Kahului Airport: Domestic Status, Global Aspirations

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Kahului Airport (OGG) is located in the city of Kahului, Hawaii, and serves the island of Maui. While it is often referred to as an international airport, it does not currently meet all the requirements to be designated as one officially. The airport is undergoing expansion and upgrades to elevate it to international standards, with a goal of eventually establishing permanent international flight routes to destinations like Canada and Japan. The expansion project, outlined in the 20-year Master Plan, includes the construction of new access roads, refurbishment of runways to accommodate larger aircraft, and the addition of aircraft parking positions. These enhancements aim to transform Kahului Airport into a world-class gateway, offering a seamless travel experience and embodying the Aloha spirit for visitors to Maui and the surrounding areas.

Characteristics Values
Current status Not an international airport
Main aim of the project Elevate Kahului Airport to an international airport standard
Master Plan 20-year development planning
Expected completion 2035
Current facilities Two passenger terminals and an exclusive helicopter terminal
Current gates Gates 3, 25, 31, and 37 rarely used due to size of wide-body aircraft
Current runway 7,000 ft x 150 ft with a centerline separation of 2,500 ft
Future runway Parallel runway to enable simultaneous operations and serve as a backup to Runway 2
Accessibility Well-equipped for travelers with disabilities, including elevators, designated parking spaces, and communication facilities
Location Northern edge of the land bridge between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountain Range, 5 kilometers from downtown Kahului
Current flights Commuter flights, air taxis, general aviation activities, and helicopter tours
Airlines American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin America, Hawaiian Airlines, Air Canada, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines
Daily travelers 7,000

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The airport is undergoing expansion to become an international airport

Kahului Airport is the main airport serving the Island of Maui, Hawaii. It is also called Maui International Airport (OGG). The airport has been undergoing expansion since the 1980s, with the addition of a commuter terminal and a new main terminal constructed between 1985 and 1990. The growing demand for transpacific flights has necessitated multiple terminal expansions to accommodate larger aircraft.

In 1998, the Hawaiian State Legislature appropriated $180 million for the expansion of the airport, which included strengthening the existing runway, building a 2,800-foot runway extension, constructing a new airport access road, and improving the airport terminal. This plan was amended in 2001.

The airport is currently undergoing a further expansion authorized by the Hawaii State Legislature, with the goal of attaining permanent international airport status. This includes the construction of new facilities, lengthening of runways, increasing fuel storage capacities, and building new access roads. The Master Plan has a 20-year development planning and is expected to be fully completed by 2035.

The expansion will allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and increase its capacity. The preferred runway alternative will reconstruct and extend Runway 2-20 from 7,000 ft to 8,530 ft. A temporary runway parallel to Runway 2-20 will be constructed to allow the airport to remain operational during the reconstruction. The expansion will also include the refurbishment of existing runways and the construction of new aircraft parking positions.

The airport is located on the northern edge of the land bridge between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountain Range, occupying 1,391 acres of land. It is about three miles east of the town of Kahului and five kilometres from downtown.

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It currently serves domestic flights from the US mainland

Kahului Airport, also known as Maui International Airport (OGG), is the main airport serving the Island of Maui, Hawaii. It is located in the east of Kahului, 5 kilometres from downtown, and is the second busiest airport in the state of Hawaii.

The airport currently serves domestic flights from the US mainland, with non-stop flights to various destinations, including Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Kailua, Lihue, Portland, Dallas, San Jose, and Oakland. These flights are operated by major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin America, and Hawaiian Airlines. The airport has two passenger terminals and an exclusive helicopter terminal.

Kahului Airport has a unique semi-outdoor structure, allowing travellers to experience Maui's natural beauty upon arrival. It offers a range of amenities, including shops, food outlets, and accessible facilities for travellers with disabilities. The airport is well-equipped to accommodate wide-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777, commonly used on transoceanic flights.

While the airport currently serves domestic flights, there are plans and ongoing expansions to elevate Kahului Airport to the status of a permanent international airport. The Master Plan, with a 20-year development timeline, aims to expand and enhance the airport's facilities to accommodate larger aircraft and international routes. By 2035, Kahului Airport is expected to be fully prepared to operate as an international airport, with potential service routes from Canada and Japan.

Kahului Airport plays a crucial role in Maui's tourism, commerce, and leisure industries. With its beautiful beaches, exciting water sports, and cultural attractions, Maui draws visitors from around the world. The airport's expansion will further enhance Maui's accessibility, solidifying its position as a prominent tourist destination.

