Hilo International Airport (ITO)
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located two miles east of Hilo, on the Island of Hawaii, on its eastern shore. The airport plays host to over a million visitors a year who come to enjoy the best that the Big Island has to offer. The airport is served by interisland airlines which include Go!Mokulele, Hawaiian Airlines, and Island Air. gO!Mokulele offers flights to Honolulu while Hawaiian Airlines carries passengers to and from Honolulu and Kahului. United Airlines operates flight to and from Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airport has two runways
Getting to the airport
Hilo International Airport is located near Hilo Bay and is accessible from Highway 11 from the north or south along Hawaii Belt Road. Turn east onto Kekuanaoa Street and drive for approximately two miles to reach the airport. Public parking at Hilo International Airport includes the Cellular Telephone Waiting Area for the convenience of arriving passengers. Drivers can wait at the parking zone for up to one hour without charge. There are short and long term parking facilities in nearby lots. Each lot has automatic ticket dispensers at the entrance. Parking charges can be paid by cash or credit card.
Getting around the Hilo International Airport terminals
The General Lyman Terminal at the airport is situated at its southern tip and is the main terminal for arrivals and departures. The ticketing and baggage check in counters are located at the ground level of the terminal while arriving passengers disembark through jetways at the second level. There are escalators and elevators leading to the baggage claim area on the ground level. A restaurant, gift shop, lei stand, newsstand, and cocktail lounge located outside the passenger lounge area are open during flight schedules. Information desks are located at several areas of the terminal with staff available from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Hilo International Airport also offers a variety of other services for the convenience of passengers. This includes storage and locker facilities, a First Aid center, pet assistance, disability assistance, postal service, and more. Members of the Hawaiian Air Premier Club have privilege to the airline’s departure lounge on the first floor of the terminal. The Commuter Terminal, west of the main passenger terminal is leased by a helicopter tour company.
Transport facilities
Ground transportation options at Hilo International Airport include taxi and rent-a-car facilities. Most hotels provide free shuttle services for their guests. You will need to check with the hotel prior to making any other transport arrangements. However, there are no public shuttle services to downtown Hilo. Hilo International Airport is the ideal place to use if you desire to visit the east side of Hawaii Island.