HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Kona International Airport is closed “until further notice” after cracks were discovered on the runway Monday, leading to a growing number of flight delays.
The state Department of Transportation said the airport suspended operations Monday at 4:20 p.m.
“HDOT is measuring the usable runway length and will provide the information to airline operators to determine how to reopen the runway while removing aircraft from the damaged areas,” the state said in a news release.
“HDOT is also working with contractors to mill and resurface the affected area.”
As of 7 p.m., Hawaiian Air announced that they will be canceling remaining flights to and from Kona on Monday evening.
Hawaiian Air officials said five interisland flights and one flight from Los Angeles to Kona are currently affected.
Hawaiian Air said guests who booked travel to or from Kona later in the evening should not come to the airport.
Kona is the busiest airport on the island of Hawaii and has an 11,000-foot runway.
The state said there are already concerns about the runway and a project is planned to reconstruct it.
“Due to recent rains, cracks had formed and runway pavement deterioration accelerated,” the state Department of Transportation said.
This story will be updated.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.