Jonesville Mine Airport

Economic reasons. The airport was a private airstrip built exclusively to support the operations of the adjacent Jonesville Coal Mine. When the mine's large-scale commercial production ceased due to shifting economic conditions and the rise of oil and gas as primary energy sources, the logistical need for the airport was eliminated. Its closure was a direct result of the mine's closure, leading to gradual abandonment rather than a formal decommissioning event.

The site of the former airport is completely reclaimed by nature and is no longer recognizable as an aviation facility. The land is now part of the Jonesville Public Use Area, a popular recreational zone managed by the State of Alaska. The faint outline of the former runway has been incorporated into a network of trails used for off-road vehicles (ATVs), hiking, and other outdoor activities. The area is covered with brush, trees, and informal vehicle tracks.

The Jonesville Mine Airport was a vital logistical asset for the Jonesville Coal Mine, one of the key producers in Alaska's Matanuska Coal Fields during the mid-20th century. When active, the airstrip handled small general aviation aircraft, often referred to as bush planes. These operations were critical for transporting personnel (engineers, management, workers), high-priority parts and equipment, medical supplies, and mail to and from the relatively remote mining operation. The airport's existence underscores the importance of aviation in supporting Alaska's resource extraction industries before extensive road networks were established.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Jonesville Mine Airport. The site's current designation as a public recreational area, its complete overgrowth, and the absence of any industrial or commercial driver make its redevelopment as an airport extremely unlikely. Any future industrial activity in the region would likely rely on existing road infrastructure or the construction of new, modern facilities elsewhere.