Roberta Aguirre
Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi. It is located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States, and serves the western side of the island, including resorts in North Kona and South Kohala. The airport is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility and is included in the Federal Aviation Administration's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021-2025. In 2018, when Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted with ash, Kona International Airport was not affected. The airport is located north of the volcano, and flights in and out of the airport continued as usual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Impact of Kilauea Volcano eruption on Kona Airport | No impact on the airport or nearby Hilton Waikoloa Village |
| Kona Airport's location | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States |
| Year of construction | 1970 |
| Area covered | 4,204 acres (1,701 ha) |
| Elevation | 47 feet (14 m) above mean sea level |
| Runway count | 1 |
| Runway material | Asphalt |
| Runway designation | 17/35 |
| Runway dimensions | 7,000 by 150 feet (2,134 x 46 m) |
| Runway length | 11,000 feet (3,400 m) |
| Aircraft operations (year ending November 30, 2021) | 87,770 (average of 240 per day) |
| Aircraft based at the airport (as of March 2022) | 56 (26 single-engine, 8 multi-engine, 18 helicopters, and 4 ultralights) |
| Passenger boarding method | Mobile stairs or ramps |
| Airports with jet bridges | Hilo International Airport |
| Airlines serving the airport | United Airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL), Hawaiian Airlines |
| Destinations served | Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, Vancouver, Honolulu |
| Attractions nearby | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Kona International Airport is unaffected by the Kilauea volcano eruption
Kona International Airport, officially known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, is located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States. It is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi, serving the leeward (western) side of the island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala. The airport is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Despite the eruption of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, Kona International Airport was unaffected by the volcanic activity. The airport is located approximately 100 miles from the volcano, and flights in and out of the airport were not impacted. This is due to the airport's location on the opposite coast, farther north on the island, which is away from the active volcano.
The Kilauea volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is situated in the southern region of the Hawaiian archipelago. The eruption resulted in a significant ash cloud, leading to airlines being placed on red alert. However, the impact was not as far-reaching as some other volcanic eruptions, such as the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland, which led to airspace closures and grounded flights across Iceland, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
During the Kilauea eruption, Hawaiian Airlines continued its scheduled routes as usual, and both of the Big Island's airports in Kona and Hilo remained operational. The Hilton Waikoloa Village, located 100 miles from the volcano, also confirmed that they were unaffected by the volcanic activity, and the resort remained open with nearly full occupancy.
In summary, the 2018 eruption of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii did not impact Kona International Airport. The airport's operations continued as normal, and it remained a safe travel gateway for passengers visiting the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Uber in Paris Airport: Availability and Accessibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport is 100 miles away from the volcano
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is approximately 100 miles away from the Kilauea volcano. This distance puts the airport far enough from the volcano's activity to remain unaffected by its eruptions.
The airport is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi, serving the leeward (western) side of the island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala. It is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The airport covers 4,204 acres of land and is situated 47 feet above mean sea level. It has a single asphalt runway, accommodating large aircraft like the Airbus A321 and A330, as well as Boeing models 717, 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787.
The airport's location on the island's western side, away from the volcano, ensures its operations remain uninterrupted by volcanic activity. This is in contrast to the eastern side of the island, which is home to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and has experienced road closures and lava flow disruptions due to volcanic eruptions.
The Kilauea volcano, one of the world's most active, is located on the southern tip of the Hawaiian archipelago. Its eruptions can cause significant ash clouds, but its impact has not been as far-reaching as some other volcanoes, such as Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull, which grounded flights across Europe in 2010.
Airports' Strict Carry-On Luggage Rules and Measurement Policies
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport is built on a lava flow from the Hualālai volcano
Kona International Airport, officially known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawai'i. It is located in Kailua-Kona, on the western side of the island, and serves leeward Hawai'i Island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala.
The Kona region is known for its lava fields, which create a desolate and impenetrable landscape. The Ironman World Championship, held annually in the region since 1981, is known for its challenging course that takes athletes through these lava fields. The psychological impact of racing alongside the sharp, black rocks is said to be daunting, as the scenery barely changes, and the ocean appears miles away across the jagged terrain.
Despite being built on a lava flow, the Kona International Airport has not been significantly affected by volcanic activity in recent years. In 2018, when the Kilauea volcano on a different part of the island erupted, the airport remained operational and unaffected, as it was far from the active volcano. Resorts and hotels in the area, including those in Kona, also remained open and unaffected by the volcanic activity.
Alternative Airport Requirements: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi. It is located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States. The airport serves the leeward (western) side of Hawaiʻi island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala. It is one of two international airports serving Hawaiʻi Island, the other being Hilo International Airport on the windward (eastern) side.
The airport covers 4,204 acres (1,701 ha) at an elevation of 47 feet (14 m) above sea level. It has one asphalt runway, 17/35, 7,000 by 150 feet (2,134 x 46 m). In the year ending November 30, 2021, the airport had 87,770 aircraft operations, an average of 240 per day. In March 2022, there were 56 aircraft based at this airport. The airport is included in the Federal Aviation Administration's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025, in which it is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility.
The airport is the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps instead of jet bridges. Despite the less modern facilities, Kona is used by large airliners, including the Airbus A321 and A330, along with the Boeing 717, 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787. The airport's runway was extended to 11,000 feet (3,400 m) in 1994, the second-longest in the Hawaiian Islands after Honolulu. The longer runways enabled much larger aircraft to use the airport, allowing nonstop flights between Kona and Tokyo or destinations in the United States beyond the West Coast hubs.
The airport is located about 100 miles from the Kilauea volcano, and its operations do not seem to be affected by volcanic activity. In 2018, when the Kilauea volcano erupted, flights in and out of the airport were not impacted. The airport is farther north on the island and on the opposite coast, far from the active volcano.
Navigating the Airport: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
You may want to see also
The airport is located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi. It is one of two international airports serving the island, the other being Hilo International Airport. The airport serves leeward (western) Hawaiʻi island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala.
The airport covers 4,204 acres (1,701 ha) at an elevation of 47 feet (14 m) above sea level. It has one asphalt runway, 17/35, 7,000 by 150 feet (2,134 x 46 m). In the year ending November 30, 2021, the airport had 87,770 aircraft operations, an average of 240 per day. In March 2022, there were 56 aircraft based at the airport.
The airport is located on the western side of the island, with the eastern side being home to the town of Hilo. The construction of the airport in 1970 contributed to a shift in tourism from East to West Hawaii. The airport's runway was extended in 1994 to 11,000 feet (3,400 m), enabling larger aircraft to use the airport and allowing for nonstop flights to the United States mainland and international destinations.
Despite being located on an island with volcanic activity, the Kona International Airport has not been significantly affected by volcanic eruptions. In 2018, when the Kilauea Volcano erupted, the airport remained operational and was unaffected by the volcano's activity.
Nigeria's Aviation Industry: Airports and Beyond
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Kona International Airport at Keāhole is located 100 miles from the Kilauea volcano, and is therefore unaffected by its activity. The airport is open and fully operational.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located around 103 miles from Kona Airport, and can be reached by bus in just under 4 hours.
United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Alaska Airlines all fly to Kona Airport.
