From Jalopnik · Ryan Erik King · · 1m 10s
Midway Atoll Airport Faces Closure Risk
Midway Atoll's remote airport may close without $100m FAA upgrade.
In brief
Midway Atoll's remote airport may close without $100m FAA upgrade. Henderson Field's closure could force Qantas to cut 20 seats per flight on its Project Sunrise route. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
Henderson Field at risk
Henderson Field on Midway Atoll is on the verge of closure unless the FAA undertakes a $100 million upgrade effort.
Airport history and use
Henderson Field was built in 1942 during World War II as a bomber airfield and served as a vital diversion airport for transpacific flights.
ETOPS rating requirement
Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A320neo have an ETOPS 180 rating, meaning they can't fly further than 180 minutes from a diversion airport.
Runway deterioration
Henderson Field's 7,800-foot runway is deteriorating at a rate that could lose FAA certification within five years.
Funding history
Boeing subsidized the airport with $5.5 million before 2003, when the FAA and FWS provided $2.5 million and $2.6 million annually.
Qantas Project Sunrise impact
Henderson Field's closure would force Qantas to cut 20 seats per flight on its Project Sunrise route between Sydney and London.
The takeaway
Henderson Field's closure could force Qantas to cut 20 seats per flight on its Project Sunrise route.
