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.

Asia Pacific Airlines' N705AA Ferried

Asia Pacific Airlines is ferrying N705AA (c/n 22462, l/n 1751) to MCI [Kansas City, MO] from GUM, via TKK, PNI, HNL, PHX and IGM [Kingman, AZ] for a "C" Check.

On another note, sister ships N319NE (c/n 21349, l/n 1289), and N86425 (c/n 21459, l/n 1329), both 727-212Fs, had their registrations canceled by Asia Pacific Airlines, and being used for parts for 705.

Shandong Airlines' B-1273

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1273 (c/n 43909, l/n 6950) today. This 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1273, and will overnight at HNL.

Sun Country Airlines Launches HNL Service

Today, Sun Country Airlines launched its four-times-weekly service between MSP and HNL, via LAX. The MSP-LAX segment is operated SCX421/430, and the LAX-HNL segment is operated as SCX721/730.

N821SY "Lake Mille Lacs" (c/n 39952, l/n 5217) made the maiden flight from MSP to HNL, via LAX, and will be based at LAX.

Mahalo to Charlie Alfa for the photo of N821SY on final for Runway 8L.

Lion Air's PK-LQO

Lion Air is taking delivery of PK-LQO (c/n 42998, l/n 6911) this afternoon. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as LNI1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto GUM.

Koloa Aviation Upgrades N820MS To G-V

Koloa Aviation has added a second Gulfstream jet. They upgraded N820MS, from the G-IV (msn 1147) to the G-V (msn 626), and has a new livery. Their G-IV has been re-registered as N820MG.

Mokulele Airlines To Relocate To Terminal 3

As part of the HNL's modernization program, Mokulele Airlines is being relocated to Terminal 3, on the Diamond Head end of the airport this week. The new location will begin operations on Tuesday, May 29th. The move comes as the Commuter Terminal will be torn down to make way for the Inter-island Terminal's Mauka Extension construction project.

Located behind the Delta Air Lines Cargo facility, Mokulele will be using Hardstand 1C for their flight operations, where they will four spots for their Grand Caravans.

Hebei Airlines' B-1258

Hebei Airlines is taking delivery of B-1258 (c/n 42978, l/n 6939) today. This 737-8LW is making its delivery flight from BFI as HBH1258, and will overnight at HNL.

N723AC

N723AC (c/n 30034, l/n 1275), a 737-75C, is ferrying from XMN [Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen, China] to GYR [Goodyear, AZ], via GUM and HNL.

30034 was originally delivered to Xiamen Airlines in February 2003 as B-5028, under lease from ILFC. In May 2014, B-5028 was sold to ILFC, and its lease transferred. In 2016, it was painted in the current livery. It was withdrawn from service in April 2018.

China Eastern Airlines' B-1255

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1255 (c/n 61699, l/n 6937) this afternoon. This 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

WestJet Airlines Unveils New Livery

WestJet Airlines unveiled a new livery that will be featured on their ten 787-9 Dreamliners, that will begin deliveries in the first quarter of 2019. New deliveries of their 737 MAX 8 fleet will feature this new livery, beginning in June. The existing fleet will be repainted as they go through their heavy maintenance checks.

Further information and links in this WestJet press release.

China Southern Airlines' B-1239

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1239 (c/n 63260, l/n 6933) this morning. This 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1239, and will overnight at HNL.

N594HA Returns

Hawaiian Airlines has brought back N594HA "‘Ulili" (c/n 23275, l/n 136) from retirement at MZJ as HAL9975. The airline made the move, as deliveries of their A321-271Ns have been delayed due to the modifications to the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G Geared Turbofan engines.

N205HA "Kalo" (msn 8092, f/n 205) is ready for delivery at XFW. Both N208HA (msn 8123, f/n 208) and N209HA (msn 8186, f/n 209) are at XFW, but have yet to make their first flights.

Southwest Airlines Says They Will Fly Inter-Island

On an appearance on Hawai News Now's "Sunrise" morning news show, representatives from Southwest Airlines said that they will launch their west coast to Hawai‘i service with 737-8H4s, then transition to the 737 MAX 8s. The first four west coast cities will be all in California: Oakland, San José, Sacramento, and San Diego. Also, they intend to launch inter-island service once service is established.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-1376

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1376 (c/n 61123, l/n 6932) today. This 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ1376, and will overnight at HNL.

American Airlines Winter Season ORD-HNL Service

American Airlines announced today that the winter season service between ORD and HNL will return on 19 December 2018, though this year, it will be with their 787-8s.

In the past, American used their DC-10-30s (1990s), and their 767-300ERs (2000s, and 2010s).

Further information in this American Airlines press release.

Samaritan's Purse N782SP To Assist Kaua‘i Flood Victims

Samaritan's Purse will be flying in disaster relief supplies for those affected by the torrential rains and flooding in the northern end of Kaua‘i. Their DC-8-72CF, N782SP (c/n 46013, l/n 427) will fly from GSO [Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro, NC] to LIH [Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i] as NSP8. They will bring in relief supplies and personnel to assist with cleanup efforts in Hanalei, and surrounding areas.

Further information in this Samaritan's Purse webpage.

N782SP was here at HNL in December 2017 on a stopover.

Federal Express' N614FE

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 1998. with FedEx's MD-11F, N614FE "Christy Allison" (c/n 48258, l/n 507, f/n 614), seen above on Taxiway RT.

N614FE was delivered to Federal Express in November 1992. It was originally ordered by American Airlines as N1759, but was not taken up. This MD-11F continues to fly with FedEx, with the aircraft's name shortened to "Christy".

SilkAir's 9V-MBE

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MBE (c/n 44242, l/n 6890) today. This 737 MAX 8 is making its delivery flight from BFI as SLK8880, and will overnight at KOA.