Honolulu Airport: Your Gateway To Oahu's Paradise

which hawaiian airport is on oahu

The main airport on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, is the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL, ICAO: PHNL, FAA LID: HNL). It is also known as Honolulu International Airport, and is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district. The airport covers 4,220 acres (1,710 ha), which is more than 1% of Oahu's land. It is the largest and busiest airport in Hawaii, serving as the primary hub for both inter-island and international flights.

Characteristics Values
Name Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Former Name Honolulu International Airport
IATA HNL
ICAO PHNL
FAA LID HNL
Location Honolulu, Oahu
Distance from Honolulu's central business district 3 miles (4.8 km)
Area covered 4,220 acres (1,710 ha)
Percentage of Oahu's land More than 1%
Services Nonstop flights to North America, Asia, and Oceania; inter-island flights
Airlines Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, Canadian Pacific Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Aloha Air Cargo, Southwest Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, American Airlines, American Trans Air, Continental, Delta Air Lines, TWA, United, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines International, Canada 3000

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Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL, ICAO: PHNL, FAA LID: HNL), also known as Honolulu International Airport, is the main airport on the island of Oahu. It is the largest airport in Hawaii, covering 4,220 acres (1,710 ha), which is more than 1% of Oahu's land. The airport is located in the Honolulu census-designated place, 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district. It is named after Honolulu native and Medal of Honor recipient Daniel Inouye, who represented Hawaii in the United States Senate from 1963 until his death in 2012. Senator Inouye was the second-longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate prior to his death, with a tenure of more than 49 years.

The airport has four major runways, which it operates in conjunction with the adjacent Hickam Air Force Base. The principal runway, designated 8R/26L, also known as the Reef Runway, was the world's first major runway constructed entirely offshore and was completed in 1977. In addition to the four paved runways, the airport has two designated offshore waterways for seaplanes. The airport has 60 gates across three terminals. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected post-security, but passengers must pass through a USDA agricultural inspection station when travelling with carry-on luggage.

The airport has experienced challenges with outdated infrastructure, limited dining options near gates, and the absence of duty-free stores in the arrivals area. In 2006, a $2.3 billion modernisation program was unveiled for Hawaii's airports, with $1.7 billion budgeted for Honolulu International Airport. The airport has also introduced a wayfinding app to enhance the travel experience.

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Nonstop flights to North America, Asia, Oceania

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL), also known as Honolulu International Airport, is the main airport in Hawaii and is located on Oahu. The airport offers nonstop flights to many places in North America, Asia, and Oceania.

Nonstop flights to North America

In 1950, Northwest Airlines was operating nonstop flights from Seattle to Honolulu, using Boeing 377 Stratocruiser propliners. By 1961, Northwest was flying daily Douglas DC-8 jet service on a round trip routing of New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, OR, and Honolulu. In 1986, Hawaiian Airlines operated nonstop flights from Honolulu to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. By 2003, Aloha Airlines was flying nonstop to Burbank, Oakland, Orange County, and Vancouver, B.C.

Today, several airlines offer nonstop flights to Honolulu from Los Angeles, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Nonstop flights to Honolulu are also available from other mainland cities, such as New York City and Anchorage, Alaska.

Nonstop flights to Asia

There is no explicit mention of nonstop flights to Asia from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. However, it is worth noting that the airport does offer some flights to destinations in Asia, and passengers can connect to other flights from there.

Nonstop flights to Oceania

British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (BCPA) began serving the airport during the mid-1940s with Douglas DC-4 aircraft flying a routing that included Sydney and Auckland. In 1950, Canadian Pacific Air Lines operated a service between western Canada and Australia, with a routing of Vancouver, Honolulu, Canton Island, Fiji, and Sydney.

Today, nonstop flights to Oceania from Honolulu may include destinations such as Sydney and Auckland, and other cities in the region.

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The airport's history

The main airport on the island of Oahu is Honolulu International Airport (HNL), also known as the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It is the largest airport in Hawaii, covering 4,220 acres, which is more than 1% of Oahu's land. The airport is located 3 miles northwest of Honolulu's central business district.

Honolulu International Airport first opened on 21 March 1927 as John Rodgers Airport, named after World War I naval officer John Rodgers. It was funded by the territorial legislature and the Chamber of Commerce and was the first full airport in Hawaii. Prior to its opening, aircraft landing in Hawaii were limited to small landing strips, fields, and seaplane docks. In 1939, the adjacent Keehi Lagoon was dredged for use by seaplanes, and the dredged soil was used to provide more space for conventional planes. In 1943, the U.S. military grounded all civil aircraft and took over all civil airports, including Rodgers Field, which was designated Naval Air Station Honolulu. The Navy built a control tower and terminal building, and some commercial traffic was allowed during daylight hours. Rodgers Field was returned to the Territory of Hawaii in 1946, and in 1947, the airport was renamed Honolulu Airport, with "International" being added to the name in 1951.

