Airport adds lanes to speed security checks

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer

In an effort to cut down the time passengers spend in line to pass through security checkpoints, the state has opened two additional security lanes in the international section of Honolulu International Airport.

The extra checkpoints will help reduce the wait for the estimated 30,000 Japanese visitors who are expected to be heading home following the Honolulu Marathon, said Scott Ishikawa, state Department of Transportation spokesman.

"Last year, after the marathon, the wait was 1 1/2 to 2 hours long at the security checkpoint," Ishikawa said. "We understand that that kind of wait won't bring back visitors."

The wait in the international departures section should now be about 20 minutes, Ishikawa said.

There are now 17 checkpoints leading to the passenger gates. Five of the checkpoints have opened since July.

They include six security checkpoint lanes at the interisland terminal, 10 at the overseas terminal and one at the small commuter terminal, Ishikawa said.

The extra lanes are part of a $14 million project to build security checkpoints and expand the Duty Free Shoppers space. The project is expected to be completed next year, he said.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.