24 March 2021

Alliance Airlines' N912QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery its fifth ERJ-190AR, N912QQ (msn 19000012), as it makes its way from SJO to BNE (via TUS, OAK, HNL, and MAJ). It's also been painted in a special livery to commemorate the centennial of the Royal Australian Air Force. Southern Cross Aviation is ferrying this ERJ-190AR as SXI2114, and is making an overnight stop at HNL. It will receive its Australian registration, VH-UYB, after its arrival at BNE. The above photo shows the details of the RAAF Centenary 2021 artwork.

19000012's History:
Dec 2005: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1540CMP, and flew until Mar 2020.
Nov 2020: Acquired by TVPX Services.
Mar 2021: Delivering to Alliance Airlines.

23 March 2021

Hawaiian Airlines Announces OGG-PHX Service

Hawaiian Airlines will launch seasonal four-times-weekly OGG-PHX service from May to August. The service will be flown with their A321-271N fleet.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

14 March 2021

Antonov Airlines' UR-82027

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100M, UR-82027 (c/n 19530502288, l/n 02-08), is making stops at HNL as it makes multiple flights from NTL [Newcastle-Willamtown Airport, Newcastle, Australia] to YMX [Montreal-Mirable Airport, Montreal, QC, Canada] and back. On March 11th, it arrived from BNE as ADB3735, and continued to YMX with the same flight number. On the return flight from YMX on the 13th, it flew to HNL as ADB335F, then as ADB334F to BNE today.


03.17.21 UPDATE
UR-82027 is making a stop at HNL from NTL (via BNE) as ADB3744.

28 February 2021

Transair Hawaii Orders A 737-400F

CH-Aviation.com reports that TransAir Hawaii has ordered a 737-400F, that will undergo freighter conversion at DHN in June. N251AU (c/n 25104, l/n 2476), a 737-4Q8, should join the Transair Hawaii sometime in September or October, after its conversion by AEI. The airliner is currently in storage at TPA. This 737-4Q8F will be their first CFM56-powered 737. 

25104's History:
May 1993: Delivered to Alaska Airlines as N771AS (f/n 771), under lease from ILFC.
Nov 1997: Sold to AWAS, and lease transferred.
Dec 2013: Withdrawn from service, returned to AWAS, and stored at GYR.
Apr 2014: Acquired by Jet Midwest.
Jan 2015: Leased to Flair Airlines as C-FLHJ (f/n 405).
Aug 2020: Returned to lessor, and stored at TPA, then sold to Automatic LLC.


27 February 2021

DA40 Crashes Off Of Lāna‘i

A Diamond DA40 Diamond Star crashed off of Lāna‘i this afternoon after 1725HAST. Thankfully, the two aboard the light aircraft survived, and were rescued by a US Coast Guard 14th District HH-65 Dauphin from JRF. According to FlightRadar24.com, the DA-40 (owner not disclosed) flew from HNL to LNY. On the return leg, the DA40 circled offshore (see FlightRadar24 app screenshot), before it attempted to head back to LNY.

Mokulele Airlines' N852MA, flying as FDY858 (LNY-MKK) circled the area, then Kamaka Air's N347KA took up the monitoring until the Coast Guard rescue helicopter and other rescue craft arrived.

Further information in this Kathryn's Report article.


28 Feb 21 UPDATE
The DA40 was registered as N680DS (msn 40.680), owned by George's Aviation, was rented for a training flight.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82008

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100M, UR-82008 (c/n 19530501006), is making an overnight stop from CUN [Cancun, México] as ADB309F. The flight originated in BEL [Belem, Brazil], and is headed for MEL.

25 February 2021

Alliance Airlines' N998QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of N998QQ (msn 19000098). This ERJ-190AR is making its delivery flight, flown by Southern Cross International, from SJO to BNE (via SDM, HNL and MAJ) as SXI2107. It will be registered as VH-UYO.

19000098's History:
Aug 2007: Delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1563CMP.
Jan 2010: Leased to Aero Republica.
Oct 2010: Leased to Copa Airlines Colombia.
Jly 2019: Returned to Copa Airlines, and flew until Mar 2020.
Nov 2020: Bought by TVPX Trust Services
Feb 2021: Delivering to Alliance Airlines.

