Daniel K Inouye International (PHNL), Hawaii
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Daniel K Inouye International (PHNL / HNL) is Honolulu's primary international gateway and a Tier 1 facility by traffic volume, handling 221,914 total annual operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, of which 36,083 are business aviation movements. The field sits at 14 feet elevation and operates as a towered, public-use airport with continuous all-day, all-week attendance. Its runway system spans four paved surfaces up to 12,360 feet plus two water runways for seaplane use, reflecting the mixed civilian and military character of the field, which shares infrastructure with an adjacent joint base.
Runways
Daniel K Inouye International has six runways. The longest, 08L/26R, is 12,360 ft long and 200 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Daniel K Inouye International has Jet A, Jet A1+ and 100 available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Daniel K Inouye International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Daniel K Inouye International recorded 36,083 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August and December. Business aviation traffic at PHNL is somewhat concentrated toward the end of the calendar year, with December posting the highest monthly total and February the lowest.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month December, 3,404 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Daniel K Inouye International averages 10.3 days above 90°F in August. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 88.8°F, and January the coldest, at 80.5°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Daniel K Inouye International has published operating constraints in seven categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Prior permission from the airport manager is required for transportation of Class A or B explosives into and/or out of HNL.
Due to the location of the air traffic control tower, controllers are unable to determine whether aircraft are on the correct final approach to runways 04L-04R and 22L-22R.
Taxiways G, ADG V and below, require power-in with prior permission.
Military miscellaneous (2 of 2): limited weather briefing support is available. Remote flight weather briefings can be obtained by contacting the 17th Weather Squadron, available 24 hours, by fax; a 2-hour prior notice is required for a timely briefing. Official observations are taken by the FAA. Cooperative weather watch procedures do not exist between weather services and air traffic control.
Military miscellaneous (2 of 2): waivers will be granted only on extreme necessity. If short-notice mission-essential waivers are necessary, contact the 15 OG/CC by phone through the 15th Wing Command Post, or 154 OG/CC for HIANG aircraft. The 15th Wing Command Post will pass approval to Hickam Flight Service and Hickam Ramp Advisory.
Military restricted: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam requires prior permission for all non-TFWC missions, AMC training missions, and KC-135 8th and 8th Expeditionary missions; contact the 735th Mission Operations Center for prior permission. All AMC prior permission requests will be coordinated Monday through Friday, 1700 to 0400Z only. All non-AMC aircraft, including foreign, sister service, transient aircraft, and other missions, must contact 15 OSS/OSA (Air Mobility Operations) by email or duty cell for prior permission coordination. All prior permission requests will be approved no earlier than 72 hours but no later than 24 hours prior to arrival.
Military restricted: military aircraft operating during bird watch condition moderate are limited to initial takeoff or full stop landing only, with no multiple IFR/VFR approaches; during severe conditions, takeoff and landing are prohibited without 15 OG/CC approval, or 154 OG/CC approval for HIANG aircraft. Contact Hickam Ramp, PTD, 15th Wing Command Post, 735 AMC Command Post, or 154th Wing Command Post for current conditions.
Wide-body and four-engine turbojets landing on runway 04R roll to the end of the runway, with no left turn at taxiway K without approval.
Military restricted: tower approval is required to use taxiway Kilo from runway 4R. A hold line is in effect for taxiway R7 between the portion of the taxiway crossing and the approach zone for runway 04L/R. Taxiway P is closed to aircraft over 12,500 pounds.
The PAPI for runway 22L is unusable beyond 2 nautical miles.
The PAPI for runway 26L is aligned 5 degrees left of runway centerline and is unusable beyond 5 degrees right of runway centerline.
The PAPI for runway 26R is unusable beyond 1.5 nautical miles from the threshold.
During periods of non-visibility, the tower is unable to determine whether the following areas are clear of obstructions and/or traffic: portions of taxiway J between taxiway B and runway 08R, and portions of the inter-island aircraft parking ramp.
Caution: during periods of repeated precipitation, expect wet runway conditions; if current conditions require confirmation, contact Honolulu tower on initial contact.
Runways 04W/22W and 08W/26W have recreational boating activities on and in the vicinity of the waterways.
Military caution: a foreign object debris hazard exists on all taxiways and runways, but especially on runway 4L/22R and taxiways north of runway 8L/26R.
Caution: Hickam Ramp taxi instructions are not valid within the PHNL Airport Operating Area, which includes taxiways A, B, portions of taxiway V south of taxiway A, and taxiway T, and all runways. Aircrews must contact HNL tower or HNL ground as directed prior to entering or while within the PHNL Airport Operating Area. Hickam Ramp will instruct all aircraft at the hazardous cargo pad adjacent to taxiway B, taxiways A1-A4, V2-V5, and PHIK ramp side portions of taxiway T and V north of taxiway A.
Arresting gear BAK-14 and BAK-12B(B) installed, located 1,500 feet from the runway end.
Arresting gear BAK-14 and BAK-12B installed, located 1,500 feet from the runway end.
Military arresting gear on runway 26R: hook cable MB100(B), located 25 feet into the overrun.
Military service arresting gear: runways 4R/22L and 8R/26L have grooved surfaces within 10 feet of the arresting gear system. Potential for fighter aircraft tail hook skip exists.
Bird strike hazard on all runways.
PCR value: 740/F/B/X/T.
PCR value: 852/F/A/X/T.
100 octane fuel is available through the FBO.
Caution: recreational boating activities occur on and in the vicinity of the waterways.
Military: all military aircraft with VIP code 7 or above must contact the 15th Wing Command Post, or relay via HF/SSB, one hour out to confirm block time.
The traffic pattern overhead altitude of 2,000 feet is restricted to HIANG and Sentry Aloha aircraft.
