Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
ALASKA AVIATION SYSTEM PLAN
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Alaska's Aviation System

Aviation is a vital component of Alaska's transportation system. Whether living in Anchorage or a small community in the Aleutians, air service is the lifeline that connects all Alaskans to other communities in the state, the Lower 48, and the world.  Alaska's airports serve the transportation needs of state residents, support the movement of materials and goods, contribute substantially to the economy, and enable delivery of critical medical services.  Over 700 facilities are registered in the State of Alaska, with the State of Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) owning and operating 237 facilities statewide.  Nearly 82% of Alaska communities are inaccessible by road, making aviation more than a convenience or a luxury - aviation is essential in the Alaskan way of life.

The Alaska Aviation System Plan

Alaska DOT&PF's mission is to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across the state as well as delivery of essential services through the development, maintenance, operation, and management of Alaska's airport system.  A sensible and adaptable statewide aviation system plan that recognizes Alaska's dependence on aviation, unique operating environment, lack of basic infrastructure, financial constraints, and regional diversity is important.

To assist with the Department's mission, the Alaska DOT&PF Division of Statewide Aviation launched the Alaska Aviation System Plan (AASP). The AASP sets the vision for the Alaska aviation network by addressing Alaska's aviation infrastructure and policy needs. The plan will:

  • Identify airport improvements needed
  • Set priorities for funding
  • Propose aviation policy
  • Document the existing system with photos, maps, and data
  • Continuously support the system through special studies, updates, and reviews as the system evolves

The Alaska Aviation System Plan is guided by the FAA (AC No. 150/5070-7 The Airport System Planning Process) and is a key component of the DOT&PF's Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan.

 

 

  • Economy
    The aviation industry in Alaska supported almost 7.8% of 2017 statewide annual employment - nearly 35,000 jobs.
  • Economy
    Alaskan's fly 8 times as often as residents of Pacific Northwest and Northern Mountain states.
  • Economy
    At least 39 times more freight per capital travels through Alaska's airports than airports in comparable Pacific Northwest and Northern Mountain states.
  • Economy
    In the peak summer season of 2016, an estimated 1.85 million people visited Alaska. That's more than twice the state's population!
  • Scale
    By air, Anchorage is located within nine hours of 90 percent of the industrialized world.
  • Scale
    Alaska has 2,427,971 square miles of airspace.
  • Scale
    Alaska has the largest aviation system in North America.
  • Scale
    Alaska has over 8,000 active pilots, 9,000 registered aircraft and 300 air carriers.
  • Scale
    Alaska has over 750 recorded landing areas (public, private, and military).
  • Scale
    Over 300 certified air carriers provide commercial and on-demand services across the state.
  • Alaska Geography
    How big is Alaska? North to south = 1,500 miles!
  • Alaska Geography
    Alaska has 586,412 square miles of land.
  • Did you know?
    Alaska has a commercial space port, located in Kodiak.
  • Did you know?
    The number of enplanements (5.1 million) in Alaska is 7.1x the state population compared to 2.6x the U.S. population for all states.
  • Did you know?
    Lake Hood seaplane base (LHD) is the largest and busiest seaplane base in the world and the only one with primary airport status in the U.S.
  • Did you know?
    In 2017, federal airport improvement program funding contributed over $220 million to Alaska and nearly 2,600 jobs.