Hawaiian island hopper Mokulele Airlines has secured government approval to operate one of the more unique long-haul routes in recent memory.
HNL-RFD = 4181 miles. RFD-STN = 4001 miles. 20 hours on a 767 = Priceless. (Map by gcmap.com)
A Boeing 767 chartered from Air Transport International (ATI) will carry Mokulele customers from the Hawaiian capitol of Honolulu to the Chicago suburb of Rockford, Ill., and then across the Atlantic to London Stansted.
When Mokulele first announced the route a few weeks ago, the idea was largely met with skepticism by industry followers. But the Honolulu-based airline — whose fleet is made up of exactly four 9-seat Cessna Grand Caravans — forged ahead with the encouragement of Illinois officials eager to see more any international service in Rockford.
Weekly service is set to begin on April 13, to Rockford only, followed a couple of weeks later by the launch of full London service on May 4. Return flights from Rockford and London will operate two days after arrival.
The service will be operated by ATI’s only passenger 767-200ER, registered N712AX. Previously owned by SkyKing, some New York-area planespotters may recognize it from its days at Scanderbeg Air, a short-lived, single-wet-leased-plane operation connecting JFK to Albania and Kosovo.
