Airport Delays

[HiloJulie]

Depending on how long this closure lasts, Hilo just might have to become the airport with the needed capabilities being brought over from Kona, Maui and/or Honolulu - at a minimum the daily Kona Inter-Island flights may have to shift to Hilo if the big Airlines will only divert to Maui or Honolulu.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

People have bookings at hotels and B&B’s on Kona side. Somebody better figure out a way to land passengers at Hilo International, with a rental car waiting, or there’s going to be some very unhappy corporate executives.

[TomK]

I suspect the runway issue in Kona will be fixed quite quickly. We'll find out Tuesday morning.

[Punatang]

Tribune reports that Kona should overcome it's crack problem this morning. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/01/1...er-notice/

[terracore]

Tribune reports that Kona should overcome it's crack problem this morning.  https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/01/1...er-notice/

Wait?  Was Hunter visiting?

I saw the picture of the "crack".  Was more like a pothole.  Is the Orchidland road association in charge of runway maintenance?!

Speaking of potential flight delays.  NWS issued a wind warning for gusts to 50:


WIND ADVISORY

ISSUED: 3:55 AM JAN. 16, 2024 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT HST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southwest winds increasing to 20 to 30 mph with
localized gusts over 50 mph.

* WHERE...Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and lower
elevations on Maui and the Big Island.

* WHEN...Until midnight HST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down
tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it
difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high profile
vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strongest winds are expected over and
downwind of the island terrain, as well as through valleys and in
areas where the terrain funnels winds most effectively.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Watch out for falling tree branches when walking or driving. Make
sure tents and awnings are secure or take them down. Be prepared
for power outages.

[TomK]

Tribune reports that Kona should overcome it's crack problem this morning.  https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/01/1...er-notice/

Wait?  Was Hunter visiting?

I saw the picture of the "crack".  Was more like a pothole.  Is the Orchidland road association in charge of runway maintenance?!

I think this is what Obie was referring to as "chunking". You can imagine what that might do to an aircraft's tires at high speed. I don't think the main problem would be a few hours delay in that case.

[Punatang]

   

[TomK]

No, that's not what I meant!

[terracore]

Tribune reports that Kona should overcome it's crack problem this morning.  https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/01/1...er-notice/

Wait?  Was Hunter visiting?

I saw the picture of the "crack".  Was more like a pothole.  Is the Orchidland road association in charge of runway maintenance?!

I think this is what Obie was referring to as "chunking". You can imagine what that might do to an aircraft's tires at high speed. I don't think the main problem would be a few hours delay in that case.

Chunks of asphalt are also not friendly getting sucked into jet engines.

[TomK]

That would be bad as well. But it would be just fine if the airport had spare engines on standby with all the staff needed to replace the engine, fix the runway, and fly the plane. You can imagine the chaos if the spare parts dept didn't have a spare baggage scanner on hand as well in case one of them broke down at the same time.