Kona, Hawaii: A Hub Of Airports And Travel

Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the main airport on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island. It is named after Ellison Onizuka or Allison Onizuka, an astronaut who died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. The airport covers 3,450 to 4,204 acres of land and is located about seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona. It offers flights to major cities such as Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tokyo.

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole

KOA occupies 3,450 acres of land at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level. It features a unique open-air terminal that reflects the island's natural beauty and casual atmosphere. The airport has an 11,000-foot runway and a complex of facilities along the eastern edge, accommodating various aviation activities, including domestic overseas, international, interisland, commuter/air taxi, and general aviation.

In the year ending November 30, 2021, the airport recorded 87,770 aircraft operations, averaging 240 per day. The breakdown of these operations included 51% general aviation, 30% scheduled commercial, 12% air taxi, and 7% military. As of March 2022, there were 56 aircraft based at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, including 26 single-engine planes, 8 multi-engine planes, 18 helicopters, and 4 ultralights.

The airport is named after Ellison Onizuka, an American astronaut of Japanese descent who was born and raised in Hawaii. Onizuka tragically lost his life in the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986. The airport's name honours his legacy and contributions to space exploration.

Aircraft operations

Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the main airport in Kona, Hawaii. It is located on the west coast of the island and serves as the main gateway to the Big Island, connecting it to destinations around the world. The airport is served by a variety of domestic and international carriers, including Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Japan Airlines, among others. These airlines offer direct flights to major cities such as Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tokyo, providing essential connections for both business and leisure travellers.

In terms of aircraft operations, Kona International Airport is a busy hub. In the year ending November 30, 2021, the airport recorded 87,770 aircraft operations, averaging 240 per day. This included a mix of general aviation (51%), scheduled commercial (30%), air taxi (12%), and military (7%) flights. As of March 2022, there were 56 aircraft based at the airport, including 26 single-engine planes, 8 multi-engine planes, 18 helicopters, and 4 ultralights.

The airport's facilities support these aircraft operations. It occupies a substantial area of 3,450 to 4,204 acres of land, situated about seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona. The airport features a unique open-air terminal that reflects the island's natural beauty and casual atmosphere. Additionally, the state government of Hawaiʻi operates a runway and a terminal complex of single-story buildings along the eastern edge of the airfield. This complex caters to passengers, air cargo, mail, airport support, and general aviation needs.

Kona International Airport's runway is an essential component of its aircraft operations. The runway is designated as 17/35 and measures 7,000 feet by 150 feet (or 11,000 feet, according to another source). It is constructed with asphalt and is equipped to handle a range of aircraft, including single-engine and multi-engine planes, helicopters, and ultralights.

Runway

Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the main airport in Kona, Hawaii. It is located on the west coast of the island and serves as the main gateway to the Big Island, connecting it to the rest of the world. The airport has one runway, which is 11,000 feet long and made of asphalt. The runway is designated 17/35 and has dimensions of 7,000 by 150 feet (2,134 x 46 m).

In addition to the main runway, Kona International Airport also has a complex of facilities located along the eastern edge of the airfield. These facilities include a terminal for passengers, as well as areas for air cargo, mail, and airport support. The terminal at Kona International Airport is unique in that it is open-air, reflecting the island's natural beauty and casual atmosphere.

The airport accommodates a variety of aviation activities, including domestic, international, interisland, commuter/air taxi, and general aviation. In the year ending November 30, 2021, the airport handled 87,770 aircraft operations, with an average of 240 flights per day. As of March 2022, there were 56 aircraft based at Kona International Airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, helicopters, and ultralights.

Kona International Airport is served by several domestic and international carriers, offering direct flights to major cities such as Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tokyo. These carriers include Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Japan Airlines, among others. The airport covers an area of 3,450 acres of land, situated about seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona.

Aircraft based at the airport

Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the main airport in Kona, Hawaii. It is located on the west coast of the island and serves as the main gateway to the Big Island, connecting it to destinations around the world. The airport is served by a variety of domestic and international carriers, including Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Japan Airlines, among others.

In March 2022, there were 56 aircraft based at the airport. These included 26 single-engine planes, 8 multi-engine planes, 18 helicopters, and 4 ultralights. The airport accommodates a range of aviation activities, including domestic overseas, international, interisland, commuter/air taxi, general aviation, and military operations.

The airport covers a large area, with varying reports of 3,450 acres and 4,204 acres, and is situated at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level. It features a unique open-air terminal that reflects the island's natural beauty and casual atmosphere. The terminal complex consists of single-story buildings located along the eastern edge of the airfield, providing facilities for passengers, air cargo, mail, airport support, and general aviation.

Kona International Airport is one of two airports on the Big Island that accommodate major air traffic, with the other being Hilo International Airport.

Terminal complex

Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the only airport in Kona, Hawaii. The airport covers 3,450 acres of land, seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona, at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level. The terminal complex of single-story buildings is located along the eastern edge of the airfield. The airport has an 11,000-foot runway and a unique open-air terminal that reflects the island's natural beauty and casual atmosphere. The terminal complex accommodates domestic overseas, international, interisland, commuter/air taxi, and general aviation activities.

Frequently asked questions