Thousands of Tourists Stranded Across Hawaii in the US as 35 Flights Canceled at Kahului, Kona, Hilo, and Lihue Airports, Affecting Airlines Like United, Delta, Alaska, and More, Sparking New Travel Frenzy

Thousands of tourists are stranded in Hawaii in the US because 35 flights have been cancelled at the major airfields including Kahului, Kona, Hilo and Lihue, which came after a tsunami warning caused by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia. The powerful tremor triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, disrupting travel in a bid to prevent passengers from being stranded and causing some airlines to cancel flights in the interest of passenger safety. Travelers are in a scramble to find alternate routes or accommodation after this surprise move, leading to chaos at the airports. So much so that luckily flights have started operating again and the tsunami threat is over and normal airport service is slowly being restored.

Thousands of tourists have been stranded across Hawaii in the US as 35 flights were canceled and several others delayed due to a tsunami alert triggered by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s coast. Major Hawaiian airports including Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA), Hilo (ITO), and Lihue (LIH) experienced widespread disruptions, with United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Delta Air Lines among the hardest hit. At Kahului, United Airlines canceled 4 flights (25%) and delayed 1 (6%), while Hawaiian Airlines saw 4 cancellations (14%) and 4 delays (5%). In Kona, Delta canceled 3 flights (13%) and delayed 1 (4%), while Alaska Airlines had 2 cancellations (25%) and 1 delay (12%). Lihue also saw 1 cancellation (12%) and 1 delay (6%) from Alaska Airlines. These disruptions caused chaos for travelers trying to either depart or arrive, but operations have now resumed as the tsunami threat has subsided and the alert was lifted.

Tsunami Alert Triggers Flight Cancellations

The tsunami alert was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center following a strong earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. The quake, which struck earlier today, triggered warnings for coastal regions across the Pacific, including Hawaii. In response, airlines grounded flights and airports scrambled to enforce safety measures, leading to the cancellation of multiple flights, both inbound and outbound.

The threat of a tsunami, although it has not materialized into a major event, has caused enough concern to disrupt daily air traffic, especially in Hawaii, which is located in a tsunami-prone zone. As a result, airlines like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and others were forced to cancel flights to and from the islands.

Major Hawaiian Airports Affected

Several of Hawaii’s busiest airports are experiencing significant disruptions:

• Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui saw major cancellations, with several flights delayed or grounded due to the tsunami threat. United Airlines canceled 4 flights (25%) and Hawaiian Airlines canceled 4 flights (14%). Passengers were forced to wait in long lines as airlines worked to accommodate those stranded by the cancellations.
• Kona (KOA) and Hilo (ITO) airports on the Big Island were also heavily impacted, with Delta Air Lines canceling 3 flights (13%) at Kona and Alaska Airlines canceling 2 flights (25%). Many travelers were left in limbo due to these disruptions.
• Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai was similarly affected, with United Airlines canceling several inbound flights as a precautionary measure. Alaska Airlines canceled 1 flight (12%) and delayed another (6%) at Lihue.
• Even Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, while not the epicenter of cancellations, faced delays that had a ripple effect throughout the state.

Airlines Affected by the Cancellations

Several major airlines have had to ground flights in the wake of the tsunami warning:

• United Airlines has canceled numerous flights from Kahului, Kona, and Lihue airports, leaving many passengers frustrated and stranded at terminals.
• Hawaiian Airlines, which operates a significant portion of flights to and from Hawaii, suspended operations from airports in Maui and the Big Island as a safety measure.
• Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines were also forced to cancel flights, further adding to the confusion at the island’s airports.
• International carriers such as Jetstar and WestJet had their flights grounded, impacting travelers arriving from outside the US.

Travel Frenzy Ensues

The sudden wave of flight cancellations has created a travel frenzy, with thousands of tourists now stranded across the islands. Many of those hoping to return home or continue their vacations have been forced to wait for alternative flights or accommodations, all while dealing with airport chaos.

Airport terminals have been flooded with frustrated passengers, some of whom are unable to secure immediate lodging due to full hotels and booked accommodations. Long lines at airline counters, combined with crowded waiting areas, have added to the tension, as travelers try to make last-minute arrangements in the wake of the cancellations.

Safety Measures and Airport Operations

While the tsunami threat has been downgraded to an advisory, the air travel disruptions are expected to persist as airlines and airports continue to navigate the fallout. Hawaiian Airlines and other major carriers have issued statements urging passengers to stay informed about flight updates and delays. Airlines are working to reschedule flights, but given the high volume of affected passengers, rebooking flights may take time.

Local authorities in Hawaii are also on high alert, ensuring that safety measures are in place to deal with any potential aftershocks or further seismic activity. For now, the threat of a major tsunami has been deemed unlikely, but authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

What Travelers Should Do Next

For those with travel plans to or from Hawaii, it is crucial to stay updated. Passengers should check airline websites and mobile apps regularly for updates on their flight status. Many airlines are offering waivers for those who need to change or reschedule their flights due to the cancellations.

Travelers should also prepare for potential extended delays and consider alternative accommodation options if they are stranded. Staying patient and maintaining close communication with the airlines is key to navigating the current disruptions.

Thousands of tourists have been stranded across Hawaii in the US as 35 flights were canceled at major airports including Kahului, Kona, Hilo, and Lihue, due to a tsunami alert triggered by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia. Flights have now resumed as the tsunami threat has subsided and the alert was lifted.

The tsunami alert caused by the earthquake off the coast of Russia has had a significant impact on Hawaii’s travel industry, with 35 flights canceled at major Hawaiian airports. While the tsunami threat has since subsided, the ripple effects continue to disrupt travel, leaving thousands of tourists stranded across the islands. United, Hawaiian, Delta, Alaska, and other airlines are working to accommodate stranded passengers, but delays and cancellations will continue to affect travelers for the foreseeable future.

The travel frenzy caused by the tsunami warning serves as a stark reminder of how quickly unforeseen events can alter travel plans, highlighting the importance of staying informed during such emergencies.