$9.2 million has been set aside from Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s supplemental budget to upgrade Lihue Airport.
The total remodel project is expected to break ground next year and take up to five years to complete. Renovations may include expansions to the airport’s front entrance, main security checkpoint, queuing area, seating area and holding rooms.
The airport was initially built for two airlines, Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines. Aloha has since gone out of business, leaving all the inter-island business to Hawaiian. The two-runway, eight-gate airport has now grown to accommodate 2.5 million to 2.7 million passengers each year.
The additional seasonal flights offered by Hawaiian along with the direct flights from the mainland provided by United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, West Jet, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines have picked up the pace at the airport.