Hilo Airport begins runway night closures for lighting upgrade

Hilo International Airport is set to undergo significant improvements to its runway lighting starting January 6, 2025. This project is part of a nationwide initiative to enhance airport infrastructure. The airport, which connects Hawaii with other regions, will close one of its two runways during nighttime hours for this purpose.

The construction work will focus on Runway 8-26, closing it from 9:00 PM to 5:30 AM local time over a period of four months. During these closures, aircraft operations will shift to the shorter Runway 3-21. According to Big Island Now, the upgrades are part of Phase 4 of the Taxiway and Runway Lighting Replacement Project.

This effort aligns with a broader United States investment in aviation infrastructure under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated that "We’re acting to improve lighting systems at 82 airports," emphasizing the importance of these upgrades for safe aircraft operations.