KOA To Be The Next International Hub

In Hawai‘i Governor David Ige's State of the State address, he noted that he intends to designate KOA as the next major international destination airport in the state, through Capital Improvement Program funding. KOA's current international flight is by Westjet Airlines from YVR.

Japan Airlines conducted non-stop in-bound flights from NRT to KOA between 1996 and October 2010 with 747s and DC-10s, with return flight stopping over at HNL. In recent years, Hawaiian Airlines has made several applications for non-stop flights between KOA and HND in response to disputes with gate slots by other American carriers; to date however all of these applications have been denied and awarded to competitor airlines.

Governor Ige said he will also seek funding to modernize the passport control system for HNL, as well as general modernization for Hawai‘i airports.

China Southern's B-2838

In a sales agreement between Boeing and China Southern Airlines, three 737-300s, and the 13 remaining 757-200s owned by China Southern will be bought back by Boeing. The buy-back of older airframes comes along with the news that China Southern has purchased 30 more 737-700/800s and 50 737 MAXs.

B-2838 (c/n 27260, l/n 613) arrived this afternoon from Macau [MFM] to VCV, via GUM and HNL, as CSN2005. The 21-year-old 757-2Z0 was delivered to China Southern Airlines back in May 2nd, 1994.

N599GL

N599GL (c/n 27384, l/n 2673), a former Malaysia Airlines 737-4H6, is ferrying from BKI [Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia] to the mainland. It's owned by Onix Trade Corp (Miami, FL), and is making a stop from MAJ.

27384 was delivered to Malaysia Airlines in December 1994 as 9M-MQK. In April 1998, it was leased to Shaheen Air for seven months. It was acquired by Onix Trade Corp in October 2015.

01.28.16 Update
N599GL is scheduled to depart for PHX today.

Xiamen's B-7177

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-7177 (c/n 41394, l/n 5736) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA7177, and will overnight at HNL.

Japan TransOcean Air's JA01RK

Japan TransOcean Air is taking delivery of its first 737-8Q3 today. JA01RK (c/n 61475, l/n 5722) is making its delivery flight from BFI as JTA9851, and will overnight at HNL.

Atlas Air To Acquire Southern Air

AirCargoNews.net is reporting that Atlas Air's parent company, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings will acquire rival Southern Air Holdings.

Hawaiian and jetBlue Expand Codeshare

Hawaiian Airlines announced that they, and jetBlue Airlines are expanding their codeshare agreement, that will result in further routes that Hawaiian will have the JBU flight code associated with Neighbor Island service, as HAL flight codes on jetBlue's mainland network, where the two airlines have the same destination.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Ex-Qantas N207CR

A 767-338ER formerly belonging to Qantas Airways flew its way out of the desert in Victorville, California today. It's making its way to QPG for freighter conversion.

N207CR (c/n 29118, l/n 713) was delivered to Qantas on August 4th, 1998 as VH-OGU, and named "Byron Bay". It flew with Qantas until the entire fleet of their 767s was retired in favor of A330s in December 2014. "Byron Bay" will join China-based cargo carrier SF Airlines, along with 4 other ex-Qantas sister-ships (VH-OGP, VH-OGQ, VH-OGR, VH-OGT) as converted freighters.

China Eastern's B-7375

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-7375 (c/n 41482, l/n 5720) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

12 Marines From MCAF Kāne‘ohe Bay Missing

12 Marines aboard two Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallions are missing after the two helicopters collided off of Hale‘iwa last night. The Marines and the helicopters are from the 463rd Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH-463) / 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW) at MCAF Kāne‘ohe Bay. Debris has been spotted a few miles offshore, and many agencies are participating in the search. The thoughts and prayers of the entire HNL RareBirds team goes out to all those involved in this incident.

Continuing coverage from Hawaii News Now.

WestJet Starts Own 767 Operations to Hawai‘i

WestJet Airlines started their seasonal 767-338ER operations to Hawaii‘ this past Sunday from Canada. C-FOGJ  (c/n 25274, l/n 396) is one of four ex-Qantas 767-388ERs that WestJet acquired to add capacity for it's Hawai‘i network. They also plan to expand to Europe and Jamaica later this year with their 767s.

