02/21/2026
Kenai Airport Master Plan Update Focuses On Runway, Taxiway, And Long-Term Growth
Author: Peyton Hernandez | February 20, 2026
A public meeting was held on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Kenai City Council Chambers to provide an update on the Kenai Municipal Airport Master Plan, which outlines potential upgrades to the runway, taxiways, aprons, airfield safety systems, and navigation aids, and guides long-term airport growth through 2040.
Project developers have already completed the first phase, which focused on reconnaissance, evaluation, and assessment.
The project team also conducted a full inventory of the airport, analyzed airfield capacity, forecasted aviation activity through 2040, and gathered input from stakeholders and the public.
The groundwork helped identify current operational needs and areas for future improvement.
“We’re about halfway through the master plan itself,” said Erik Jordt, project manager with HDL Engineering Consultants, LLC. “We took everybody’s input from interviews and public comments and put together alternatives showing different areas of development throughout the airfield.”
Phase 2
The project is currently in Phase 2, focused on developing preliminary alternatives, evaluating options, and updating the Airport Master Plan (AMP) and Layout Plan (ALP); actual runway and airfield construction is scheduled separately for 2026
“We’re still thinking we’re going to be able to get this done in one season. As long as the weather works out, we’re feeling like we’ll be starting in mid-May and being done by the middle of October,” said Jordt.
The goal of this phase is to select a preferred alternative that balances public input with technical and operational requirements. Later steps will include planning the implementation of these improvements, summarizing and publishing the updated AMP, and updating the ALP.
Runway 02L/20R will undergo full-depth pavement removal and replacement, along with upgrades to runway and taxiway edge lighting, guard lights, signage, pavement markings, and drainage.
Improvements to navigational aids will include REILs, PAPIs, and supplemental wind cones.
Starting in spring, Runway 02L/20R will be closed 24 hours a day through the summer and fall for rehabilitation, with peak construction activity in the summer. Parallel Taxiway A will serve as a temporary 75-foot by 6,025-foot runway.
The gravel runway will remain open.
Jordt said special instrument procedures are being developed for the temporary runway to ensure aircraft can operate beyond visual flight rules during the closure.
Separate apron pavement crack sealing and repairs will occur under a different contract, largely at night, to avoid disrupting daytime operations. Contractors will be required to maintain access for air carriers, FedEx operations, and emergency response, including wildfire activity on the north apron.
Development Alternatives
Four preliminary development alternatives have been drafted based on aviation forecasts, facility requirements, and public input.
Forecasts show total annual airport operations rising from about 66,763 in 2023 to more than 102,000 by 2040. Passenger enplanements are projected to grow from roughly 67,000 to nearly 82,000, with the number of based aircraft increasing from 46 to 62.
“Several alternatives focus on correcting identified taxiway ‘hotspots,’ including the complex four-way intersection,” said Jordt.
Alternative 1, the “No Build” option, would maintain the airport largely as it exists today, carrying forward only minimal changes such as acquiring recommended navigation easements to protect runway approach zones. This alternative serves as a baseline to compare the impacts and benefits of more extensive development options.
Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 propose a range of improvements to address operational, safety, and growth needs.
All three address identified taxiway “hotspots,” including the complex four-way intersection near Taxiways F, J, A, and G.
Proposed changes include reconfiguring taxiways, removing direct apron-to-runway access that does not meet current FAA design standards, adding a midfield exit taxiway requested by the control tower, and constructing a dedicated run-up area.
Alternatives 2 and 3 propose expanded commercial lease lots, additional general aviation tie-down spaces, and improvements to floatplane basin functionality, while only Alternative 3 includes relocating the gravel runway west of the main runway to open extra commercial development space.
Finally, Alternative 4 examines long-term growth scenarios, including potential jet service with aircraft such as a Boeing 737 MAX 8 or Embraer E175. This option considers terminal expansion, additional vehicle and baggage handling capacity, TSA screening requirements, and an increased aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARF) index to safely accommodate larger commercial aircraft.
Each alternative is designed to balance current operational needs with anticipated future growth, and public feedback will help determine which combination of improvements becomes the preferred approach.
Looking ahead, summer 2027 is set to address improvements to the airport perimeter fence and gates. Summer 2028 is estimated to address Taxiway A rehabilitation.
The public can submit comments on the AMP through March 19 in person or online at kenaiamp.com.
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