Aviation
RSSAviation in Alaska is the network of airports, air carriers and flight operations that connect the state's communities. It includes bush pilots, air taxis and medevac flights under Part 135, commercial carriers, cargo operators, FAA oversight and rural airport infrastructure, fuel supply and safety.
Places and organizations in this news
Numbers are stories in the last 30 days.
Have a story about Aviation? Send a tip
June 2026
A plane flipped at Knik-Goose Bay, but everyone walked away uninjured
A plane flipped onto its back during a hard landing at Knik-Goose Bay on June 24, but all occupants walked away uninjured.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
A 50-year airport lease, and the federal funding line behind it
A bush-plane lease at Anchorage's airport runs exactly 50 years — not 51 — because FAA rules say a longer one could cost the airport its federal funding.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Kotzebue's backup runway is closing for construction, starting at night
In a roadless region the airport is the road. Kotzebue's bad-weather backup runway is closing for construction — nights first, then around the clock.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Pilot killed in Piper Pacer crash 40 miles southeast of Cordova
A pilot flying solo between Yakutat and Fairbanks was found dead Friday after an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter located the crashed Piper Pacer near Kanak Island, about 40 miles southeast of Cordova.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Coast Guard seeks contractor for Kodiak rescue aircraft life-support gear
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak is hiring a contractor to maintain life-support gear on rescue aircraft serving Alaska's deadliest fisheries, with proposals due June 29.
by Melinda Communities.Newsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Kenai airport eyes automated fee system amid pilot privacy backlash
Kenai Airport is moving toward an automated landing fee system using aircraft tracking data, but a federal bill co-sponsored by Senator Dan Sullivan would ban that exact use, forcing the airport to choose a different technology if the law passes.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Kenai airport cafe closes; city seeks new operator by June 25
Debbie's Bistro closed at Kenai Municipal Airport after gross receipts fell to $68,000 in a year, compared to $400,000 to $500,000 when prior restaurants operated there. The city seeks a new operator with bids due June 25.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min read
FAA adds navigation aids to Chefornak Airport under 18-year lease
The FAA is installing weather and navigation systems at Chefornak Airport in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta under an 18-year lease extension through 2044 at no cost to the state.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
More from Aviation
DOT proposes 20-year FAA deals at three rural airports, no rent
You know what they say, everything good in this life is free
by Alaska News5mo ago1 min read
Bering Air seeks Nome and Unalakleet lease updates — at the same airports the NTSB is investigating
Bering Air is seeking lease extensions at Nome and Unalakleet airports while the NTSB investigates the February 2025 crash of Flight 445 that killed 10 people, citing overweight aircraft as a major factor.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min read
Trump says China agreed to buy 200 Boeing planes, up to 750 total
Trump said China agreed to buy at least 200 Boeing planes with a promise of up to 750 total, plus 400 to 450 General Electric engines, as part of trade deals made during his Beijing visit.
by Alaska Newsadded 5mo ago1 min read
May 2026
State offers FAA two decades of free land at Allakaket Airport
Alaska DOT is offering the FAA 20 years of free land at Allakaket Airport for navigation equipment, locking out state revenue and limiting the village's ability to expand or reconfigure the runway through 2046.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago1 min read
DOT&PF seeks airport land amendments in Koyukuk, St. Marys, Central, Chalkyitsik
Alaska Department of Transportation posted airport land notices in May 2026 for Koyukuk, St. Marys, Central, and Chalkyitsik. Check the state online public notices system for comment deadlines and full terms.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago1 min readFAA proposes $165,000 fine against Alaska Airlines over intoxicated passengers
FAA fined Alaska Airlines $165,000 for letting intoxicated passengers board 11 flights. The airline has 30 days to pay, negotiate, or request a hearing.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago1 min read
Alutiiq Air ends Kenai service; airport eyes Fox Air contract
Alutiiq Air stopped flying to Kenai, leaving Grant Aviation as sole carrier. City pursuing Fox Air contract pending investigation of citizen complaint. Main runway closed three weeks for repairs, operations on temporary runway pending FAA approvals. Terminal cafe closing May 23, seeking new operator by July 1.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago2 min read
Alaska Proposes $4.4 Billion Synthetic Aviation Fuel Refinery Using Beetle-Killed Trees
Alaska plans $4.4 billion refinery to make 150 million gallons of jet fuel yearly from beetle-killed trees. • Fischer-Tropsch technology costs $4.85 per gallon, cheaper than cooking oil methods. • State imports most aviation fuel despite handling 700 cargo flights weekly through Anchorage. • Federal energy office offers $289 billion in lending authority for qualified projects.
by Bill AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago3 min read
Coming up
Study Advisory Committee Meeting: Ted Stevens International Airport Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study - Study Advisory Committee Meeting
Coast Inn at Lake Hood, 3450 Aviation Ave, Anchorage, AK 99502
Meeting
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Public Open House
Meeting
Applications or written comments due: ADA-72935 Proposal to Permit Use of State Airport Land at McCarthy Airport
Public notice
Written comments due: ADA-08421 Proposal to Extend a State Airport Land Lease at Togiak Airport
Public notice
Applications or written comments due: ADA-72964 Proposal to Issue a Boundary Crossing Permit at Valdez Airport
Public notice
About Aviation
Aviation in Alaska is the network of airports, air carriers and flight operations that links the state's communities, many of which have no road connection. It takes in bush pilots, air taxis and medevac flights operating under Part 135, commercial and cargo carriers, seaplane bases and rural airstrips.
The Federal Aviation Administration oversees airspace, control towers, instrument approaches and navigation equipment, and the National Transportation Safety Board investigates crashes. Recurring questions concern small plane crashes and rescues, aviation fuel supply where one vendor serves an airport, landing and fuel fees, and leases and construction at airports. Federal subsidies keep scheduled flights going to some roadless communities.
Airport boards, city councils and the state transportation department make many decisions at airports such as Juneau, Kenai and Palmer. Aviation connects to transportation and tourism, and to the North Slope oil fields, where the Deadhorse airport supports field work.
More from Aviation
Generations Southeast brings CDL simulator training to Juneau, Prince of Wales
Generations Southeast installed virtual driving simulators in Juneau and Klawock so residents can train for commercial driver licenses without leaving Southeast Alaska.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
April 2026
Airport firefighting trucks fail, leaving Juneau one flat tire from losing all flights
Juneau's airport nearly lost all commercial flights this month when two firefighting trucks failed simultaneously, leaving it dependent on a borrowed truck from Gustavus that must return by May 1.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Alaska Airlines Pilots Raise Concerns Over Hawaiian Merger Integration
Alaska Airlines pilots worry the Hawaiian merger will delay their access to widebody aircraft, as seniority list integration begins following Hawaiian's flight code retirement on April 22.
by Alaska News6mo ago2 min read