24 February 2021

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 (c/n 19530502630, l/n 02-10), is making an overnight stop at HNL as ADB308F from SWF. It will continue onto MEL tomorrow.

20 February 2021

N569TM

N569TM (c/n 28569, l/n 2996), a white tail 737-36NF, is making its ferry flight from TPA [Tampa, FL] to HLP [Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia], via MCC, HNL, MAJ, and BIK. Jet Test is ferrying the 737 as JTN5. It will join the fleet of Tri-M.G. Intra Asia Airlines [GM/TMG] of Indonesia, an all 737-300F cargo airline as PK-MGA "Ainun.

28569’s history
Feb 1998: delivered to Air France as F-GFRC, leased from GECAS.
Apr 2003: GECAS leased to Ukraine International Airlines as UR-GAN.
Jan 2015: GECAS leased to Alas Uruguay as CX-OAA.
Feb 2017: Sold to Aergo Capital, and leased to Latin America Wings (LAW) as CC-AVL.
Sep 2018: Aergo leased to Star Air Cargo as ZS-TIW.
Oct 2020: Bought by Bank of Utah, and converted to a freighter as N569TM.

13 February 2021

Asia Pacific Airlines’ N922TS

Asia Pacific Airlines’ fourth 757-200F is making its delivery flight from MCI to GUM (via HNL and MAJ). N922TS (c/n 24825, l/n 300), a 757-260PF, is making the MCI-HNL segment using its registration, and the HNL-MAJ-GUM segments as a revenue flight, MGE302.

The former N754CS was ferried from MIA to MCI for final prep work, and received its present registration there as well.

12 February 2021

OE-IGV

Avolon Leasing is ferrying OE-IGV (msn 3457) from KUL to TUS, via GUM and HNL. This white tail A320-214 is making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

3457’s history
Apr 2008: Originally delivered to IndiGo as VT-INS, under lease from Allco Aviation.
Jan 2011: It was sold to HKAC, and the lease transferred.
Jan 2016: Avolon acquired this A320, and transferred the lease, and was withdrawn from service in Feb 2020, and stored at KUL.

United Airlines Announces New Hawai‘i Routes

This morning, United Airlines announced new services from the mainland to the Hawaiian Islands that will begin later this year. 

For HNL, United will launch daily 737-724 service from SNA on May 6th. This will be the airline's eighth mainland gateway. The last service between SNA and HNL was with Aloha Airlines, that operated from 2000 to March 2008, when the airline shutdown.

For OGG, United will launch four-times-weekly 767-300ER service from EWR on June 3rd. EWR will be United's fifth gateway to serve Kahului.

For KOA, United will launch four-times-weekly 787-8 service from ORD, also beginning on June 3rd. ORD is fourth gateway to serve Kona.

Further information is in this United Airlines press release.

09 February 2021

Allegiant Airlines’ RP-C3262

Allegiant Airlines is taking delivery of their latest A320-214, RP-C3262 (msn 4537), and is making an overnight stop at HNL tonight. Its delivery flight route is from CAN to SJO, via MNL, GUM, HNL, and ONT. It will be re-registered as N288NV.

4537’s history
Dec 2010: Originally delivered to Cebu Pacific Air in December 2010. 
Mid-2015: Painted into their current livery.
Nov 2017: Sold to Arena Aviation Capital, and leased back, then withdrawn from service in Sep 2020 and stored at CAN.
Dec 2020: Acquired by Allegiant Airlines.

05 February 2021

C-GKSN

C-GKSN (msn 493), a DHC-6-300 Twin Otter owned by Beau Del Leasing of Calgary, AB, Canada, is making a delivery flight from YBW [Springbank Airport, Calgary, AB, Canada] to CGK, via BOI, SMX, HNL, MAJ, and BIK. It's not known who the new lessee will be.

Twin Otter World has a complete history of C-GKSN.

Solomon Airlines' N805RT

Solomon Airlines is taking delivery of N805RT (msn 470). This DHC-6-300 Twin Otter is flying from F70 [French Valley Airport, Murieta, CA] to HIR [Honaira International Airport, Solomon Islands], via SMX, HNL and MAJ. It's owned by Ikhana Aircraft Holdings of Murieta, CA, and has a decal on the nose of this "Twotter".

Twin Otter World has the complete history of MSN 470.

