-1267 (c/n 63621, l/n 6989) this afternoon. This 737-8KF is making its delivery flight from BFI as OKA1267, and will overnight at HNL.

Air Force One Stops At HIK

On his return to Washington, DC, US President Donald J Trump, aboard Air Force One, will make a one-hour fuel stop at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam this afternoon. President Trump is returning from his summit talks in Singapore with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-Un. 92-9000 (c/n 23825, l/n 685), a VC-25A (747-2G4B), made the trip to the summit and back as "Air Force One".

Sun Country Airlines Reveals New Livery

Sun Country Airlines revealed the winner of their new livery contest via their Twitter account. The airline's employees had the final vote to determine the winner of the four proposed designs. It has not been determined when the first Sun Country 737-800 will receive the new look.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82073 At JRF

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82073, which had been sitting on HNL's North Ramp, was positioned to the Kalaeloa Airport today, to pick up two Hawai‘i Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment for deployment to Afghanistan.

China Southern Airlines' B-1240

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1240 (c/n 63261, l/n 6982) today. This 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN240, and will overnight at HNL.

Hebei Airlines' B-1129

Hebei Airlines is taking delivery of B-1129 (c/n 42971, l/n 6986) today. This 737-8LW is making its flight from BFI as HBH1129, and will overnight art HNL.

Orbital Science's N140SC

N140SC (msn 193E1067), the Orbital Sciences L-1011-385-1 Tri-Star, named "Stargazer", made a stop at HNL from VBG [Lompoc Airport, Vandenburg AFB, CA]. It's on its way to KWA [Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, FSM] to launch the Pegasus rocket mounted on its centerline pylon.


06.07.18 Update
N140SC returned to VBG without launching the Pegasus rocket today.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 15003

A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 (A310-304), 15003 (msn 425), made a stop at HNL as CFC3184, this evening. It's pictured above departing the next morning.

425 was originally delivered to Wardair Canada in January 1988 as C-FWDX "H.W. 'Harry' Hayter" (f/n 802). When Wardair was acquired by Canadian Airlines International, the former's fleet was transferred. From June 1991 to January 1992, it was leased to Compass Airlines [YM/CYM] (Australia) as VH-YMI. After its return to Canadian Airlines International, it flew with the airline until December, when it was sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force as 15003.

Kaiser Air's N737KA

Kaiser Air's 737-7BX, N737KA "Lani" (c/n 30740, l/n 776), has made a stop from VBG [Vandeneburg AFB, Lompoc, CA] that is flying as KAI233, accompanying the Orbital Science L-1011, N104SC, mission to KWA.


06.07.18 Update
N737KA also returned to VBG along with N140SC.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82073

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82073 (c/n 977305459139, l/n 07-06), is making a stop at HNL from CMB [Bandaranaike International Airport, Colomo, Sri Lanka], via NRT, as ADB290F.


06.11.18 Update
UR-82073 will positioning to JRF, as ADB292F, to pick up Hawai‘i National Guard Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment for its deployment to Afghanistan. After loading up, the An-124 will return to HNL as ADB2492 for fuel, then head out to deliver the choppers.

Honeywell's N757HW

Honeywell International's 757-225, N757HW (c/n 22194, l/n 5), is stopping off at HNL from PHX, on its way to Asia. 

It taxied to Taxiway F, for its overnight parking spot. It will depart tomorrow morning for GUM, then KUL. 

HNL RareBirds YouTube Channel

HNL RareBirds has created its own YouTube Channel, separating from the Blue Wave Pix YouTube Channel. The airliner videos posted on the latter's channel will be moved over to the RareBirds channel.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1486

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1486 (c/n 63063, l/n 6979) today. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9004, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong Airlines' B-1275

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of their first 737 MAX 8, B-1275 (c/n 61440, l/n 6953), today. It's wearing special markings for the Guomei Liquor Group on the forward and aft sections below the window line, along with an image of Confucius on the aft portion of the fuselage. B-1275 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1275, and will overnight at HNL.

go!'s N655BR

Our June edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to June 2006, and the launch of Mesa Airlines' go!, that would be the third entrant in the inter-island against Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. N655BR (msn 7457, f/n 655) was one of three CRJ-200ERs to wear the original go! livery, and is seen above, on the Elliott Street ramp, a few days before the airline commenced operations.

