Honolulu Airport Traffic On Decline

Though Honolulu International Airport saw its passenger traffic dip in 2001 by more than 12 percent, the airport's upcoming renovations and strong safety record continue to keep the airport busy.

Located four miles west of downtown Honolulu, the airport is considered one of the nation's safest in terms of aircraft incidents. Low-visibility weather impedes its runways only about 1 percent of the year, according to Ben Schlapak, head engineer within the Hawaii Department of Transportation's airport division.

Security improvements will be completed this year as per federal regulations, along with a consolidated security checkpoint. Also, the design and construction of an internal perimeter road with three bridges for easier access to the airport will open up this year.

The airport's four major runways include the notable Reef Runway, which, upon its construction in 1977, was the first major offshore runway. Runway paving projects also continue at Honolulu International this year. The airport is repaving one runway annually and is smoothing out some taxiways this year as well.

Airport traffic is divided between the airport's main terminal, an International Arrivals Terminal and the Inter-island Terminal, which shuttles an average of 9 million passengers annually to the other five islands. The International Arrivals Building was the latest terminal to get a facelift in 2000, adding a baggage claim area and better lighting. Passengers move through the airport to its 28 gates by way of buses that pick up travelers from the main terminal's ticket lobbies to two separate concourses and the Inter-island Terminal. As has been common after Sept. 11, vehicle parking and access has remained restricted. A new, automated vehicle identification system also is expected to be implemented this year, Schlapak said.

Passenger traffic at Honolulu International actually has been on the decline since a peak in 1996 of more than 24 million passengers.