Hawaii's Kona International Airport to Reopen Following Repairs to Damaged Runway

Hawaii's Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is expected to reopen to passenger traffic on Tuesday after it was temporarily closed due to safety concerns stemming from cracks on the runway on Monday.

The closure prompted several flight cancellations to begin the week. Hawaiian Airlines canceled at least five interisland flights to Kona in addition to a flight from Los Angeles.

"This evening, the Department of Transportation announced the closure of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) due to damage to the runway. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority team has been monitoring the situation and will continue to do so through the night," HTA said in a statement issued Monday night.

"We are working and coordinating internally with our partners at the Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau, the Visitors Bureaus on each island, and Kilohana. We are also in contact with the Department of Transportation and the airlines that service KOA, as well as West Hawaiʻi hotels (Kailua Kona and the Kohala Coast)," tourism officials added.

"HTA has already authorized funding to address any passenger comfort needs at Kona airport. Our partners at the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaiʻi on each island are standing by to assist further if needed."

According to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.com, at least seven Tuesday departures from KOA have been canceled as of 4 a.m. local time. Another three Tuesday departures have been delayed.

Please head to the thread below from Hawaii DOT for the latest update on the Runway closure. Mahalo. https://t.co/mFl6UT3qfi

— Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (@KOA_Airport) January 16, 2024

Officials are encouraging passengers to contact their airline for the latest information regarding their flights.

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