# OTZ — Ralph Wien Memorial Airport

> Machine-readable reference for OTZ. Single-airport scope. Re-fetch when content_generated_at changes.

Canonical: https://airport.flights/airport/otz
HTML page: https://airport.flights/airport/otz
Markdown alt: https://airport.flights/airport/otz.md
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/OTZ.json (includes live arrivals + weather)
Sitemap: https://airport.flights/sitemap-airports.xml
Last refreshed: 2026-06-04T09:32:23.667+00:00

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## Identity

- Name: Ralph Wien Memorial Airport
- IATA: OTZ
- ICAO: PAOT
- City: Kotzebue
- Country: US (US)
- Timezone: America/Nome
- Distance from city: 1 mi S of city center
- Runways: 2
- Terminals: 1
- Official website: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/airports/alaska/kotzebue/ralph-wien-memorial

## Overview

Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (OTZ) is the primary aviation gateway for Kotzebue and the wider Northwest Arctic region of Alaska, providing essential year-round air links for communities that are not connected by road. Located on the south side of Kotzebue on the Baldwin Peninsula, the state-owned public-use airport supports scheduled passenger service, vital cargo operations, and medical, mail, and governmental flights that sustain daily life in this remote part of the state. The airport handles on the order of tens of thousands of passengers per year and functions as a regional lifeline for residents, workers, and visitors moving between Anchorage, other major Alaskan hubs, and smaller village airstrips. Named in honor of pioneer bush pilot Ralph Wien, who died in a crash near Kotzebue in the 1930s, the airport reflects Alaska’s long history of bush flying and reliance on air transport. Today it is served primarily by Alaska Airlines and regional carriers such as Bering Air, with flights that connect to Anchorage and to numerous remote communities across Northwest Alaska. With two paved runways able to accommodate both jet and turboprop aircraft, Ralph Wien Memorial Airport plays a…

## Terminals (1)

- **Main Terminal** — 3 gates · airlines: Alaska Airlines, Bering Air
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/otz/terminals/main

## Parking (1)

- **Main Airport Parking Lot** — Surface lot · Adjacent to terminal
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/otz/parking/main-airport-parking-lot

## Ground transport (5)

- **Hotel Courtesy Vehicles** — Shuttle · 5-10 min to local lodging · Coordinated with reservations
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/otz/transport/hotel-courtesy-vehicles
- **Hotel or Lodge Shuttle (pre-arranged)** — Shuttle · 5–10 minutes · Often included with lodging or modest fee · By reservation aligned with flight times
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/otz/transport/hotel-or-lodge-shuttle-pre-arranged-2
- **Local Taxi Companies** — Taxi · 5-10 min to downtown Kotzebue · On demand
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/otz/transport/local-taxi-companies
- **Local Taxi Service** — Taxi · 5–10 minutes to most of Kotzebue · Variable, typically a short local fare · On demand; may require phone call from the terminal
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/otz/transport/local-taxi-service
- **Walk or Pre-arranged Ride** — Rideshare · 15–25 minutes on foot, shorter by car · Free to walk or fuel/share costs for local ride · As arranged
    URL: https://airport.flights/airport/otz/transport/walk-or-pre-arranged-ride-3

## Insider tips

- _Weather_: Kotzebue experiences extreme Arctic weather, so in winter expect strong winds, snow, and frequent low visibility; allow extra buffer time for potential delays and dress in full cold-weather gear before deplaning, as you may walk on the ramp between aircraft and terminal.
- _Connections_: If you are connecting between a mainline Alaska Airlines flight and a smaller regional carrier, keep in mind that schedules can be affected by village weather; plan longer layovers and verify same-day connections at the counter on arrival, especially during stormy seasons.
- _Local_: The airport is close to town, but formal ground transportation is limited; many travelers coordinate a ride with their hotel or local contacts in advance, as taxis may not always be waiting at every arrival, particularly on late-night or off-peak flights.
- _Packing_: Because this is a remote airport with limited services, carry essential medications, snacks, and a charged phone or power bank in your carry-on in case weather disruptions extend your time at the airport.

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## Live data

Live arrivals, departures, and weather are not in this static reference. Fetch:
- https://airport.flights/api/airport/OTZ.json — JSON with current live boards + weather (12h cache)
- https://airport.flights/airport/otz/arrivals — HTML page with live arrivals
- https://airport.flights/airport/otz/departures — HTML page with live departures