28 January 2021

Southwest Airlines To Add LGB-OGG Service

With the addition of slots at the Long Beach Airport allotted to Southwest Airlines, the airline announced six more routes from LGB, one of which is OGG, that begins on March 11th.

Previously, Southwest announced that HNL was in the initial destinations from LGB. The Dallas-based carrier will compete against Hawaiian Airlines at Long Beach.

Further information in this Southwest Airlines press release.

23 January 2021

Nauru Airlines' VH-YNU

Nauru Airlines is ferrying another 737-300, VH-YNU (c/n 25607, l/n 3127) from BNE to MIA, via INU, HNL and VNY, for freighter conversion. This 737-319, making an overnight stop at HNL, will spend a few months at MIA before returning to the Nauru Airlines fleet.

25067’s history
Oct 1999: Originally delivered to Air New Zealand as ZK-NGH, and flew until Nov 2014.
Dec 2014: Acquired by Nauru Airlines as VH-YNU.

14 January 2021

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Suspends Operations

With the US Department of Transportation's decision to award the non-funded Essential Air Service (EAS) contract to Mokulele Airlines for MKK and LNY, Hawaiian Airlines has suspended operations of its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary as of today. Both Empire Airlines (who handles the ATR42 and ATR72 operations) and Hawaiian Airlines will keep a minimal staff on-hand to maintain the fleet as it sits in storage at HNL.

Further details in this CH-Aviation.com report.

12 January 2021

Alliance Airlines' N932QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of their third ERJ-190AR, N932QQ (msn 190000212). It's making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, HNL, and MAJ, as SXI2101. N932QQ is making its stop at HNL from SDM tonight, and continue onto MAJ tomorrow morning. It will receive its Australian registration, VH-UYY, after it completes its delivery flight.

19000212’s history
Oct 2008: Originally delivered to Copa Airlines as HP-1568CMP, and flew to March 2020.
Nov 2020: Sold to TVPX as N932QQ, then sold to Alliance Airlines.

09 January 2021

Sriwijaya Air's PK-CLC Crash

Sriwijaya Air's 737-524, PK-CLC "Citra" (c/n 27323, l/n 2616), crashed several minutes after takeoff from CGK. The 737, flying as SJY182 [CGK-PNK], plunged from over 10,000' to the ocean. All 62 souls aboard perished in the crash.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the lost.

Further information in this World Airline News coverage.

PK-CLC was a 26-year-old originally delivered to Continental Airlines as N27610. In April 2012, N27610 ferried through HNL on its way to CGK to join the Sriwijaya fleet.

01 January 2021

HNL RareBirds 15th Anniversary

Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!

HNLRareBirds.com is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2021! Above is our commemorative logo that will appear in the lower right corner of our 2021 photos.

25 December 2020

Sriwijaya Air's PK-CMF


Sriwijaya Ảir is ferrying PK-CMF "Kemurnian" (c/n 32885, l/n 1147) from CGK to MZJ, via GUM and HNL. This 737-86Q is being ferried by Jet Test as JTN347.

32885 was originally purchased by Bouillion Air Services, then leased to Hainan Airlines in June 2002 as B-2675. It was sold to Aviation Capital Group in June 2005, transferred, and painted in the 2007 livery. B-2675 was returned to ACG in August 2014. Three months later, it leased to Sriwijaya Air as PK-CMF. from March 2017 to March 2019, it was a logojet for MXGP of Indonesia.

Nauru Airlines' N732NA

Nauru Airlines 737-3U3, N732NA (c/n 28732, l/n 2966), is returning from MIA after it underwent freighter conversion. It stopped through HNL as VH-ONU, and will receive the same registration when it returns to Nauru. It made a stop at VNY before arriving at HNL, and will continue onto INU and BNE. This 737-300 is scheduled to ferry back as a freighter some time in May.

Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄

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

24 December 2020

Con-Air's C-FFQE

Con-Air Aerial Firefighting's Dash8-Q400MR, C-FFQE (msn 4325, f/n 141), is returning to its YXX base.  It's making its way from BDB, via CNS, GUM, HNL, and OAK as FGD141. It arrived at HNL late last night.

23 December 2020

American Airlines To Add CLT-HNL

American Airlines is going to restart the old short-lived US Airways service between CLT and HNL from May to September 2021. The seasonal six-times-per-week service will be flown with 777-200ERs.

In December 2009, US Airways launched daily service between CLT and HNL. The service lasted for about two years.

