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The only state in North America that is an archipelago in the tropics is the Island State of Hawaii, located 2,000 miles southwest of the United States mainland. It consists of 137 volcanic islands, but there are eight main islands on which the majority of its population resides: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe.

Primary airports for Hawaii

According to Census Data , over 1.4 million people call the State of Hawaii home. To keep these residents connected to the outside world, there are seven primary airports that provide commercial services interstate or to the US mainland.

The largest airport in Hawaii is the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), which serves the city of Honolulu. The airport offers nonstop services to many destinations across North America, Asia, and Oceania, and its land area occupies around 1% of the entire island of Oahu. It is an operating hub for Alaska Airlines, Aloha Air Cargo, Asia-Pacific Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, and Transair Corporate Air.

Discover the key airlines flying inter-island routes in Hawaii, their destinations, and aircraft, connecting the islands seamlessly.

Island of Hawaii

Hilo International Airport (ITO)

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA)

More commonly known as Kona International Airport, is the other gateway on the Island of Hawaii. This airport is located on the leeward side of the Island and sees the majority of all aircraft operations on the island.

KOA welcomes flights from nine different carriers, including international services seasonally by Air Canada (Vancouver), and Westjet (Calgary and Vancouver). Kona can accept larger aircraft including the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777.

Earlier this year, runway cracks were found leading to a runway closure. The cost of repairs overall cost over $6.5 million, according to Hawaii News Now .

The ordeal forced some flights to return to their gates.

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Island of Maui

Kahului Airport (OGG)

The main airport for the Island of Maui has been in operation since 1952. Its most popular service is Honolulu, which is one of the heaviest tracked air routes in the US. The airport's unique IATA code, OGG, pays tribute to aviation pioneer Bertram J Hogg, a Kauai native.

No passengers or crew were reported injured.

Island of Lānaʻi

Lanai Airport (LNY)

Island of Molokaʻi

Molokai Airport (MKK)

Also known as Hoolehua Airport, MKK covers 288 acres on the island of Moloka'i, Molokai Airport welcomes services from Mokulele Airlines to four destinations across the state. While the airport has welcomed other carriers in the past, and aircraft, including the Boeing 737-200 by Aloha Airlines , today's services are with Mokuele Airlines and its Cessna Grand Caravans 208EX.

Island of Oʻahu

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

The state's busiest, Honolulu International Airport , has over 60 gates spread across three terminals. Honolulu remains the principal gateway to Hawaii, and while some other airports across Hawaii have international services, Honolulu retains the lion's share.

While Alaska, American Airlines, , and United Airlines all serve Honolulu, they do not operate international services from the airport.

From its hub in Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines offers some unique non-stop destinations that you may not be familiar with.

Island of Kauaʻi

Lihue Airport (LIH)

Nestled on the southeast coast of the Island of Kaua'i, LIH is a unique airport known for its open-air design. Check-in is outside, and the airport has filmed many blockbuster movies, including Honeymoon in Vegas, Soul Surfer, and The Descendants.

While its most popular service is to Honolulu (provided by Hawaiian and Southwest), the busiest route to the US mainland is to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which has stiff competition from five different carriers: American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, and United.

Aloha, Ohana, Go!, Mid Pacific Air, and Mahalo are now just distant memories.