Nome Airport

Nome Airport: The Doorway to Alaska's Wild Northwest

Introduction

The main gateway for people, cargo, and information in Nome sits on Alaska's west coast at the city's Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (OME), also named after renowned bush pilots like the Weins who pioneered aviation over huge areas of roadless wilderness throughout the last century. This mid-size airport serves as a regional hub with scheduled passenger service to major hubs Seattle, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, and connections abundantly available at these cities for many destinations across North America. Nome's airport is the unlikely multitasking transport hub for two modern runways suitable for jet airliners, plentiful helicopter traffic, and an old Cold War missile launch site. It continues to operate flights serving Alaska and the Lower 48 even as communities across western Alaska grapple with melting permafrost infrastructure.

Airlines and Destinations

Nome Airport (OME) has 15 flights per week at this moment. The longest flight from Yakutat (YAK) is a 333-mile (536 km) non-stop route to Anchorage (ANC) that takes around 1 hour and 31 minutes. Other key destinations are Fairbanks, Juneau, and Seattle. Airlines such as Alaska Airlines and branches of Ravn Air offer connections to the broader system.

Consequently, there are now 110 passengers and departures.

Nome Airport is one of 15 airports in Alaska that offers reports to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stating it has more than 10,000 boardings per year and thus is considered a primary commercial service airport. This month, there are 518 flights heading for this airport, which is -40.7% compared to last year and +32.8% reverse in a week and +18.9% relocate at times. The most popular routes are from Shishmaref (SHH) and Anchorage (ANC).

How to Get Here

By air is the most common and practical way to get to Nome. Name: Nome Airport; Location: serves as the regional transportation hub in northwest Alaska; Accessible by air from Anchorage. There are no direct flights from Fairbanks to Nome, so travelers will need to fly from Fairbanks out of Anchorage. It is also served by the major carrier Alaska Airlines.

Parking

The Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), Olson Air Service, is located at the airport and offers a variety of services including: fueling, pilot lounge with complimentary refreshments, and restrooms. The airport also has a variety of local parking options; the price starts from $2.75 per day!

Transportation Prices

Transportation: Each way from Nome Airport varies by mode. For an arrangement, fares of city taxis can range from $5 to $15, and shuttle services may be worth around $10 to $20 per head. In addition, you can rent a car for roughly $50 per day.

Terminal Layout

The terminal building at Nome Airport is used for both departures and arrivals. The terminal has check-in counters, security screening, and boarding gates to get on the plane. Space is tight, but wayfinding signage and maps seem to guide passengers around the facility.

Navigate the Airport

When you get to Nome Airport, passengers can navigate the terminal by following the well-positioned signage throughout the terminal. Because of how small the airport is compared to larger places, baggage claim, the transportation area, and restroom or leisure services are not difficult to find.

Getting Between Terminals

As a single terminal does arrive on Nome Airport, then you have no need to move between terminals. The main building handles all arriving and departing flights.

Services and Amenities

The airport has limited services and facilities, including a pilot lounge, courtesy car, FBO office (not at the terminal), refreshments, and restrooms run by Olson Air Service. These may be more limited at smaller mid-sized airports.

Restaurants and Shops

Dining options at Nome Airport are scarce, but the on-site Twin Dragon Restaurant and Polaris Bar offer food and beverages. The terminal does not have its own proper retail stores, but there are a few snack and souvenir options available to passengers.

Security and Customs

Nome Airport will continue its standard security screening practices, which allow for the inspection of checked and carry-on baggage by hand. As a 100%-domestic airport, it has no customs or immigration facilities for travelers.

Accessibility

The Nome Airport is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant for passengers who have disabilities. The terminal has a total of 13 gates, and similar to most terminals at LAX, it offers accessible pathways for travelers with disabilities as well as companion care restrooms and passenger assistance services.

Travel Tips

• Stage warm clothes - Nome can be damn cold, even in the summer.
• Flights are frequently delayed or cancelled because of the difficult weather in the area.
• The Iditarod National Historic Trail is also nearby, offering some of the most expansive wilderness in all Alaska.
• The Nome area is not exactly a Mecca of inexpensive accommodations (California wine country takes that prize), especially during the summer months.