# Midway Atoll Airport Faces Closure Risk

> Midway Atoll's remote airport may close without $100m FAA upgrade.
- Title: Midway Atoll Airport Faces Closure Risk · Jalopnik | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: midway atoll, henderson field, faa, boeing, qantas, project sunrise, etops, diversion airport, cars, culture, Midway, Atoll
- Source: Jalopnik — https://jalopnik.com/2275860/midway-atoll-remote-airport-at-risk-of-closing
- Author: Ryan Erik King
- Published: 2026-10-04T13:05:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: midway atoll, henderson field, faa, boeing, qantas, project sunrise, etops, diversion airport, cars, culture
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Henderson Field's closure could force Qantas to cut 20 seats per flight on its Project Sunrise route.