Kona International Airport at Keāhole

Kona International Airport at Keāhole
Name	Kona International Airport at Keāhole
Iata	KOA
Icao	PHKO
Type	Public
Owner	Hawaii Department of Transportation
Operator	Hawaii Department of Transportation
City-served	Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (island)
Location	Kailua-Kona, Hawaii County, Hawaii
Elevation-f	52
R1-number	17/35
R1-length-f	11,000
R1-surface	Asphalt

Contents

History
Facilities and terminals
Airlines and destinations
Statistics
Ground transportation and access
Accidents and incidents

Kona International Airport at Keāhole is an international airport on the west coast of the island of Hawaii (island), serving Kailua-Kona and the Kona resort district. It is one of five airports operated by the Hawaii Department of Transportation and functions as a gateway for interisland service, transpacific flights, and visitor traffic to the Hawaiian Islands, including connections to Honolulu, Hilo, Maui (island), and continental United States. The facility includes a runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft and is a primary node in the Hawaii tourism network, cargo logistics, and regional aviation.

History

The airport opened in 1970 as Keāhole Airport, constructed near the Keāhole Point lava fields to replace the earlier Kona International Airport (Old) operations at Kailua-Kona (old airport), enabling longer-range Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 service. Development occurred amid state infrastructure initiatives linked to the expansion of Interstate H-1 era planning and the rise of Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. In the 1980s and 1990s, runway extensions and terminal upgrades accommodated jet arrivals from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Tokyo, and seasonal service from Vancouver and Sydney. Post-2000 projects included security, passenger processing improvements tied to Transportation Security Administration requirements, and modernization influenced by airline alliances such as Star Alliance and Oneworld codeshare networks. Natural hazards, notably volcanic activity associated with Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, have factored into contingency planning and regional emergency response collaborations with Hawaii County Emergency Management Agency.

Facilities and terminals

The airport features a single primary terminal with multiple concourses, ticketing lobbies, gates compatible with narrow-body and wide-body aircraft including Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 types, and general aviation facilities serving operators like Mesa Airlines and Island Air (1980–2017). Support infrastructure includes a 11,000-foot runway, instrument landing systems coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, aircraft rescue and firefighting services certified under FAA Part 139, and cargo aprons utilized by carriers such as FedEx Express and Hawaiian Airlines Cargo. Groundside amenities include car rental counters operated by Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Avis Budget Group, concession areas featuring local vendors connected to Hawaiian cultural tourism, and fixed-base operator services for private jets and charter operators from Tourism industry partners. Environmental mitigation efforts have addressed coastal erosion near Keāhole Point and native habitat considerations for species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Airlines and destinations

Statistics

Passenger traffic has fluctuated with tourism trends, showing significant growth through the late 20th century, peak annual enplanements during the 2000s for arrivals from United States mainland markets, and variable declines during global events affecting travel such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Cargo throughput supports island supply chains, with freight primarily handled by Hawaiian Airlines Cargo and FedEx Express freighters. Annual aircraft operations include a mix of scheduled commercial flights, general aviation, and air taxi services; statistical reporting is provided to the Federal Aviation Administration and Hawaii Department of Transportation for planning and funding under airport improvement programs.

Ground transportation and access

Ground access is primarily via Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (State Route 19) connecting to Kailua-Kona and resort areas, with signage directing to rental car facilities, shuttle operators, and taxi services including Uber and Lyft that operate on the island under county regulations. Public transit connections are available through Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency routes linking to surrounding communities. Parking options include short-term and long-term lots, and dedicated loading zones facilitate tour operators serving destinations such as Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, and Mauna Kea access roads for chartered excursions.

Accidents and incidents

Operational history includes incidents typical of regional airports, involving general aviation mishaps, bird strikes, and runway excursions investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Notable events prompted coordination with agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and Hawaii Department of Transportation to implement safety recommendations, runway maintenance programs, and wildlife hazard management plans in conjunction with local authorities including Hawaii County Police Department.

Category:Airports in Hawaii Category:Transportation in Hawaii County, Hawaii