Runway Damage/Repairs Impacting Kona Aiport (KOA) Flights [Early 2024]
Jan 15, 2024, 9:36 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
Jan 15, 2024, 9:43 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
More info here.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...le5KNF-dmM8eds
Kona’s international airport is closed “until further notice” after cracks were discovered on the runway Monday, triggering a growing number of flight delays.
The state Transportation Department said the airport shut down operations at 4:20 p.m. Monday.
“HDOT is measuring the usable runway length and will provide the information to airline operators to determine how to reopen the runway while restricting planes from the damaged areas,” the state said, in a release.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...le5KNF-dmM8eds
Kona’s international airport is closed “until further notice” after cracks were discovered on the runway Monday, triggering a growing number of flight delays.
The state Transportation Department said the airport shut down operations at 4:20 p.m. Monday.
“HDOT is measuring the usable runway length and will provide the information to airline operators to determine how to reopen the runway while restricting planes from the damaged areas,” the state said, in a release.
Jan 15, 2024, 10:15 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
Jan 15, 2024, 11:13 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KOA/PHKO
Programs: Starbucks Gold :-)
Posts: 831
Jan 15, 2024, 11:31 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,663
I’m not, airlines that don’t have operations at ITO aren’t going to divert, looks like OGG and HNL are preferred. I agree with your logical thoughts though.
Jan 16, 2024, 12:10 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Captain Cook, HI, USA
Programs: BA, DL, HA, etc
Posts: 984
I am seeing flights still available at Hawaiian and Delta websites but some classes listed as Sold Out. I am sure they will evaluate and find a good path through the cracks, and perhaps they have already done so.
Jan 16, 2024, 5:51 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
I'm guessing only WN and HA have ground staff there. If this is a short-term thing - probably doesn't make sense to relocate ground crews there.
Jan 16, 2024, 10:31 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KOA/PHKO
Programs: Starbucks Gold :-)
Posts: 831
Update: As of 6:30am this morning, 1/16/2024, KOA has resumed operations. Continued repair work is expected to occur overnight tonight.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jan 17, 2024 at 2:44 pm Reason: edited to remove quote of now-deleted post
Jan 17, 2024, 2:46 pm
#13
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,043
Thanks for the update; I've gone ahead and revised the title of this thread to reflect the current situation. Safe travel to all and let's hope for a nice and fully-repaired runway for the Kona flights.
FlyinHawaiian, Moderator
Hawaii (Travel) Forum
FlyinHawaiian, Moderator
Hawaii (Travel) Forum
Feb 13, 2024, 11:34 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KOA/PHKO
Programs: Starbucks Gold :-)
Posts: 831
Ah, so here we go. KOA is closed until noon today, 2/13, apparently taking longer than anticipated for the asphalt to cool. Delays and cancelations abound. Hopefully not indicative of how the longer repair work is going to be 
Source: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...irport-runway/
Source: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...irport-runway/
Feb 13, 2024, 2:41 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
Ah, so here we go. KOA is closed until noon today, 2/13, apparently taking longer than anticipated for the asphalt to cool. Delays and cancelations abound. Hopefully not indicative of how the longer repair work is going to be
Source: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...irport-runway/
Source: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...irport-runway/
I'm at KOA now and it's a disaster. Except for the concessions.