Tri-Cities Airport runway closed due to sinkhole

BLOUNTVILLE — The Tri-Cities Airport temporarily closed Runway 5/23 on Tuesday due to a sinkhole. According to an initial news release, the airport closed the runway after identifying a "condition requiring evaluation and repair." The sinkhole is described as 20-foot by 20-foot by 17-foot beneath the runway surface. Repair efforts are currently underway, and the runway is expected to remain closed through Wednesday. Runway 5/23 is the long runway used for commercial flights. Gene Cossey, president and CEO of the Tri-Cities Airport Authority, said in an emailed statement to the Times News airline flights will be unable to operate until the issue is resolved. "It is up to the individual airlines rather they cancel or delay flights," Cossey said. "All passengers should check with their airline as soon as possible." Cossey said as soon as the airport completes the evaluation of the damage, it will attempt to provide the airlines with an estimate of the repair time. "The airport will work to fix this problem as quickly as possible, but we always ensure the safety of the traveling public is our primary concern, and we will ensure that the repairs are made as quickly as we can while also ensuring complete safety," he said. No timeline for reopening has been determined. The runway is expected to remain closed until necessary repairs have been completed and the runway is cleared to return to service. Runway 9/27 remains open at this time. According to the airport, additional updates will be provided as information becomes available. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, around 4:44 p.m. Tuesday stating the runway is expected to be closed until around noon Wednesday. Schedule changes American Airlines flight 4230 was diverted from landing at Tri-Cities Airport around 4:56 p.m. Tuesday to Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina — two airports nearly 200 miles apart. Tara Smith said her husband was on flight 4230 from the Dallas Forth Worth International Airport in Texas to Tri-Cities Airport when the call came in about the sinkhole. Smith said some people are trying to rent vehicles, while others are waiting to see how they can get closer to the Tri-Cities area. According to her husband, further car rentals were not available just before 7 p.m. Tuesday. "As of now, American Airlines has not offered to help [the passengers] get to where they need to go," she said. "Nor have we heard of any assistance from Tri-Cities Airport either." As of 8:59 p.m. Tuesday, The Tri-Cities Airport website reflected the following cancellations/delays: Delta Air Lines 5508 (arriving from Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for 7:13 p.m. Tuesday) - Canceled American Airlines 5940 (arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, scheduled for 8:02 p.m. Tuesday) - Canceled American Airlines 5912 (arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, scheduled for 10:12 p.m. Tuesday) - Canceled Delta Airlines 1596 (arriving from Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for 10:29 p.m. Tuesday) American Airlines 5087 (arriving from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, scheduled for 11:26 p.m. Tuesday) - Canceled American Airlines 3873 (arriving from Chicago, scheduled for 11:47 p.m.) - Canceled American Airlines 5940 (departing to Charlotte, North Carolina, scheduled for 8:27 p.m.) - Canceled Delta Airlines 5508 (departing to Atlanta, Georgia, scheduled for 7:53 p.m. Tuesday) - Canceled All arriving/departing flights at Tri-Cities Airport for the remainder of Tuesday evening were canceled, per the website. For the most recent information, visit https://flytri.com/traveler/flights/.