SA Jan 16, 2024:Third crack appears on Kona Airport runway

RUNWAY AT KOA WILL REOPEN TUESDAY, JAN. 16  

KONA – The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is updating on the overnight closure of the runway at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA).

Air operations were suspended at approximately 4:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, to address cracks on the runway. As of 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, the repair of a 10’ X 20’ section was nearing completion.

Operations will resume for scheduled passenger flights at 6 a.m.

Passengers with flights scheduled to arrive or depart from KOA Jan. 15 & 16 are encouraged to check with their airline.

During the repairs, another section was identified to be addressed. Those repairs will be done between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and will not impact commercial flights.

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RUNWAY AT KOA CLOSED; EXPECTED TO REOPEN TUESDAY, JAN. 16

News Release from HDoT, Jan 15, 2024

KONA – The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is updating on the closure of the runway at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA).

Air operations were suspended at approximately 4:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, to address cracks on the runway.

As of 8 p.m., HDOT staff and consultants report that the runway will remain closed through Monday night as it is not possible to operate around the damaged section of runway.

Currently, HDOT is also working with contractors to mill and resurface a 10’ X 10’ area. Expected completion of the resurfacing, which will allow the runway to reopen, is prior to first light Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Passengers with flights scheduled to arrive or depart from KOA Jan. 15 & 16 are advised to check with their airline before heading to the airport.

The next update will be provided when air operations are cleared to resume at KOA. 

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Advisory for KOA

KOA travel advisory – update 1/15/24, 5:40 p.m.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) shut down operations at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole at 4:20 p.m. today to assess cracks on the runway and keep air travelers safe.

HDOT is measuring the usable runway length and will provide the information to airline operators to determine how to reopen the runway while restricting planes from the damaged areas. HDOT is also working with contractors to mill and resurface the affected area.

The HDOT has a project that will reconstruct the entire 11,000-foot runway this year. Cracks had developed and the runway pavement degradation had accelerated due to the recent rains.

Passengers are advised to check with their airline before heading to the airport.

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

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SA: Kona airport to reopen today after cracks fixed on runway | Honolulu Star-Advertiser (staradvertiser.com)

HNN: Flight delays mount after runway cracks force indefinite closure of Kona’s airport

KITV: Kona International Airport closed indefinitely due to cracks on runway