Hawaii's Airport Control: Who's In Charge?

Hawaii, a US state, has five major airports: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Kahului Airport, Hilo International Airport, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, and Lihue Airport. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, formerly known as the Honolulu International Airport, is owned and operated by the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation. It is one of the world's largest, busiest, and most beautiful airports, covering 4,520 acres of land and water. The airport is served by eight federal government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, and plays host to more than 21 million passengers each year. The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation also operates two Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting stations near the airport runways.

The State of Hawaii owns and operates the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

HNL is the main and largest airport in Hawaii, serving the most populous city in the state, Honolulu. It is the principal hub of Hawaiian Airlines and offers nonstop flights to many places in North America, Asia, and Oceania. The airport is served by international and domestic carriers, inter-island airlines, and commuter airlines, playing host to more than 21 million passengers each year.

The airport works closely with the Airline Committee of Hawaii, the Airport Concessionaires Committee, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other federal agencies, including Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), with which it shares runways and taxiways. The state operates two Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting stations, one near the Reef Runway and the other near Terminal 1. In addition to its four paved runways, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has two designated offshore waterways for seaplanes.

The airport complex includes retail stores, restaurants, bars, a business center, ATMs, a jail, freeway access, traffic lights, a post office, car rental agencies, and other travel-related businesses. Approximately 15,000 people work at the airport daily, and another 20,000 depend on it for their livelihood. The airport is accessible via the Wiki Wiki Shuttle, the airport's free shuttle bus, which provides service between the ticket lobbies and terminals.

The airport is one of the world's largest and busiest, covering 4,520 acres of land and water

Hawaii has multiple airports, but the largest and busiest is the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Formerly known as the Honolulu International Airport, it is located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The airport is owned and operated by the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation. It covers 4,520 acres of land and water, making it larger than the major resort destination of Waikiki, which is located 10 miles to the south.

The airport has four active runways, including the 12,000-foot Reef Runway, the world's first major runway built entirely offshore. It is beautifully landscaped with the trees and flowers native to the Hawaiian Islands. More than 21 million passengers pass through the airport each year, with an estimated 10,000 people in the airport complex at any given daytime or evening hour as passengers, employees, or visitors. Approximately 15,000 people work at the airport every day, and another 20,000 depend on it for their livelihood.

The airport is served by international and domestic carriers, interisland airlines, and commuter airlines. It is also home to eight federal government agencies, including the Customs and Border Protection, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Agriculture, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Fish and Wildlife Service. The airport has its own retail stores, restaurants, bars, a business centre, ATMs, a jail, a freeway, traffic lights, a post office, and car rental agencies.

The airport works closely with the Airline Committee of Hawaii, the Airport Concessionaires Committee, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other federal agencies. It also operates two Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting stations, one adjacent to the Reef Runway and the other near Terminal 1. In addition to managing its own operations, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport also manages Kalaeloa Airport (JRF) and Dillingham Field (HDH).

It is served by international and domestic carriers, inter-island airlines, and commuter airlines

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), formerly known as Honolulu International Airport, is served by international and domestic carriers, inter-island airlines, and commuter airlines. It is one of the world's largest and busiest airports, covering 4,520 acres of land and larger than the Waikiki major resort destination, located 10 miles to the south. The airport is owned and operated by the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation and has four active runways, including the 12,000-foot Reef Runway, the world's first major runway built entirely offshore.

Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii's largest and longest-serving airline, dominating the inter-island market. The airline offers excellent service, punctuality, and aloha, including complimentary drinks and in-flight entertainment on select flights. They operate an average of 170 daily flights, connecting major island destinations like Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Other notable inter-island carriers include Mokulele Airlines, which specializes in scenic flights to smaller airports and remote destinations, and Southwest Airlines, which entered the Hawaiian market in 2019 and quickly became a major player in inter-island travel with its customer-friendly policies and competitive pricing.

In addition to these carriers, Island Air was once a key player in Hawaii's inter-island market until it ceased operations in 2017 due to financial difficulties. Another carrier, Pacific Wings, served inter-island routes until 2014 when it struggled with regulatory issues and competition. Makani Kai Air also operated inter-island flights in Hawaii until it merged with Mokulele Airlines in December 2020.

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is a hub for more than just inter-island travel. It is served by eight federal government agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Transportation Security Administration. The airport also works closely with Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), which shares runways and taxiways with HNL, and manages Kalaeloa Airport (JRF) and Dillingham Field (HDH). Kalaeloa serves as a general aviation reliever airport for HNL and an alternate landing site for military and commercial airlines, while Dillingham Field is a specialized general aviation airport for gliders and parachutists.

The airport works closely with federal agencies and Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH)

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is owned and operated by the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation. It is one of the world's largest, busiest, and most beautiful airports, covering 4,520 acres of land and water. The airport is served by international and domestic carriers, inter-island airlines, and commuter airlines, and hosts more than 21 million passengers each year.

HNL has a unique partnership with Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), a joint-use facility with shared runways and taxiways. This collaboration is essential to the efficient operation of the airport. In addition, the airport works closely with several federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, to ensure smooth and secure travel.

The airport complex houses eight federal government agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Agriculture, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Transportation Security Administration. The presence of these agencies is vital for maintaining security, facilitating smooth travel, and ensuring compliance with import and export regulations.

Furthermore, the State Department of Transportation Airports Division employs a workforce of over 1,200 employees statewide, demonstrating the significant role that the airport plays in Hawaii's transportation infrastructure. The airport also has its own retail stores, restaurants, business centers, and other travel-related businesses, catering to the needs of passengers, employees, and visitors.

The close collaboration between HNL, JBPHH, and federal agencies is crucial for maintaining the airport's smooth operations, security, and compliance with regulations, ensuring a safe and efficient travel experience for all.

The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation employs over 1200 people statewide

The airport is served by international and domestic carriers, inter-island airlines, and commuter airlines, and it hosts more than 21 million passengers each year. In addition to its aviation functions, the airport has a variety of amenities, including retail stores, restaurants, bars, a business centre, and automated teller machines. It also houses eight federal government agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Transportation Security Administration.

The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation's Airports Division manages a workforce of over 1200 employees statewide. They are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the airport, working closely with various organisations, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, the Airline Committee of Hawaii, and the Airport Concessionaires Committee.

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport also manages two other airports: Kalaeloa Airport (JRF) and Dillingham Field (HDH). Kalaeloa Airport, formerly known as Barbers Point Naval Air Station, serves as a reliever airport for HNL, providing an alternate landing site for commercial and military airlines. Dillingham Field, on the other hand, is a specialised general aviation airport primarily catering to gliders and parachutists.

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