Heavenly historic airliner (5)

I believe the answer is:

comet

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'heavenly historic airliner' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

This is all the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for comet that I've seen before include "Orbiting extraterrestrial body" , "Shooting star" , "Heavenly body with a fiery tail" , "Plane" , "Omen supposedly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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