# Yakutat Airport (YAK)

> Yakutat, US · 3 mi SE of city center

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/yak
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/yak.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: YAK
- **ICAO**: PAYA
- **Timezone**: America/Yakutat
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Official site**: https://dot.alaska.gov/yakutatairport

## Overview

Yakutat Airport (IATA: YAK, ICAO: PAYA) is a state-owned public-use airport serving the remote community of Yakutat on Alaska's Gulf Coast. Located about three nautical miles (six kilometers) southeast of the central business district, it is one of the community's primary lifelines, as Yakutat has no road connections to the rest of Alaska. Airline service here is supported under the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program, ensuring residents have reliable access to larger hubs for medical travel, cargo, and passenger needs.

The airport dates back to the late 1940s and has evolved into a modest but vital facility with two paved runways capable of handling regional jets and turboprops. Alaska Airlines is the primary scheduled carrier, typically providing linkages to major Alaskan cities such as Juneau and Anchorage, while charter and general aviation flights support fishing, tourism, and local industry. With no control tower, operations are conducted under non-towered procedures, and weather can be a significant factor given Yakutat's coastal location and frequent low ceilings. Despite its small size, Yakutat Airport plays an outsized role in the regional aviation network, connecting a remote fishing and tourism community to the broader state and beyond.

## Terminals (1)

- **Main Terminal** — 2 gates · Alaska Airlines
  A single small terminal handles all commercial passenger operations for Yakutat.

## Parking (1)

- **Airport Public Parking Lot** — Surface lot · Adjacent to terminal

## Ground transport (4)

- **Hotel and Lodge Courtesy Shuttles** — Shuttle · 5-15 min to local lodges · Coordinated with flight arrivals
  Many fishing lodges and accommodations, such as Yakutat Lodge, arrange complimentary or paid transfers for their guests and meet Alaska Airlines flights by prior arrangement.
- **Local Taxi Companies** — Taxi · 5-10 min to Yakutat town center · On demand
  Taxis should be pre-booked or arranged in advance, as this is a small rural airport with limited on-site dispatch.
- **Local Taxi / Prearranged Car** — Taxi · 5–10 minutes to town · Varies; confirm when booking · On demand / prearranged
- **Lodge or Hotel Shuttle** — Shuttle · 5–15 minutes depending on property · Often included with stay or modest fee · Coordinated with flight arrivals

## Insider tips

- _Weather_: Yakutat often experiences coastal fog, rain, and low ceilings, so build extra buffer time into your plans and monitor Alaska Airlines or FAA weather cameras for potential delays or diversions.
- _Connections_: Because flights are limited and often route via Juneau or Anchorage, avoid tight connections on separate tickets—schedule generous layovers when linking Yakutat flights to long-haul itineraries.
- _Local_: Confirm ground transport with your lodge or hotel in advance; in this small community, taxis and local shuttles are limited and often operate on a prearranged basis, especially outside peak fishing season.