21 December 2020

Hawaiian Airlines Takes The Rainbow Warriors Bowling

Hawaiian Airlines is flying the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team to DAL (via LAX) for their New Mexico Bowl matchup against the University of Houston Cougars on Christmas Eve. The game was moved to Frisco, TX due to the China Corona Virus pandemic situation in Albuquerque, NM. N215HA "Uhiuhi" (msn 8266) is making the flight as HAL776, and will return following the game as HAL777.


12.23.20 UPDATE
N215HA ferried from DAL to BIF [Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, TX] as HAL8932, and made a military charter flight to LEX as HAL1932, then returned to DAL as HAL9932.

19 December 2020

ZIPAIR Tokyo Launches NRT-HNL Service

ZIPAIR Tokyo [ZG/TZP], Japan Airlines' international low-cost carrier off-shoot, began service to HNL from HNL as TZP2 this morning. The return flight left a few hours later as TZP1. JA825J (c/n 34835, l/n 33) made the inaugural service.

Virgin Australia Returns Two 737-8FEs

Virgin Australia is returning two 737-8FEs to Aviation Capital Group (ACG) today. They are making their ferry flights from BNE to the US mainland via GUM, MAJ, and HNL, by Jet Test [JTN].

N341CG (c/n 34441, l/n 2015), formerly VH-VUI "Kewarra Beach", is making its ferry flight as JTN335. VH-VUI was originally delivered to Virgin Blue as "Brandi Blue" in August 2006. It was sold to Goshawk Aviation in September 2014 and leased back. In February 2016, it was acquired ACG, and withdrawn from service in March 2020.

N343CG (c/n 34443, l/n 2056), formerly VH-VUJ "Rosebud Beach", is making its ferry flight as JTN336. VH-VUJ was originally delivered to Virgin Blue as "Suzzie Blue" in September 2006. It was sold to Goshawk Aviation in June 2014 and leased back. In January 2016, it was acquired ACG, and withdrawn from service in March 2020.

OE-IRE

OE-IRE (msn 1562), an A330-343, owned by BBAM, is being ferried from SIN to the mainland via GUM and HNL.

1562 was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in September 2014 as 9V-SSD, leased from BBAM. It was withdrawn from service in March 2020. It has since been painted all white.

18 December 2020

Alliance Airlines' N974QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of their first Embraer ERJ-190AR, N974QQ (msn 19000174). It's making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, BNE, OAK, HNL and TRW [Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa, Kiribati]. It will be receive its Australian registry after arrival at BNE.

19000174 was originally delivered to Copa Airlines in May 2008 as HP-1567CMP, and flew with Copa until March 2020. Seven months later, it was acquired by TVPX Solutions as N974QQ.

11 December 2020

UNLV Team Charter

The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) arrives this evening on a team chartered Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for tomorrow's game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N214HA is making the flight from LAS as HAL773. The team will return to LAS following the game as HAL774.

08 December 2020

Hawaiian Airlines Announces Four New Routes

Hawaiian Airlines announced today, that they will add four new routes to their network beginning in March 2021. Beginning on March 9, 2021, Hawaiian will launch daily A321-271N service between OGG and LGB as HAL72/71. Two days later, the airline will launch twice-weekly A330-243 service between HNL and MCO [Orlando, FL] as HAL86/85. On March 16th, Hawaiian will re-launch service between HNL and ONT, with a five-times weekly A321-271N flights. On April 21st, Hawaiian will launch twice-weekly A330-243 service between HNL and AUS [Austin, TX].

From 2002 to 2004, Hawaiian had DC-10-10 service between HNL and ONT.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

05 December 2020

Allegiant Air's RP-C3261

Allegiant Air is taking delivery of its next A320-214, RP-C3261 (msn 4508). It's making its delivery flight from CAN to BQN (via MNL, GUM, HNL, and ONT) as CEB3261.

4508 was originally delivered to Cebu Pacific in December 2010 as RP-C3261, leased from Arena Aviation Capital. It was also painted in the current livery in 2016, and flew with Cebu Pacific until March 2020.

04 December 2020

Interjet's VP-BJN

VP-BJN (msn 7348), a former Interjet A321-211, is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL and GUM. This A321 is owned by the BOC Aviation, and the third of three leased to Interjet ferried to SIN.

