Hold on for this. A massively disruptive project for unrestricted four-engine aircraft that represent a small percentage of Hawaii flights.
Hold on for this. A massively disruptive project for unrestricted four-engine aircraft that represent a small percentage of Hawaii flights.
During work on 8L-26R, flights landing on 4L-22R and 4R-22L cannot cross 8L-26R while landing. The crossing point is on the north portion of 8L-26R. So, aircraft that can stop in the available distance can still land on the 4-22 runways in northerly winds, when aircraft land towards the north. But in southerly winds, the runways must be used in the opposite direction, and the crossing point does not allow adequate stopping distance. So working on 8L-26R in southerly winds would have meant that all four runways except for 8R-26L (reef runway) would have been closed. Squeezing all operations into one runway would have been undoable with the amount of traffic and mix of aircraft types. So no they couldn’t do the work in south winds.
Total mismanagement by DOT!! Look at the light rail boondoggle and how is that going? They can build casinos in Vegas quicker that working on the runway. All Hawaiian tax payers, airlines and unions need to hold everyone of the do nothing but give excuses politicians the boot.
I could understand the need if A380s or B747-800s were going to be in continuous production but neither of those planes have good futures
Spending so much and creating a building shortage is interesting due to the fact that Hawaii would like fewer visitors to the Islands. Should accommodating the largest planes be a high priority?
Exactly my thoughts, Rod! See my previous comment about the same ..
Boeing tested there 777 at Kona a few months ago. Kona could be the landing spot
More direct flights to other islands is reasonable. Don’t use Honolulu as a hub. Flights go to Kona or Maui. Then transfer to smaller planes to Honolulu. Or the fight ends at Kona or Maui.
This whole situation is contrived and is a classic example of the corruption and incompetence-IMO-of Hawaii DOT and HNL airport management. I flew B-747’s out HNL base for 20+ years and we Never had any problems with RW 8L or 8R. The USAF has been doing the same out of Hickham for decades = no problems.
Any reconstruction of these runways for “safety” is bogus,IMO. Someone is getting paid off via the contracts let for a Huge and non-essential $$$$$$ project.
May be bad timing, now that Hawaii wants to get less visitors. So a new runway for bigger planes to be completed by 2024? Hum …
Why does private work have to stop or really any other work for that matter? Is there a shortage of building materials in HI and is the runway going to be using that much?
Patrick, you have been on here bashing Hawaiian if I’m not mistaken. Your comment about 8L explains it…you are unfamiliar with Hawaii.
8L is the primary runway and pivotal to the airport operations.
Actually you are mistaken…
That being said I asked about runway work and a possible material shortage and that was somehow construed as bashing Hawaiian?
And I know all about the runway situation at HNL. Based on the statement by Ed Sniffen “We put all of the asphalt binder in the state behind this one project which means that all of the other state projects, county projects and even private projects are on hold until this project is done.” So there does appear to be a shortage of materials. So much so that any other asphalt work, on any island (even private work), has to come to a stand still until the project can be completed.
Right you are Patrick and my apologies! I read using as used that much! I’m pretty quick to defend Hawaii and Hawaiian due to some pretty crass attacks on HA by some SWA folks on here but missed the boat on this one!
NP…
I flew Hawaiian LAX – HNL – LIH and it was a great flight. The crew was Really good as well. They made the flight.
I like SWA as I have a companion pass ( 2 for 1 flying) but when it comes to flying to HI, Hawaiian has way more seat options than SWA does.
Haven’t Boeing and Airbus discontinued production of these models? Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380, I recall 380’s being scrapped, and I think yhe end of the 747 production has occurred already too.
Sadly Dean you are right.