Aviation Geek Trip Report: Chalkyitsik Airport — The Gateway to Remote Alaska
Introduction
Located deep in the Alaskan wilderness, Chalkyitsik Airport (IATA: CIK) is a crucial transportation hub to some of this state's more remote communities – all generally located within the locale of Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. The sole runway at this public airport links these remote regions to the rest of the world.
Airlines and Destinations
Currently, there is only one domestic flight to Fort Yukon (FYU) which takes 54 minutes. Chalkyitsik Airport is operated by Warbelow's Air Ventures. This 20-minute flight is over around 25 miles (41 km), and serves as an important route for the people that use it.
Pax and Flights
Chalkyitsik Airport normally has 31 flights per month, or about one a day. This tiny airport and its limited flights reveal the isolation of this part of Alaska.
How to Get Here
The airport lies in a very isolated area of Alaska, and it is rather difficult to reach Chalkyitsik Airport. The airport is located at latitude 66.64503 and longitude -143.73989, near a runway with the designation of 4/22. Pilots should check on winter conditions at the airport and listen to snow removal activities over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).
Parking
Chalkyitsik Airport has no parking available. Find other ways for getting to the airport or work it out where you get in and leave.
Transportation Price
Transportation to and from Chalkyitsik Airport costs differ with each travel type, and the distance of travel is also a consideration. Flying into a relatively rural region, you may have fewer options for transport and face steeper prices than in more populated areas.
Terminal Layout
Chalkyitsik Airport is a small single-terminal airport. The gates make sense according to the growth rate and total passenger traffic of the airport. The terminal is built for peak hours, keeping all aero-bridges at disembarkation level, while spares find their ways higher up where volume rarely ever maxes out terminal handling fares. Within the terminal building, travelers will find a range of facilities and services.
Navigate the Airport
Chalkyitsik Airport is small but quite fine for anyone. It guides the passengers to required places like check-in counters, security checkpoint, and boarding gates.
Getting Between Terminals
Chalkyitsik Airport has one terminal, as the airport is so small that passengers do not need to move between terminals. There is no separate arrivals and departures facility.
Services and Amenities
It also has the facilities required for air travel, including check-in counters and a security checkpoint as well as space for waiting passengers. However, because the airport is in a more rural area of Alaska, services and amenities are going to be much smaller than anything you would find at one of the larger metropolitan airports.
Restaurants and Shops
Dining and shopping are limited to within the terminal for passengers traveling through Chalkyitsik Airport. The local café or snack bar located at the airport is small, with basic options servicing those who live there — so proper dining here may be impossible.
Security and Customs
Travelers through Chalkyitsik Airport will be required to clear the same security measures in effect for domestic flights within Alaska. Given its service to an out-of-the-way area, security and customs might be less hectic than larger international airports.
Accessibility
Facility And Service Information For Chalkyitsik Airport Restricted Use Site / Conference Building [FL9403] Because of the small number of passengers and low traffic volume passing through its infrastructure, the staff at this airport can deliver personalized customer service assistance to passengers with special needs.
Travel Tips
Given Chalkyitsik Airport is a small facility, it's important for passengers to be well prepared before planning an arrival at either side of the flight route. The airport website is a great resource for up-to-date information on flight times, weather conditions, and transportation options.