Tri‑Cities Runway Expected To Reopen After Sinkhole

Crews at Tri‑Cities Airport in Blountville have pumped concrete into a large void under the main runway and are now waiting for it to cure, with officials expecting Runway 5/23 to be back in service Thursday morning. The closure has scrambled commercial schedules and forced airlines to cancel or reshuffle multiple departures over the past two days, and travelers are being urged to check flight statuses and consider ground options while inspections wrap up.

According to Tri‑Cities Airport, crews discovered the problem on Tuesday and found an opening beneath Runway 5/23 that required immediate attention. The airport reports that concrete has been poured into the cavity and staff are now "monitoring the curing process" as they prepare for final inspections and evaluations. Officials are clear that the runway will not reopen until all repairs and checks are finished, and they caution that the Thursday timeline could shift depending on inspection results.

What crews found

Local coverage has described the underground opening as roughly 20 feet by 20 feet and about 17 feet deep, a cavity big enough to jeopardize the pavement above. WVLT reported that crews finished filling the sinkhole Wednesday night and that engineers were still checking for any additional damage beneath the surface.

Flights, cancellations and where to go

At least a dozen flights were canceled soon after the runway was taken out of service, leaving passengers to sort out rebookings or refunds with their airlines, Spectrum News1 reported. The outlet noted that the shorter crosswind runway, 9/27, has remained open, but its limited length restricts which aircraft can safely use it, which only amplified the disruption when the primary runway shut down. Travelers are advised to check directly with their carrier for the latest updates and options.

Ground options for stranded travelers

Local shuttle companies quickly jumped in to help passengers while the main runway was closed, and one operator told WATE it had been running people to hubs including Charlotte, Knoxville and Asheville since Tuesday night. That company said rides to the airport cost about $45 and that it had multiple vehicles and drivers available to get travelers to flights or other terminals. Those with flexible plans have been opting for cars and shuttles until the airport gives a final all‑clear.

Why runway size matters

Tri‑Cities operates with two runways: the primary Runway 5/23 is roughly 8,000 feet long, while crosswind Runway 9/27 runs about 4,400 to 4,500 feet, a significant difference that limits which jets and heavier general‑aviation aircraft can use the shorter strip. That size gap helps explain why taking 5/23 offline caused so much trouble for scheduled departures and larger aircraft, according to aviation data compiled by GlobalAir. Airport operators note that thorough safety checks after structural repairs are standard procedure before any runway returns to service.

The airport says it will keep posting updates as crews finish inspections, and it reiterated that decisions about flight schedules, delays and cancellations rest with each individual airline. For official advisories and the latest newsroom posts, visit Tri‑Cities Airport or check with your carrier directly. Officials continue to stress that safety comes first as teams complete final evaluations and prepare to clear the runway for operations.