Airstrip on Hydra Island

[lostinva]

Ok, was reading an article on another site today, and it made me remember the part where our Losties where held prisoners by the others and where building the airstrip on the hydra island? Part of me wants to think that this is a time loop in that Ben has already seen this before and just knows to build the airstrip. That would imply that we are in a loop of some kind and things keep happening over and over. Why else would they know to have to build the strip. But in all loops there has to be a beginning. Did Jacob request this built as to land Illana's team in the future? Any thoughts on how the others knew to build the airstrip?