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Welcome to the Division of Statewide Aviation

From Utqiaġvik to Adak 1500 miles to the south, aviation touches all aspects of life in rural Alaska.

map of AK overlaid on a map of the contiguous United States

AVIATION IN
ALASKA CREATES


35,000 JOBS
CONTRIBUTING
$3.8 BILLION
ACROSS
2,427,971 MI²
OF AIRSPACE

Vast spans of wilderness in the last frontier separate 82% of our communities from the road system, creating a challenge totally unique to our state. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities maintains and operates the solution to that challenge through an expansive network of 235 airports. The Division of Statewide Aviation (SWA) oversees policies, procedures, and programs to develop, construct, operate, and manage those facilities in coordination with other functional groups across the department.

82%

Of Alaska communities depend on aviation for year round access

6X

As many pilots per capita, and 16x as many aircraft

235

Airports in the rural aviation system

WHAT WE DO
  • Implement regulations and manage development pertaining to state laws concerning unmanned aircraft operations within the state.
  • Work with Alaskan Aviation stakeholders, such as the Aviation Advisory Board to promote the industry.
  • Coordinate and implement professional development of Rural Aviation staff.

Without our airports, the Alaskan way of life simply would not be possible. 402 Alaskan communities depend on aviation for year round access, where aircraft often take the place of cars, school buses, semitrucks, and ambulances.

With every flight that takes place, there is a team ensuring that the largest aviation system in the U.S.A. remains the safest.

Statewide Aviation shares the Alaska Department of Transportations and Facilities mission to: Keep Alaska Moving through Service and Infrastructure

For more detailed airport information, check out the Alaska Aviation System Plan (AASP) and select the Search AK Airports tab.