Omni Air International 767-200s were wet-leased in the beginning of this winter season until Westjet's own 767-338ERs completed ETOPS certifications.

Hawaiian Air Reveals Maui Expansion

USA Today reports the Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley revealed to the Maui Chamber of Commerce that the airline intends to expand operations at OGG in the near future, as it will begin receiving A321neos in 2017. With 16 of the new engine version of the A321, Dunkerley said that Hawaiian will expand more mainland flights from OGG, and other Neighbor Island airports to the US west coast, along with routes from HNL to smaller markets.

On another note, Hawaiian will return to JHM with their ‘Ohana by Hawaiian subsidiary, once the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation installs Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights on JHM's Runway 2/20, and certified by the FAA. No launch date was given.

Lion Air's PK-LPO

Lion Air's PK-LPO (c/n 39876, l/n 5726) is the first 737NG delivery flight to stop through HNL for 2016. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make a brief fuel stop before continuing onto PNI.

JA8943

Japan Airlines is ferrying JA8943 (c/n 28395, l/n 196) from HND to SBD, with a stop at HNL, for storage (and eventual parting out and scrapping). The 777-346 has been painted all-white.

JA8943 was originally delivered to JAL in February 1999 in the Landor livery. It was painted in the "Arc of the Sun" livery in 2005, and the current livery in 2012.

PacifiCap To Acquire Island Air

The Honolulu Star*Advertiser is reporting that two PacifiCap affiliates will be purchasing a controlling share of Island Air from Larry Ellison, a week after the sale was announced. Included in the article, is a plan to add a sixth ATR72.

Delta To Switch SEA Flights To 737-932ERs

World Airline News and Airline Route are reporting that Delta Air Lines will switch aircraft types for their SEA-HNL (DAL2210), and SEA-KOA (DAL1287 / 1350) flights in April. The airline will go from their 757-200s to their 737-932ERs. No word was given if the current 757-200 service between SEA and OGG (DAL1397 / 1768) will be affected.

2-TBXH

2-TBXH (msn 540), an A320-232, formerly with Sichuan Airlines [3U/CSC] (China), is making its ferry flight from CAN to GYR (via GUM and HNL), as it's being returned to its lessor. It's scheduled to make a brief fuel stop at HNL.

540 was originally purchased by ILFC, and leased to Sichuan Airlines in December 1995 as B-2340. From July 2008 to June 2010, it was sub-leased to United Eagle Airlines [EU/UEA] (China), wearing a hybrid livery. In May 2014, ILFC sold this A320 to AerCap, and the lease with Sichuan continued until this past month, where B-2340 was withdrawn from service to be returned to AerCap.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPA

Virgin Australia is ferrying VH-ZPA "Apollo Beach" (msn 19000148) from BNE to BNA (via APW, HNL, and VNY) for maintenance. The E190 is making the flight as VOZ9901, and will overnight at HNL.

Delta's N722DA

Our January 2016 edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to January 2005, with this former Delta Air Lines L-1011-385-1 TriStar 1, N722DA (msn 193C-1147), that made a stop at HNL on its way to BKK to join the Thai Sky Airlines fleet as HS-AXA.

N722DA was delivered to Delta in November 1977 from the Lockheed plant in Palmdale, CA, and served with the airline until October 1998, where it was placed into storage at VCV. It was sold to Jet Midwest in April 2004, then J&J Holdings (Hong Kong) seven months later. It made a ferry flight from VCV to CAN (via OAK and HNL) for an overhaul. It joined the Thai Sky Airlines in February 2005, but was withdrawn from use in April 2006, and was stripped for spare parts. It's assumed that this TriStar has been scrapped.

Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!

The HNL RareBirds team wishes you all a Happy New Year! May you all have a blessed and prosperous 2016!

This year is also our website's 10th Anniversary! We will be unveiling a commemorative logo in the immediate future.