7348 was delivered to Interjet in October 2016 as XA-AJB, leased from BOC Aviation. It flew with Interjet until the end of March, and stored at VCV in April, due to the downturn in air travel from the China Corona Virus.

03 December 2020

San José State Team Charter

With the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors road game to play the San José State University Spartans relocated to Hawai‘i, due to the China Corona Virus restrictions in Santa Clara County, CA, the Spartans are chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their game. N220HA is making the inbound flight rom OAK, as HAL747.

01 December 2020

All Nippon Airways' JA8174

Our December edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features All Nippon Airways' 747-281B, JA8174 (c/n 23501, l/n 648), departing Runway 8R as it returns to NRT.

23501 was originally delivered to ANA in June 1986, and flew with the airline until 2005. From August 1989 to March 1990, ANA operated it for Australian Airlines.  In November 2005, it was bought by Air Universal as AP-BIC, and leased to Pakistan International Airlines in December 2006 for an unknown duration. In March 2008, it was acquired by Hellenic Imperial Airways as SX-TIC, and flew with the airline until 2016. After it was withdrawn from service, it was flown to KHI [Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan], where it currently sits in storage.

26 November 2020

University of Nevada Team Charter

The University of Nevada Wolf Pack football team is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their Saturday evening road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N226HA is making the trip from RNO, with a stop as OAK, as HAL771. The Wolf Pack will return following the game as HAL772.

21 November 2020

Tigerair Australia's VH-VNO

Tigerair Australia is returning VH-VNO (msn 4053) to GECAS. This A320-232 is ferrying from MEL to SBD, via PPG and HNL.

4053 was originally delivered to Tiger Airways [Singapore] in October 2009 as 9V-TAL, under lease from GECAS. In March 2010, it was transferred to Tiger Airways Australia as VH-VNO. In July 2013, the airline rebranded as Tigerair Australia. VH-VNO was sold to Avolon, and the lease continued with Tigerair Australia. Due the China Corona Virus pandemic, it was withdrawn from service, and stored at MEL.

Conair's C-GVFK

Conair's C-GVFK (s/n E2268, l/n 391) is making it's annual trip South for the Australian Summer Fire season.

20 November 2020

Boise State Team Charter

The Boise State University Broncos is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243, N382HA, for their Saturday night road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N382HA is flying from BOI as HAL769, and will return the team to BOI as HAL770.

19 November 2020

Southwest Airlines Announces Long Beach Service

As part of an announcement of new routes, Southwest Airlines will add service between LGB [Long Beach, CA] and HNL, that will start on March 11, 2021. The airline was awarded more slots at LGB after jetBlue Airlines surrendered all of their slots. This new service will compete against the two flights that Hawaiian Airlines has out of LGB.

Further details in this Southwest Airlines press release.

18 November 2020

Allegiant Airlines' N286NV

Allegiant Airlines is taking delivery of its next A320-214, N286NV (msn 4447, f/n 286). It's making its delivery flight from HKG to BQN [Aguadilla, PR], via GUM, MAJ, HNL, and TUS. It's making an overnight stop at HNL tonight.

4447 was originally delivered to Cebu Pacific in October 2010 as RP-C3260. In 2016, it was painted into the current livery, and flew with CEB until May 2020, then stored at CAN from July to October, when it was flown to HKG to repaint into the Allegiant livery.

FAA Clears The 737 MAX To Fly

Today, the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the way for airlines to resume 737 MAX 8, MAX 9, and MAX 10 service. All US carriers must update their flight crew and maintenance trainings before the airliners return to service. Many delivered and undelivered 737 MAXs have been in storage for the past 18 months following the two fatal accidents. In the US, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines currently have MAX variants. Alaska Airlines has MAX9s on order.

The European Union and Canadian aviation safety agencies are next up to re-certify the 737 MAX.

Boeing will also remove the MAX name from the 737, and each variant will be known as the 737-7, 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10.

Further information in this FAA news release, Boeing Mediaroom release, and Airways Magazine report.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 (c/n 19530502630, l/n 02-10), is making a stop tonight at HNL from NTL [Newcastle, Australia] via BNE as ADB3581. It will continue onto YMX.

