Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole

PHKO 19.74N 156.05W · ELEV 47 FT

Airports / Hawaii / KOA

Large airport · KOA

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii · 47 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.

Get operator quotes View on map

4.0/5

Google rating

4,369 ratings

Operators based

Elevation ft

Scheduled service

Kailua-Kona, HawaiiELEV 47 FTLarge airportScheduled service

4.0

Google rating

4,369

Google reviews

ratings on Google

FBOs on field

ramp, fuel and handling

Field elevation

feet above sea level

Nearest alternate

nm to MUE

Field standing

Computed · Google ratings × Bravo register

27 nm

To the nearest alternate

Waimea Kohala Airport (MUE).

Overview

Field brief

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (PHKO / KOA) is a large commercial airport serving Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Field elevation is 47 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.

While no charter operators list KOA as their home base, the field is reachable for repositioned charter aircraft from nearby bases. The closest alternate fields are Waimea Kohala Airport (MUE, 27 nm), Hilo International Airport (ITO, 57 nm), and Hana Airport (HNM, 63 nm). The field has a single 11,000-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.

Charter travelers heading this way can start with the Kona, HI destination guide for route and aircraft recommendations. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from KOA to plan your flight.

3 FBOs serve PHKO. Run one? Become the preferred FBO

Ramp services

FBOs on the field

02 · 3 FBOs · directory

Atlantic Aviation Keahole-Kona
Your FBO? Claim it, free
Aloha embodies the sacred spirit of the islands, and the hearts of the Hawaiian people, yet to truly understand it, it must be experienced. At Atlantic Aviation Kona, our legacy of excellence is fueled by the spirit of aloha. Everything we do is to make sure our guests experience it straight from our hearts.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- Mon-Sun: 0700-1700, on-call services with prior arrangements
- Unicom 128.95
- Executive lounge
- Wi-Fi
- Car rental
- Hangar
- Parking
- Fuel
- Ground handling
- Catering
- +2 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Big Island Jet Center
Your FBO? Claim it, free
Big Island Jet Center offers full ground handling and support for turbine aircraft ranging from general aviation private aircraft to military aircraft, widebody shuttles, cargo operators, and helicopters. Operations at BIJC commenced with a temporary, well-appointed terminal structure, designed to offer a seamless experience for passengers and crew.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- Open every day 08:00-17:00 HST, afterhours available
- Unicom 128.825
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Shuttle
- Car rental
- +15 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Signature Flight Support Kailua Kona
Your FBO? Claim it, free
Hawaii Island is the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian chain, famous for active volcanoes, golf courses, scenic coastlines and endless natural wonders. Hawaii's temperate weather and breathtaking natural beauty make it the perfect getaway for the holidays.
- Fuel
- 0800L - 1700L Call out available on request
- Unicom 130.8
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Car rental
- Taxi
- Restrooms
- Hotel help
- +15 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address

Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.

What fliers highlight.

From the stored review texts

4/ 5 reviews

Easy in & out

“This was such an easy airport to maneuver, and every staff member that I spoke to today went out of the way to be kind, to help with any questions.”

June Malocu5★ on Google

3/ 5 reviews

Terminal & facilities

“Stepping off the South West plane and walking through the outdoor terminal, feeling the warm Hawaiian breeze and seeing the familiar gathering spaces, instantly brought back memories.”

Paul Wang5★ on Google

3/ 5 reviews

Staff & service

“While many airports strive to be bigger and busier, Kona remains welcoming, unpretentious, and uniquely Hawaiian.”

Paul Wang5★ on Google

Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, every quote is verbatim from a real review.

Field capability

Charts on SkyVector

Field data

ICAO

PHKO

IATA

KOA

FAA / Local

KOA

Elevation

47 ft

Coordinates

19.7388° N · 156.0456° W

Airspace

D · Delta

Size

Large

Scheduled svc

Yes

Elevation vs HI fields

state range 13–6,190 ft

At 47 ft, KOA sits lower than 55% of the 22 Hawaii fields on the register.

Runways & aircraft access

Full record on AirNav

Field data

1 runway

longest 11,000 ft

17/35
11,000 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted

Which aircraft can operate here

vs longest paved runway 11,000 ft

KOA's 11,000 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.

Turboprop3,000 ft
Light Jet3,500 ft
Midsize Jet4,500 ft
Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
Heavy Jet5,500 ft
VIP Airliner6,000 ft

Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.

Access & alternates

Access

Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.

Destinations served

Kona, HI

Location

Open the full map

PHKO · Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole · Kailua-Kona, HI

Flight times from here

Block times

Approximate nonstop block times from KOA on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.

Destination	Distance	Block time
Honolulu (HNL)	142 nm	44m
San Francisco (SFO)	2,056 nm	5h 11m
Los Angeles (VNY)	2,173 nm	5h 27m
Seattle (SEA)	2,336 nm	5h 50m
Las Vegas (LAS)	2,359 nm	5h 53m
Scottsdale (SCF)	2,489 nm	6h 11m
Anchorage (ANC)	2,501 nm	6h 13m
Salt Lake City (SLC)	2,575 nm	6h 23m

Common questions

FAQ

What size private jets can use KOA?: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole's longest paved runway is 11,000 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
What is the longest runway at KOA?: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole has one runway; the longest measures 11,000 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
Which FBOs are at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole?: 3 FBOs serve KOA: Atlantic Aviation Keahole-Kona, Big Island Jet Center and Signature Flight Support Kailua Kona. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
What is the nearest major airport to KOA?: The closest alternate is Waimea Kohala Airport (MUE), about 27 nm away, followed by Hilo International Airport (ITO) at 57 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
How long is a flight from KOA to major cities?: Typical block times on a midsize jet: San Francisco about 5h 11m (2,056 nm), Los Angeles about 5h 27m (2,173 nm), Seattle about 5h 50m (2,336 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.