Ruth Haines
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole in Hawaii was closed temporarily due to cracks in the runway that required emergency repairs. The airport serves transpacific and interisland flights and is located in West Hawaii at Keahole. The shutdown impacted travel plans, with Hawaiian Airlines offering waivers for rescheduled or cancelled flights on specific dates. While the airport has since resumed operations, travellers continue to experience minor delays, including gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) |
| Airport Location | Kailua-Kona, West Hawaii |
| Airport Status | Open |
| Previous Status | Closed for emergency repairs due to cracks in the runway |
| Date of Closure | February 13, 2024 |
| Resumption of Operations | Yes |
| Resumption Date | Not specified |
| Delays | Gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less |
| Travel Advisory | Hawaiian Airlines offered a travel waiver for flights on February 13, 2024, allowing rescheduling without additional cost |
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What You'll Learn
- Kona International Airport was closed for emergency repairs in February 2024
- Hawaiian Airlines offered waivers for rescheduled or cancelled flights
- The airport was closed due to cracks in the runway
- The airport has experienced delays of 15 minutes or less
- The TSA announced REAL ID enforcement measures at checkpoints
Kona International Airport was closed for emergency repairs in February 2024
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, also known by its airport code KOA, is located in West Hawaii. It serves transpacific and interisland flights, providing vital connections for residents and tourists alike. The airport is named after Ellison Onizuka, a Hawaii-born astronaut who perished in the tragic Challenger space shuttle accident in 1986.
The closure of the airport for emergency repairs was necessary to address the cracks in the runway. These cracks posed a significant safety hazard and could not be ignored. The State of Hawaii took swift action to close the runway and coordinate the necessary repairs.
During the closure, passengers experienced disruptions to their travel plans. Hawaiian Airlines, one of the major carriers serving Kona International Airport, offered waivers to affected passengers. These waivers allowed for the rescheduling of flights without additional charges. Passengers could also cancel their flights and use the value as credit towards new tickets.
The airport worked closely with the state to determine when the runway would reopen. They provided updates to the public as soon as they were available to help minimise the impact on travellers' plans. The repairs were completed, and the airport resumed operations, ensuring that passengers could resume their journeys to and from Kona International Airport safely.
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Hawaiian Airlines offered waivers for rescheduled or cancelled flights
Hawaiian Airlines has offered waivers for rescheduled or cancelled flights in certain situations. For example, in February 2024, the airline allowed guests travelling to/from Kona (KOA) to reschedule their flights at no additional cost after the runway was closed for emergency repairs. Similarly, in January-February 2025, the airline offered guests travelling to/from Kona and several other Hawaiian destinations the option to reschedule or cancel their flights without any change fees. In the event of a Force Majeure Event, Hawaiian Airlines may also cancel, terminate, or delay flights without prior notice and determine whether a departure or landing should be made, without any liability to the airline or the passenger, subject to government laws.
In other instances, passengers have reported mixed experiences with Hawaiian Airlines regarding refunds, rebooking, and waivers. Some passengers have been offered refunds or the option to reschedule their flights without additional fees or fare differences. However, in a 2020 lawsuit, a passenger claimed that the airline refused to provide a refund for a cancelled flight and instead only offered credits. The airline has also been accused of not adequately communicating policies regarding refunds and cancellations, which has led to confusion and dissatisfaction among customers.
It is important to note that Hawaiian Airlines, like other airlines, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The dynamic nature of the situation has resulted in fast-changing rules and policies regarding ticket changes, cancellations, and refunds. While Hawaiian Airlines and other carriers strive to adapt to evolving circumstances, customers have expressed a need for more transparency and flexibility to feel confident in their travel plans.
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The airport was closed due to cracks in the runway
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole was closed temporarily on 12 April 2024 due to a crack in its runway. The Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced that Runway 17-35 was closed to repair an asphalt crack that had formed overnight between the intersections of Taxiways "G" and "H". The crack was discovered during daily visual inspections of the runway, which include inspections by state engineers and Federal Aviation Administration officials. Overnight rain is suspected to have contributed to the formation of the crack.
The airport anticipated reopening by noon the same day, and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority stated that they were monitoring the situation and in contact with the Department of Transportation and the airlines that service the airport. The runway was temporarily repaired, but additional pavement repairs were conducted overnight to establish a more long-term repair solution. With no alternate runways, the airport was closed for flight operations during these repairs.
Previously, on 13 February 2024, the Kona airport runway was closed for emergency repairs, and Hawaiian Airlines offered a travel waiver for guests travelling to/from Kona (KOA) on that day. Guests could reschedule their flights without additional charges or cancel their flight and use the value as credit towards a new ticket.
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The airport has experienced delays of 15 minutes or less
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole in Hawaii has experienced disruptions due to emergency repairs and runway closures. On one occasion, the airport was closed due to cracks in the runway, with operations resuming after repairs.
Despite these challenges, the airport has generally managed to maintain efficient operations, with minimal delays for departing and arriving flights. As of April 5, 2025, the airport experienced gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less for departing flights. Similarly, arrival traffic faced airborne delays of 15 minutes or less.
These minor delays can be attributed to various factors, including air traffic congestion, weather conditions, or operational constraints. It's important to note that such short delays are common at busy airports and are typically considered within the acceptable range for timely flight operations.
Passengers are advised to stay updated using flight tracking tools and to arrive at the airport with ample time before their scheduled departure to account for these potential minor delays. While 15-minute delays are currently the norm, unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions could lead to longer delays or cancellations.
Therefore, it is always recommended to check the airport's official website or social media channels for the latest updates and to subscribe to flight status notifications to receive timely alerts regarding any changes to flight schedules.
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The TSA announced REAL ID enforcement measures at checkpoints
As of February 2024, there is no indication that flights will be cancelled at Kona International Airport (KOA). In fact, operations at the airport have resumed after the State of Hawaii closed the runway for emergency repairs. However, one source indicates that there are some general departure and arrival delays of 15 minutes or less.
REAL ID enforcement measures will be implemented at TSA checkpoints nationwide. Starting May 7, 2025, all airline passengers aged 18 and older, including TSA PreCheck® members, must present a REAL ID-compliant identification or another acceptable form of ID. This means that state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted at TSA security checkpoints.
The TSA expects the number of passengers obtaining REAL IDs to increase steadily and will continue to screen those without a REAL ID until it is no longer considered a security vulnerability. The TSA has also stated that they will implement REAL ID efficiently, working to minimize operational disruptions at airports. Most travelers who already have their REAL ID, passport, or other acceptable form of ID will not be impacted by these changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Kona International Airport was closed for emergency repairs on its runway in February 2024. The airport has since resumed operations. As of April 5, 2025, the airport is experiencing gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less.
If your flight is cancelled due to the emergency repairs, you can reschedule your flight at no additional cost or cancel your flight and use the value as credit towards a new ticket.
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is an alternative airport to Kona International Airport (KOA).