16 November 2020

Korean Air To Acquire Asiana Airlines

In a move to bolster South Korean commercial air travel, Korean Air announced today that they acquiring rival Asiana Airlines for over $1.6B USD. This merger would put the new Korean Air in the top ten in terms of airline size. The move by Korean Air's parent company Hanjin KAL, was partially due to the effects of the China Corona Virus pandemic on the airline industry as a whole. Prior to the pandemic, Asiana was experiencing financial troubles, and the current state of affairs made their situation much worse. This move should ensure the survivability of the South Korean airline industry, especially when it comes to international routes. The combined fleet will be over 250 aircraft with many common types.

Further details in this SamChui.com article.

15 November 2020

Qantas' 100th Anniversary

Qantas Airways celebrates its 100th anniversary today. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up in white and red LEDs as their 100th anniversary-liveried 787-9, VH-ZNJ (c/n 66074, l/n 929), made a pass above the bridge.

Video footage from SamChui.com.

Qantas has been a mainstay at HNL for decades from SYD.

Hawaiian Airlines To Keep 717-200s

Hawaiian Airlines plans to keep the 717-200 as the backbone of its inter-island fleet until at least mid-decade, or into the latter part of the decade. In an article at SimpleFlying.com, the airline said the 717 is the best airliner for the operation, and with the current environment, the airline has not begun to look for a replacement.

Starlux Airlines Proposes A TPE-HNL Route

Illustration of Starlux Airlines Airbus A350-1000
Starlux Airlines, Taiwan's newest airline, was granted new international routes with A350-900s and A350-1000s possibly beginning in 2022. One of the routes announced was Honolulu. Service would be with A350-900s, and would be competing with China Airlines' A350-900s.

Further information in this CH-Aviation.com article.

14 November 2020

Northern Air Cargo's N379CX

Northern Air Cargo is ETOPS testing one of its 767-300ERFs, N379CX (c/n 25199, l/n 433) from MIA as NAC9001/9002.

India Navy's N490DS

The Indian Navy is taking delivery of their eighth P-8I Neptune (737-8F.V), N490DS (c/n 64890, l/n 7757). It's making its delivery flight from BFI to India as BOE231, and is making an overnight stop at HNL

Interjet's VP-BJT

VP-BJT (msn 7358), a former Interjet A321-211 leased from BOC is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL and GUM, similar to sister-ship VP-BJK. It delivered to Interjet in October 2016 as XA-GEO, and was returned to BOC in March 2020.

11 November 2020

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 91st anniversary of its first flight today.

06 November 2020

Hawaiian Flies New Mexico Team Charter

Hawaiian Airlines is flying the team charter for the University of New Mexico Lobos football team for their game on Saturday, in Honolulu against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N393HA "Lehuakona" (msn 1422, f/n 393) is making the trip from LAS to HNL, and the A330-243 is flying as HAL767, due arrive this evening. The team will return to LAS following the game, late Saturday night as HAL768.

Due to a surge of COVID cases in Albuquerque, NM, the Lobos have relocated to Las Vegas to practice, and play home games at the Sam Boyd Silverbowl for this season.


11.08.20 UPDATE
N393HA made the return trip to LAS.

03 November 2020

Aloha Air Cargo's N361NC Flown To OPF

Aloha Air Cargo, and it's parent company Saltchuk Corporation, has ferried N361NC (c/n 23260, l/n 1146) from HNL to OPF, via OAK. This 737-301SF is being ferried for storage, as it's being put up for sale.

02 November 2020

Mitsubishi Suspends SpaceJet Program

CH-Aviation.com reports that the Mitsubishi SpaceJet (formerly the MRJ) program will be suspended until mid-decade partially due to the China Corona Virus pandemic and the certification process. Mitsubishi hopes to restart program in 2024.

01 November 2020

Delta Air Lines' N837MH

Our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back December 2005 with Delta Air Lines' 767-432ER, N837MH (c/n 29710, l/n 820, f/n 1813), wearing the "Colors In Motion" livery, departing Runway 22L.

N837MH was delivered to Delta in December 2000, and continues to fly for the airline. In spring 2010, it was painted to the current livery.

30 October 2020

Interjet's VP-BJK

VP-BJK (msn 7311), a former Interjet A321-211, is ferrying from VCV to SIN, via HNL, and GUM. It's making an overnight stop at HNL. The former XA-JPB, is an A321 is owned by BOC, and was leased to Interjet in autumn 2016, and returned in March 2020.