Military: all military aircraft requiring customs, agriculture, or immigration inspection must contact the 15th Wing Command Post, or Hickam AMCC if on an AMC mission, ahead of arrival with departure location, estimated block time, number of aircrew, civilian/military passengers, foreign nationals, and distinguished visitor codes.
Military caution: a foreign object debris hazard exists on all movement areas east of taxiway S. Fighter aircraft should exercise extreme caution when taxiing.
Military caution: no fighter transient support is available in accordance with ACC LSET flash safety 06-02. Transient fighter units should provide their own maintenance support.
Military restricted: upon arrival, crews will provide crew order/EAL to 647 SFS patrol and proceed directly to the command post at building 2050, then complete an outbound setup sheet to facilitate departure requirements.
Military/communications: during bedtime, all Coronet West tankers use frequency 311.0 for tanker-fighter inter-plane communication on launch day. After duty hours, contact 613 AOC/AMD flight management.
Military miscellaneous: weather operations are available 24 hours.
Military miscellaneous: no COMSEC material is available through Hickam Airfield Operations.
Military remarks: see FLIP AP/3 supplementary airport information, route and area restrictions, and Oakland FIR flight hazards.
Military miscellaneous: airfield operations fax available.
Military miscellaneous (1 of 2): due to sensitivities of citizens, fighter aircraft departures are authorized only from 1700 to 0700Z Monday through Saturday, and 1800 to 0700Z Sunday and holidays. All requests for waivers will be sent to the 15 OG/CC, or 154 OG/CC for HIANG aircraft, at least 5 working days in advance.
Military transient alert: the 15th Wing can provide equipment, but crews must provide their own personnel when needed.
Military restricted: all transient aircraft not on an AMC/TWCF mission, and home station aircraft terminating at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, will provide a 3-hour out call by telephone as well as a 20-30 minute out call on frequency 292.5 to the 15th Wing Command Post (KOA Control).
All jet aircraft must contact ramp control prior to engine start at the gate or hard stand.
The east end of apron taxilane 2, 360 feet, is closed.
Apron taxilane 6 between taxiway C and the south ramp is closed except for general aviation and fixed-wing loading and unloading.
Military service fuel: grade A++ available, military use only, available 24 hours.
Military miscellaneous: Hawaii Air National Guard airfield operations operate 1500 to 0300Z Monday through Friday and during unit training assembly weekends; closed Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
Military miscellaneous: all flight plans must be filed with PHNL as the destination. If the military side of the airport is the final destination, place "DESTINATION HIK" in the remarks of the flight plan. For NOTAM purposes, use the PHNL identifier.
Military restricted: if the aircraft is carrying hazardous cargo, a cargo manifest is also required. Available times to accept hazardous cargo are 0400 to 1600Z; all hazardous cargo must be coordinated with Air Mobility Operations 48 hours prior to the mission.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Daniel K Inouye International has five airfields within 48 NM. The closest is Kalaeloa (john Rodgers Fld) (PHJR), 8.43 NM west.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at PHNL
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at PHNL.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest runway at PHNL?
Daniel K Inouye International (PHNL) has two runways over 12,000 feet. Runway 08L/26R is the longest at 12,360 feet, with a width of 200 feet, and 08R/26L follows at 12,000 feet, also 200 feet wide. Both are asphalt surfaces capable of handling wide-body and four-engine turbojet traffic. A remark notes that wide-body and four-engine turbojets landing on runway 04R roll to the end of the runway, with no left turn at taxiway K without approval. Two additional water runways, 08W/26W and 04W/22W, support seaplane operations.
Is fuel confirmed as available at HNL?
Traffic-derived data lists 100, A, and A1+ fuel types at Daniel K Inouye International (HNL), though actual on-field confirmation should come from the handling agent. A separate operational remark notes that 100 octane fuel is available through the FBO. Military remarks reference an A++ grade fuel available around the clock on the military side of the field, but this applies to military users only. Civilian dispatchers should verify current fuel grade and availability directly before planning a fuel stop. Attendance at HNL is listed as continuous, all days, all hours.
Does PHNL have customs and immigration services on site?
Yes, Daniel K Inouye International (PHNL) has CBP inspection services available on site, along with a USDA compliance agreement. This makes PHNL a workable port of entry for international arrivals without requiring a diversion to a nearby customs airport. Military arrivals follow a separate process: aircraft requiring customs, agriculture, or immigration inspection must contact the 15th Wing Command Post, or Hickam AMCC if on an AMC mission, ahead of arrival with departure location, estimated block time, crew and passenger counts, foreign nationals, and distinguished visitor codes. Civilian and military customs procedures at HNL are handled through different channels.
What is the PCN pavement rating at HNL?
Daniel K Inouye International (HNL) reports two distinct PCR values in its pavement remarks: 740/F / B/X / T and 852/F / A/X / T. These figures apply to different runway or apron surfaces at the field and should be matched to the specific movement area a dispatcher is planning to use. Dispatchers running weight-bearing calculations for heavy or wide-body aircraft should confirm which pavement code applies to the runway or ramp in question before filing. The field also reports arresting gear on several runways, relevant primarily to military operations. Wide-body aircraft operators should cross-check pavement data against aircraft-specific ACN figures.
Are there bird strike or wildlife hazards reported at HNL?
Yes, Daniel K Inouye International (HNL) reports a bird strike hazard across all runways. The field also notes recreational boating activity on and in the vicinity of the waterways associated with runways 04W/22W and 08W/26W, which are water runways used for seaplane operations. Crews operating in and out of HNL should maintain vigilance for both wildlife and marine traffic near these areas. These cautions apply to all runway operations at the field, not just the water runways. No specific bird watch condition levels are noted for civilian operations, though military remarks reference bird watch condition procedures for military aircraft.