In the wake of the March 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, carrier cut flights to the island nation like crazy. According to the International Air Transport Association, “Airlines in the region are still adjusting to major challenges.”
Seems some carriers see a legitimate silver lining in these gloomy skies. Hawaiian Airlines says it intends to add nonstop Honolulu to Fukuoka flights come April 2012, pending approval from the Japanese government. If Hawaiian gets the go-ahead it will mark the airline’s third Japanese destination. It already offers nonstop Honolulu flights to Osaka and Honolulu flights to Tokyo Haneda International Airport.
Hawaiian says its flights would depart daily beginning April 16, 2012. Honolulu flights to Fukuoka would depart at 1:20pm and arrive Fukuoka at 6:40pm the following day. Return Fukuoka flights to Honolulu would push back from the gate at 9pm and get to Honolulu International at 10am the same calendar day.
Right now, OAG indicates there are not only no nonstop Honolulu flights to Fukuoka, but no nonstop flights to the Japanese city from any airport in the United States.
While Hawaiian Airlines is counting on inbound Japanese tourists to make this route work, don’t discount the allure of this lesser-known Japanese city to US visitors. Suffused with sea air, squeaky clean, and full of green space Fukuoka is a major arts center. Visit the Fukuoka Art Museum in Ohori Park and revel in the works of Salvador Dali, Roy Lichtenstein and Mark Rothko. Something less contemporary? The Fukuoka Art Museum is a must-see.
So, would you step off the beaten Asian tourist path a bit and venture to places such as Fukuoka if the price was right? Let us know.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Soumei Baba)