28 October 2020

Alliance Airlines' N922QQ

Alliance Airlines is taking delivery of their first Embraer ERJ-190AR, N922QQ (msn 19000222). It's making its delivery flight from SJO to BNE, via SDM, HNL and TRW [Bonriki International Airport, Tarawa, Kiribati]. It will be registered as VH-UYZ after arrival at BNE.

19000222 was originally delivered to Copa Airlines in November 2008 as HP-1569CMP, and flew with Copa until March 2020. Seven months later, it was acquired by TVPX Solutions as N922QQ.

27 October 2020

Hawaiian Airlines To Push Back 787-9 Deliveries

Hawaiian Airlines announced in their third quarter financial report that they will push back the deliveries of their 787-9 order with the first aircraft to now be delivered in September 2022. The ten ordered will deliver through 2026.

26 October 2020

‘Ohana To Continue EAS Service

According to a Hawaii News Now report, Hawaiian Airlines will extend ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger and cargo service between HNL and MKK, and HNL and LNY as part of Essential Air Service requirements by the USDOT into mid-January 2021. Service beyond mid-January will be decided later.

N413JG Mainland Charters

TransAir's 737-2Q8/Adv, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), has ferried to ADM [Ardmore, OK], via SBD, for charter flight work around the mainland.

15 October 2020

N902NZ

Airwork NZ is taking delivery of a 737-4D7F, N902NZ (c/n 28702, l/n 2978). It's flying from MIA to AKL, via MCC, HNL and PPG as JTN250.

28702 was originally delivered to Thai Airways International in January 1998 as HS-TDL "Srikarn", and flew with Thai until August 2008. Less than a year later, in June 2009, it was acquired by Tatarstan Air as VQ-BDB, and flew until November 2013, where it was stored at SAW. In June 2014, it was bought by Blue Air as YR-BAQ, and flew until October 2018. A month later it was acquired by Airwork NZ, and stored at ROW as it awaited freighter conversion, which began this past February at MIA.

09 October 2020

‘Ohana by Hawaiian To Suspend Operations

Hawaiian Airlines announced that it would suspend operations of its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian passenger and cargo services on November 1, 2020. Citing decreased demand due to the China Corona Virus pandemic, and the state's quarantine restrictions, the airline was forced to suspend operations of it subsidiary until significant demand for inter-island travel to MKK and LNY picks up.

Further information is in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

05 October 2020

Asia Pacific Airlines To Add Its Fourth 757-200F

Asia Pacific Airlines has acquired its fourth 757-200F, N754CS (c/n 24845, l/n 300). This 757-260PF is currently at MIA, being prepped for delivery. It will be the airline's first pure 757-200 freighter, as their current three were pax-to-cargo conversions. It's scheduled to be delivered in late November, and not known if the registration will be changed when the acquisition is complete.

24845 was originally delivered to Ethiopian Airlines Cargo in August 1990 as ET-AJS. In October 2006, it was painted in the airline's current livery. It was withdrawn from service in June 2018, and stored at ADD [Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia]. In November 2018, it was ferried to MIA, and a month later, sold to CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing.

02 October 2020

Thai Airway's HS-TKQ


 A Boeing 777-3ALER of Thai Airways made a brief stop to Hickam on it's way to Alexandria, IL operating as a military charter from Bangkok. HS-TKQ (s/n 41526, l/n 1129) made the return trip on Saturday, stopping for fuel in HIK.

OE-IAS

OE-IAS (msn 3357), an A320-232 owned by Avolon, is making a ferry flight from CGK to TUS, via GUM and HNL. It made an overnight stop at HNL last night.

3357 was originally delivered to IndiGo in January 2008 as VT-INP, leased from Allco Aviation. In January 2011 was sold to HKAC, and its lease transferred. In January 2016, it was sold to Avolon. VT-INP flew with IndiGo until November 2019, when it was withdrawn from service, and stored at CGK.

01 October 2020

Shenzhen Airlines' B-5105

Our October edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Shenzhen Airlines' 737-97L, B-5105 (c/n 33646, l/n 1764), seen above departing Runway 8R on its delivery flight in August 2005, in the original livery.

B-5105 was originally delivered in August 2005. In late 2008, it repainted in to the current livery. In October 2017, it was sold to Xiamen Leasing, and leased back. B-5105 continues to fly with Shenzhen.