7457 was originally delivered to Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA), operated by United Express, in December 2000. Independence Air [DH/IDE] acquired N655BR in June 2004, and flew until the airline's shutdown in January 2006. Five months later, Mesa Airlines acquired N655BR, and assigned it to its go! subsidiary. In June 2009, this CRJ-200ER was sold to Mexicana as XA-EMI for its Mexicana Link subsidiary. After Mexicana shutdown in 2011, Air Wisconsin acquired it as N471ZW (f/n 471) for US Airways Express. When American Airlines acquired US Airways, this CRJ-200ER became part of the American Eagle fleet, with the fleet number Z71. In late 2017, Air Wisconsin assigned N471ZW to United Express (f/n 471), where it continues to fly.

Hawaiian Airlines Launches Service To Long Beach

Today, Hawaiian Airlines launched daily A321-271N service between Daugherty Field, Long Beach, CA [LGB] and HNL as HAL70/69. N204HA "‘Ōhia Lehua" is making the inaugural flight, that depart from Gate 59. Hawaiian held pre-boarding festivities with remarks by President and CEO Peter Ingram. N204HA is seen above departing from Runway 8R for LGB.


Our California partner, Michael Carter, also had coverage on his Aero Pacific Flightlines website.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Mokulele Airlines Holds Terminal 3 Blessing

Mokulele Airlines held a blessing ceremony and festivities for today's passengers at their new facilities at HNL's Terminal 3. Passengers were treated to remarks by Mokulele President Robert McKinney, a prayer and blessing by New Hope Legacy's Senior Pastor Makana Delovio, and entertainment by Anuhea Jenkins (accompanied by Jason Sensation).

Mokulele brought in N847MA from KOA, which was recently painted in the airline's new livery in the teal variation.

The airline, using North Ramp Hardstand 1C, can handle four Caravans at any time (Gates H1-H4), and can expand up to six if need be. They will also launch service between HNL and LUP (Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i) tomorrow, as they received the FAA's EAS contract. Mokulele also has the EAS contract to provide passenger service to HNM (Hāna, Maui).

New HNL Terminal And Gate Designations

Beginning tomorrow, 01 June 2018, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation's Airports Division has given the terminals with alphabetical designations, the gates with alpha-numeric designations, and the baggage claim numeric designations at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport. Please refer to the above illustration for the changes.

AirAsia X To Go Daily For Three Months

Airways Magazine reports that AirAsia X plans to go daily on its KUL-KIX-HNL A330-300 service from 18 August to 27 October.

Air New Zealand's ZK-OKD Diversion

Air New Zealand's 777-219ER, ZK-OKD (c/n 29401, l/n 550), flying as ANZ23 [YVR-AKL], made a diversion to HNL early this morning. The flight arrived around 0140HST, after its weather radar was knocked from turbulence. Repairs were made, and the flight to AKL resumed, but returned as the issue re-appeared. It's scheduled to continue onto AKL as ANZ6077 on Friday.

HDOT Breaks Ground On Mauka Extension

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) held a ground breaking and blessing ceremony for the new Mauka Extension of the Inter-Island Terminal (to be known as Terminal 1) at the Daniel K Inouye International Airport today. When completed (estimated to be by the end of 2020), it will be able to handle six of Hawaiian Airlines' A330-243s or 787-9s wide-bodies, or eleven 717-200s or A321-271Ns narrow-bodies.

Demolition of the Commuter Terminal and parking lot will begin on Friday, June 1st.

Further information in this HDOT press release.

News coverage by KHON.

