Kalaupapa Airport (IATA: LUP, ICAO: PHLU) is a small, state-owned public-use airport that serves as the primary air gateway to the remote Kalaupapa Peninsula on the island of Moloka'i, Hawaii. Its role is unique and critical, providing the main transportation link for the few remaining residents, National Park Service staff, and the limited number of daily visitors to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park.
- Unique and Remote Experience: Travelers appreciate the opportunity to visit Kalaupapa, a place with significant historical importance, even if it's just a brief stopover. The airport itself is described as small and open-air, allowing the "warm Hawaiian breeze" to blow through.
- Minimal Security and Easy Check-in: There is no TSA at Kalaupapa Airport, and check-in is described as easy. Passengers' IDs are checked, carry-ons weighed, and approximate body weight is requested for weight and balance calculations on the small aircraft.
- Pilot-Assigned Seating for Safety: Due to the small size of the aircraft, pilots assign seats based on weight and balance, a practice that contributes to the perceived safety of the flight.
- Accessibility for Passengers with Limited Mobility: One traveler was impressed by the airline's ability to handle wheelchairs and passengers with limited mobility, using an ADA ramp into the cargo door, which is notable for small aircraft operations.
- Strict Access Restrictions: Visitors are not allowed to leave the airport area without an escort and require written permission from the government to stay in Kalaupapa. Without a special permit, non-locals cannot wander around the peninsula,. Children under 16 are not allowed to enter Kalaupapa.
- Limited Ability to Explore: Even with a connection through Kalaupapa, travelers are generally not allowed to leave the plane or the airport to explore the area,.
- Uncertainty of Stopovers: While some flights are scheduled to stop at Kalaupapa, there have been suggestions that flights might not always stop, though a pilot confirmed that scheduled stops for "this line" (referring to specific flights) do occur.
- No Standard Boarding Passes: Passengers are called by name for boarding, as there are no boarding passes.
- Sources researched: airlinegeeks.com, pointswithacrew.com, airports.hawaii.gov, cestee.com*
Bottom line: Kalaupapa Airport offers a truly unique and highly regulated travel experience, primarily serving as a gateway for those with special permits or as a brief connection point. While the lack of typical airport amenities and strict access are notable, the efficiency of operations for its specific purpose and the opportunity to briefly experience a historic location are appreciated by travelers.
Routes from LUP
2 nonstop destinations · 1 airline.
Airlines at LUP
1 carrier operate scheduled departures.
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Airport routes
Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) offers 2 flight routes operated by 1 airline. Major carriers include Southern Airways Express and others. Popular destinations from Kalaupapa include Molokai, Daniel K Inouye Intl.
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Common questions about LUP
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from LUP?
Kalaupapa Airport has 2 scheduled routes to 2 destinations in 1 countries, operated by 1 airlines.
Which airlines fly from Kalaupapa Airport?
1 carriers operate scheduled departures, including Southern Airways Express.
Where is Kalaupapa Airport located?
Kalaupapa Airport is located in Kalaupapa, US, at an elevation of 24 ft. Its IATA code is LUP and ICAO code is PHLU.