Komatsu Airport runway closed due to cracks

Komatsu Airport in Japan suspended runway operations on the morning of October 5 after cracks were discovered in the pavement. The cracks are reported to be approximately 40 centimeters in both length and width, with a depth of 4 centimeters.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Komatsu Airport Office closed the runway from 10:40 AM to a scheduled reopening at 3:40 PM to allow for repairs and safety inspections. The closure was initiated following a report from the nearby JASDF Komatsu Air Base.

The incident caused significant disruptions to domestic flights. Several flights connecting to Haneda, Sapporo, and Fukuoka were canceled. Additionally, some aircraft were diverted to alternative destinations, including Chubu Centrair International Airport and Toyama Airport. This follows a similar incident in February when a hole was discovered in the runway, also impacting civilian aviation.