Shanghai Airlines' B-2498

Shanghai Airlines is ferrying B-2498 (c/n 27684, l/n 849) from PVG to MZJ, via SPN and HNL. This 767-36D is making its retirement flight as CSH9765.

B-2498 was delivered to Shanghai Airlines in August 2001, and withdrawn from service in March 2018.

Mokulele Airlines Opens Terminal 3

Mokulele Airlines opens operations at the new Terminal 3 today. The inter-island airline moved its operations across the airport to the Diamond Head (east) end, as the Commuter Terminal was closed to make way for the Mauka Extension of the Inter-Island Terminal.

Fiji Airways' DQ-FJW Diversion

Fiji Airways' flight FJI811, from LAX to NAN, made a diversion to HNL after a fight broke on board between an Australian national and two passengers. Flight attendants restrained him, and the flight crew made the decision to divert, where the assailant was taken into custody by the FBI. Fiji Airways'  A330-343, DQ-FJW (msn 1692), was the airliner involved.

Further information in this Hawaii News Now article.

Centurion Air Cargo's N987AR

A new visitor on the Kona ramp today, is Centurion Air Cargo's [WE/CWC] MD-11F, N987AR (c/n 48427, l/n 471) on a flight from MIA (via LAX). It's flying for Sky Lease Cargo [GG/KYE] as KYE4855.

Lanmei Airlines' XU-963

Lanmei Airlines [LQ/MRK] (Kampuchea) is taking delivery of XU-963 (msn 3463) today. This A319-132 is delivering from TAP [Tapachula, México] to PHN [Ponchentong International Airport, Phnom Penh, Kampuchea], via HNL, GUM, and CAN as MRK3463.

Air China's B-1221

Air China is taking delivery of B-1221 (c/n 60984, l/n 6915) this morning. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA48, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-1288

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of their first 737 MAX 8, this morning. B-1288 (c/n 42956, l/n 6942) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8199, and will overnight at HNL.

According to this Boeing Mediaroom press release, B-1288 is also Xiamen Air's 200th 737 delivered to the airline.

NASA's N992NA

NASA's Gulfstream III, N992NA (msn 309), arrived at HNL today. It's mission will be to overfly the the volcanic activity on the east side of Hawai‘i Island. The G-III is equipped with NASA's UAVSAR (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar) pod mounted on the underside.

FlightRadar24.com has the flight track over the Puna side of Hawai‘i Island.

Japan TransOcean Air's JA08RK

Japan TransOcean Air is taking delivery of JA08RK (c/n 61481, l/n 6948) this afternoon. This 737-8Q3 is making its delivery flight from BFI as JTA9851, and will overnight at HNL.

Air New Zealand Wet-Leases 9H-SUN

Air New Zealand has wet-leased an A340-312 from Hi Fly Malta [5M/HFM]. 9H-SUN (msn 367) is operating Air New Zealand's ANZ9/10 (AKL-HNL-AKL) service, while ANZ's 787-9s have its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines repaired. The Telegraph reports that the FAA, EASA, and the engine manufacturer notified airlines using the Trent 1000 to limit ETOPS flights to 140 minutes away from airports. According to our sources, this lease will be for about three weeks.

367 was originally delivered to AOM French Airlines [IW/AOM] in December 2000 as F-GTUA, under lease from Flightlease. In October 2003, it was leased to SriLankan Airlines [UL/ALK] as 4R-ADE. From 2007 to 2014, Macquarie AirFinance owned this A340. Castlelake bought this Airbus in 2014, and is the current owner. SriLankan Airlines returned this A340 in October 2015. Three months later, it was leased to Hi Fly Malta as 9H-SUN, where it flies as a white tail. From June to December 2017, it leased to Corsair [SS/CRL].

China Southern Airlines' B-1241

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1241 (c/n 63262, l/n 6952) this morning. This 737-81B, their second delivery this month, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1241, and will overnight at HNL.