Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) will undergo an extensive, multi-year rehabilitation project thanks to $64.7 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The project, which will fully begin in October 2024, is a direct response to the persistent and critical issues that have plagued the airport’s runway for years, causing numerous disruptions and safety concerns.
A problematic story: problems with the runways at Kona Airport.
Kona Airport has been at the center of several runway issues that have significantly impacted air traffic to and from the island. In recent years, the airport has had to close several runways due to severe cracks and other structural issues that posed safety risks. These issues have caused unexpected disruptions that have affected both local residents and visitors.
One of the most notable incidents occurred earlier this year when the runway was abruptly closed due to severe cracking. In the article “Kona Airport Closed Due to Runway Crackin,” we highlighted the runway closure due to deteriorating conditions and the urgent need for a comprehensive solution. This was not an isolated incident; similar problems occurred repeatedly, raising serious concerns about the long-term reliability of the airport’s critical infrastructure.
In “How Kona Airport Runway Fiasco Is Throwing Hawaii Travel into Disarray,” we examined how these runway issues have frustrated travelers and disrupted tourism on the Big Island, with far-reaching implications for Hawaii’s travel industry, which relies heavily on consistent and safe airport operations.
The $200 million repair for Kona and Lihue.
The recurring problems at Kona Airport are part of a broader problem affecting several airports in Hawaii. See “Will $200 million be used to repair the damaged runways at Kona and Lihue Airports in Hawaii?” Significant funding has now been allocated to address these widespread infrastructure deficiencies. The upcoming Kona runway rehabilitation is a critical part of this long-awaited and important effort aimed at resolving the ongoing problems that have led to numerous runway closures and other operational challenges.
The Kona Airport Redevelopment Project: What Travelers Can Expect.
The Kona Airport Runway 17-35 Rehabilitation Project is a comprehensive project to restore and upgrade the runway to bring it up to modern standards and ensure its long-term operational safety. Key aspects of the project include:
Renovation and reconstruction: The project focuses on resurfacing the asphalt concrete (AC) and Portland cement concrete (PCC) road surface of the 3,330-meter-long runway to address structural issues that have caused recurrent cracking.
Taxiway upgrades: The project includes modernizing the geometry of the connecting taxiways to meet current FAA standards, thereby improving safety and operational efficiency.
Infrastructure improvements: In addition to paving, the project will also update runway markings, signage, lighting and navigational aids (NAVAIDS) to bring the airport up to current FAA standards.
Construction phases and flight impacts.
The redevelopment project will be carried out in several phases, starting with preparatory work in October 2024 and beginning the main construction phase in November. Work is expected to last until April 2026, with night closures and reduced runway times required at various stages. And that’s if everything goes according to plan.
To minimize disruption, most of the work will be done at night, but travelers should still expect some disruption to operations, especially during peak construction periods. The project was carefully planned to avoid unnecessary closures during major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, and complies with FAA-imposed moratoriums on runway closures.
An important investment in Hawaii’s airport infrastructure.
The upcoming rehabilitation of Runway 17-35 at Kona Airport is critical to the future of air travel in Hawaii by addressing long-standing issues that have caused disruptions in the past and ensuring the runway continues to be safe, reliable and efficient for years to come.
More detailed information about the project and its schedule can also be found on the official project page here.
