Introduction
Located on the Baldwin Peninsula in Alaska's Northwest Arctic region, Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (IATA: OTZ; ICAO: PAOT) is a gateway to Kotzebue and its surrounding communities. This midsized facility serves an important connection for residents and visitors to the vast landscapes of northern Alaska, as the busiest general aviation airport in our state.
Airlines and Destinations
Currently, there are 12 domestic flights from Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (OTZ). The longest flight is between Kotzebue and Anchorage that takes around 1 hour. Alaska Airlines is the main airline serving Kotzebue, and offers daily service to/from Anchorage.
It covers passengers as well as the number of flights.
In recent years, annual passenger traffic has crept up over 2.5 million total travelers at Ralph Wien Memorial Airport. These two runways, 9/27 and 18/36, have helped keep a predictable flight schedule, allowing for countering delays to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in the area.
How to Get Here
Getting to Ralph Wien Memorial Airport is easy via daily flights out of Anchorage on Alaska Airlines. Most people headed to the nearby Kobuk Valley National Park fly into Kotzebue, and from there they catch a small bush plane for their last leg of arrival.
Parking
Airports in the area offer various options for parking onsite, making it easy and safe to leave your ride behind when you do some exploring.
Transportation Prices
Prices to and from Ralph Wien Memorial Airport differ depending on the specific flights. However, it can offer various types of transport, including a taxi, shuttle, and car rental facilities.
Terminal Layout
Ralph Wien Memorial Airport has two passenger terminal buildings connected by a tunnel for easy pedestrian access. One terminal is the largest with a passenger check-in/baggage building, and the other, much smaller, is specifically designated for air cargo operations and offices.
Navigate the Airport
Ralph Wien Memorial Airport is a reasonably easy airport to navigate with its two runways and relatively small size. It also has several signs to guide passengers to the correct locations.
Getting Between Terminals
The quick pedestrian tunnel between the two terminal buildings is likely to be the most commonly used and most convenient method for passengers to get from one location to another.
Services and Amenities
Ralph Wien Memorial Airport has minimal amenities and gifts within the premises. For all other shopping and dining opportunities, passengers should look around Kotzebue.
Restaurants and Shops
There isn't any current restaurant within the premises. There is, however, a gift shop where passengers can grab a snack or drink. For all shopping and dining options, passengers can look in Kotzebue.
Security and Customs
Since this airport is local, it does not have a specific customs facility. All passengers leaving the U.S. have to clear customs on their respective flight's departure point.
Accessibility
The airport is small and flat enough that it's decently simple to navigate around with mobility constraints. Help is available for those who need it, and the facilities are equipped to accommodate all passenger needs.
Travel Tips
In preparing for our time in Kotzebue and the surrounding region, it was vital that we understood the distinct demands of traveling to or living within this part of arctic Alaska. By packing warm, weatherproof clothing and being open to changes in plans, tourists stand the best chance of not having their good time ruined by just a little bad weather.