Shonto Airport

The airport has not been formally closed but has suffered from a prolonged lack of funding and maintenance. This has led to a significant degradation of its infrastructure. The official FAA facility record notes that the runway surface has 'NUMEROUS CRACKS & VEGETATION GROWTH' and that runway markings are 'FADED & PEELING'. This physical deterioration, combined with its remote and unattended nature, makes it unsafe for regular aviation operations, leading to its de facto closure.

As of the latest FAA records, Shonto Airport is officially listed as 'Operational' but is unattended. The site consists of a single, deteriorated asphalt runway (designated 01/19) measuring approximately 4,600 by 50 feet. Satellite imagery confirms the runway is cracked, weathered, and encroached upon by vegetation. There are no permanent buildings, fuel services, or staff on site. The land is still owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and managed by the Navajo Nation. It is only usable at a pilot's own risk, typically by aircraft suited for rough and unimproved fields.

Shonto Airport (FAA: 0V4) was established as a vital transportation link for the remote Shonto Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), it was a critical piece of infrastructure in a region with challenging terrain and limited road access. When active, its primary operations included:
- General Aviation: Serving private pilots and small aircraft.
- Medical Evacuation (Medevac): Providing a crucial lifeline for emergency medical transport to regional hospitals.
- Government & Tribal Services: Facilitating access for BIA, Indian Health Service, and Navajo Nation officials to the community.
- Mail and Cargo: Used for the delivery of essential supplies and mail to the remote community.

Since the airport is not officially closed, prospects are for 'rehabilitation' rather than 'reopening'. The Navajo Nation Division of Transportation includes Shonto Airport in its long-term Airport System Plan. This plan has identified the airport as requiring a complete runway reconstruction and other significant capital improvements to meet current safety standards. However, progress is entirely dependent on securing substantial federal or tribal funding. As of now, there are no active, funded projects to restore the airport to a fully operational and safe condition.