Hillsboro Airport Safety Risks

Hillsboro Airport Lead in Close Calls, Safety Risks in the Northwest

HILLSBORO, Ore.—The Hillsboro Airport leads the Pacific Northwest in runway incursions, which are close calls or safety risks on airport runways, according to Federal Aviation Administration data.

The FAA tracks and regulates runway incursions, calling them one of the agency's "highest safety priorities," making sure pilots don't enter or exit a runway at the wrong time.

"When that happens, there is a risk of collision with other aircraft that may be landing or departing on that runway, that could result in injury or fatalities," said Hassan Shahidi, the president and CEO of Flight Safety Foundation, a independent organization that advocates for aviation safety.

While most airports report a low number of runway incursions annually—Portland International Airport reported three over the past three years—the Hillsboro Airport (HIO) reported 30 runway incursions between February 2022 and February 2023.

"Anytime you see some of these numbers there should be concern," Shahidi said.