Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole was ranked by Forbes Advisor as the second-best airport for holiday travel in the nation, the financial media outlet announced last week.
Forbes Advisor analyzed federal transportation data for the months of November through January to determine which airports and airlines are the best and worst for holiday travel.
The West Hawaii airport had the highest percent of on-time flights (88.89%) and the lowest percent of flight cancellations (0.49%) out of the 100 busiest airports. KOA also ranked ninth lowest for air carrier delays (4.53%) and average airfare between October and December ($311.53).
“We take great pride in our operations at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), and to be ranked so highly by Forbes is an incredible honor,” Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation Director, said in an email response to the newspaper.
“Our Hawaii Island District Manager Chauncey Wong Yuen and our incredible DOT staff work so hard with our airline, concessions, and rental car partners to provide the travelling public the best experience possible at KOA,” he added. “It’s a real tribute to Chauncey and his team! We will continue to work with our partners to improve the passenger experience.”
The nation’s 100 busiest airports and eight of its largest national airlines were scored on key metrics, including customer complaints, flight delays and cancellations, mishandled baggage, recent increases in ticket costs, and more. Data came from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics Air Travel Consumer Reports, the media company said.
Kona International came in behind only Long Beach (California) Airport as the best for holiday travel. Six of the top 10 best airports are located in California.
Plans are in the works to make the airport even better, Wong Yuen told West Hawaii Today earlier this year.
Armed with promise of more federal money, staring with $6 million, the state is currently working on a design to rehabilitate the facility’s lone runway. That project is expected to start in 2023.
Future projects include removing all of the U.S. Department of Agriculture checkpoints in the lobby, with a new section centralized in the back of house, just like the Transportation Security Administration.
Another priority is to put out a request for proposal for a hotel to be built on airport land. DoubleTree, Holiday Inn Express and Cambria Choice Hotel have expressed interest in having a presence at the state’s second international gateway. The hotel development is slated to be located across the street from the rental car stations, however, Wong Yuen said other places could be designated between NELHA and the airport.
As the number of passengers and flights coming into Kona increase, expansion will be necessary.
Wong Yuen said long-term plans include adding a second floor to the terminal, including jetways.
The full Forbes report can be found at https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/worst-airports-airlines-holiday-travel/ .