Hays airport to suspend commercial flights for 21-day runway reconstruction
SkyWest and United travelers will face a three-week pause in August as crews rebuild the crosswind runway.
HAYS, Kan. — Commercial air travel at Hays Regional Airport will halt for 21 days this summer as crews undertake a major runway reconstruction project. The facility's primary runway will close Aug. 3–23 to allow heavy machinery to safely rebuild the intersecting crosswind runway and repair a deteriorating taxiway, temporarily suspending all SkyWest and United commercial flights. Airport officials have already blocked ticket bookings for those dates to prevent traveler confusion. Regular daily service — which connects northwest Kansas to major hubs including Denver — is projected to resume the morning of Aug. 24 following mandatory Federal Aviation Administration safety inspections.
The overhaul is primarily funded by a federal grant, with local airport user fees covering the remaining costs. Airport Director Jamie Salter said the upgrades are necessary to comply with FAA safety regulations and accommodate the heavier weight of modern aircraft, ensuring the long-term viability of the airfield. The crosswind runway provides an alternative flight path for pilots during hazardous weather and high-wind conditions.
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