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The airport cannot accommodate large, wide-body aircraft

Kahului Airport (OGG) is the main airport serving the Island of Maui, Hawaii, and is the second busiest airport in the state. The airport sprawls across 1,391 acres of land near the isthmus between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. It is located 2.5 miles from the heart of Kahului town and 5 kilometres from downtown.

Kahului Airport cannot accommodate large, wide-body aircraft. The smaller aircraft used on inter-island flights fit at all gates, but the larger overseas airliners cannot. The airport's gates are too small for wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A330, Boeing 767, and Boeing 777. As a result, gates 3, 25, 31, and 37 are rarely used.

To become a permanent international airport, Kahului Airport must undergo significant expansion to accommodate larger aircraft. The airport is already undergoing expansion authorised by the Hawaii State Legislature, with a goal of eventually becoming an international airport. The expansion includes the construction of new access roads and the refurbishment of existing runways to host larger aircraft.

The airport's master plan has a 20-year development timeline and is expected to be fully completed by 2035. The expansion will elevate Kahului Airport to international standards, allowing it to serve international routes from Canada and Japan. Currently, flights from Canada use United States border preclearance facilities in Vancouver, Calgary, or Edmonton.

In summary, the inability of Kahului Airport to accommodate large, wide-body aircraft is a significant factor in its current status as a non-international airport. However, ongoing and planned expansion projects aim to address this limitation and ultimately establish the airport as a permanent international gateway.

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It is the second busiest airport in Hawaii

Kahului Airport is the second busiest airport in Hawaii, after Honolulu Airport. It is located on the northern edge of the land bridge between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountain Range, 5 kilometres from downtown Kahului. The airport is also known as Maui International Airport (OGG) and is the main airport serving the Island of Maui.

Kahului Airport has two intersecting runways and full air carrier facilities for domestic overseas and inter-island commercial services. The airport provides commuter/air taxi and general aviation operations, including helicopter operations in separate locations. Vehicular access to the passenger terminal, commuter/air taxi, cargo, scenic tour operators, and general aviation facilities is via a roadway network that connects to the Haleakala and/or Hana Highways.

The airport is currently undergoing expansion, with a goal to eventually become a permanent international airport with service routes from Canada and Japan. To achieve this, many facilities will need to be expanded, and some will need to be constructed from scratch, such as new access roads and the refurbishment of runways to accommodate larger aircraft. The master plan for this development has a 20-year planning period and is expected to be fully completed by 2035.

Kahului is the main touristic, commercial, and leisure hub of Maui Island. Maui is famous for its large malls, shopping centres, and services for tourists, where visitors can experience a colourful and vivid vision of Hawaiian culture and cuisine. The island also boasts pristine beaches, exciting water sports, and the old whaling town of Lahaina.

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The Master Plan for its development has a 20-year timeline

The Master Plan for the development of Kahului Airport into an international airport has a 20-year timeline, with an expected completion date of 2035. The plan involves significant expansion and upgrades to the airport's facilities to accommodate larger aircraft and increase its capacity.

As part of the Master Plan, Runway 2 will be lengthened to the south, extending it from 7,000 ft to 8,530 ft (2,600 m). This will allow for nonstop service from Kahului to Chicago, Dallas, and Denver using Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The lengthened runway will also enable operations with long-distance aircraft carrying a full load of fuel at maximum take-off weight. Additionally, a temporary parallel runway will be constructed to enable simultaneous operations and serve as a backup to Runway 2 during its reconstruction.

The terminal facilities will also undergo expansion, with plans to expand hold rooms to the south and increase overall capacity for users. A new car rental facility is also under construction, consolidating rental car services closer to the terminal.

The development of Kahului Airport is governed by a centralized state structure that oversees all airports and seaports in Hawaii. The Hawaii Airports Administrator, appointed by the Director of the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, manages six governing bodies that collectively have authority over the airport's operations and development.

With its busy corridors, heavy traffic, and future expansion plans, Kahului Airport is well on its way to becoming a permanent international airport, serving routes from Canada and Japan, and accommodating larger aircraft for international travel.

Frequently asked questions

Kahului Airport is an international airport.

The airport's codes are OGG, PHOG, and OGG.

The airport has two passenger terminals, a helicopter terminal, shops, food outlets, and a garden on the upper floor.

Airlines that fly to Kahului Airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin America, Hawaiian Airlines, Air Canada, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines.

The Master Plan is a 20-year development plan to elevate Kahului Airport to an international airport standard by 2035. This includes expanding existing facilities and constructing new access roads and runways to accommodate larger aircraft.

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