During the 1950s, Honolulu Airport experienced a significant increase in traffic due to its use as a stop for many transpacific flights, including those of Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) and Qantas. By 1950, it had become the third-busiest airport in the United States in terms of aircraft operations, and its 13,097-foot runway was the world's longest in 1953. The airport also played a unique role in the Korean War effort, serving as a stopover for thousands of United Nations service members en route to Korea and as an evacuation point for military dependents from Japan.

In the following decades, the airport continued to expand and modernize. A new terminal was opened in 1962, and several large concourse areas were added in subsequent years. In 1966, local air carriers Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines introduced jet service on their inter-island routes. By the 1980s, Hawaiian Airlines was operating nonstop flights to several mainland US cities, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Seattle. In 1999, several US-based air carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, were operating domestic nonstop services from the mainland to Honolulu.

In 2006, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle unveiled a $2.3 billion modernization program for Hawaii airports, with $1.7 billion budgeted for Honolulu International Airport. The airport continues to be a major hub for Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Air Cargo, offering nonstop flights to many destinations in North America, Asia, and Oceania.

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Airlines that operate from the airport

The main airport on the island of Oahu is the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL, ICAO: PHNL, FAA LID: HNL), also known as Honolulu International Airport. It is the largest airport in Hawaii, covering 4,220 acres (1,710 ha), which is more than 1% of Oahu's land. The airport is located in the Honolulu census-designated place, 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district. It has four major runways and offers nonstop flights to North America, Asia, and Oceania.

The airport serves as the main hub for Hawaiian Airlines, which operates an extensive inter-island service with frequent flights between the major airports on the islands, including Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, Kona, and Hilo. In 1966, Hawaiian Airlines introduced jet service on its inter-island routes in Hawaii, flying Douglas DC-9-10 jets. By 2012, Hawaiian Airlines had established Honolulu International Airport as a connecting hub between the US mainland and the Asia-Pacific region.

Southwest Airlines, a relatively new entrant to the Hawaiian market, also offers inter-island flights connecting major destinations within the Hawaiian Islands.

Mokulele Airlines operates smaller aircraft and provides service to many of the smaller airports in Hawaii, including destinations like Molokai and Lanai.

Other airlines that have operated from the airport include British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (BCPA), Northwest Airlines, Canadian Pacific Air Lines (later CP Air), Aloha Airlines, Braniff International, American Airlines, American Trans Air, Continental, Delta Air Lines, TWA, and United.

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The airport's future plans

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL), also known as Honolulu International Airport, is the main airport on the island of Oahu. It is the largest and busiest airport in Hawaii, covering 4,220 acres, which is more than 1% of Oahu's land.

The airport has faced criticism for its lack of improvements over the years, with observers noting issues such as mismanagement, poor design, and a lack of traveller-first planning. In response, the state has promoted plans for a revitalized HNL, which includes cultural upgrades, expanded lounges, and terminal renovations.

One key aspect of the airport's future plans is the development of the Mauka Concourse, a new terminal that opened in 2021. The $300+ million project has been criticized for its underutilization and lack of dining and shopping options. However, Alaska Airlines is expected to consolidate its operations there, increasing foot traffic and bringing life to the space.

The Hawai'i Airports Modernization Program, initiated by Governor Green, aims to enhance the traveller experience, improve efficiency and safety, create jobs, and stimulate the state's economy. The goal is to transform Hawaii's airports into world-class facilities over the next decade.

Upgrades and modernization efforts at the airport seek to address issues such as long walking distances to the boarding gates and baggage claim areas. There is also a focus on improving the overall design, form, function, and amenities to meet new standards of accessibility, comfort, and security.

While specific future plans for the airport are not publicly available, the ongoing modernization program and investments indicate a commitment to enhancing the airport's infrastructure and improving the overall traveller experience.

Frequently asked questions

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL), also known as Honolulu International Airport, is located on Oahu.

The airport code for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is HNL.

Some other airports in Hawaii include Kahului Airport, Kapalua Airport, Hana Airport, Kona International Airport, Hilo International Airport, Lihue Airport, and Waimea-Kohala Airport.

Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines offer inter-island flights in Hawaii.

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