Nunapitchuk Airport (NUP)

Nunapitchuk Airport (IATA: NUP, FAA LID: 16A) is a state-owned, public-use airport that serves as a critical transportation link for the remote Yup'ik village of Nunapitchuk, Alaska. Located in the Bethel Census Area, the airport provides the community with year-round access to essential services, mail, cargo, and passenger travel, as it is not connected to the state's road system. Its primary role is to connect residents to the regional hub of Bethel, which in turn provides access to the rest of Alaska and beyond. The airport is an indispensable piece of infrastructure, fundamental to the daily life and well-being of the village's population.

Activated in May 1977, the airport is situated just one nautical mile east of Nunapitchuk's central district. Given the village's small size and layout along the Johnson River, the airport is easily accessible to residents. Travel between the village and the airstrip is typically accomplished on foot or by using personal vehicles common to the region, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the summer and snow machines during the winter. There are no taxis, ride-sharing services, or public transportation options available for reaching the airport.

Operations at Nunapitchuk Airport consist exclusively of unscheduled, on-demand domestic air taxi services. There are no regularly scheduled commercial flights or international services. The primary carriers serving NUP are regional airlines like Grant Aviation and Yute Air, which operate small propeller aircraft suited for the airport's single gravel runway. Virtually all flights are short-haul routes to and from Bethel Memorial Airport (BET), a flight of approximately 20 minutes. The airport handles a modest volume of traffic, with annual enplanements typically numbering between 4,000 and 5,000 passengers.

Travelers should not expect conventional airport amenities. Facilities are extremely limited, consisting of the airstrip itself and a small, basic shelter for passengers to wait for their flights. There are no terminals, restrooms, ticket counters, restaurants, shops, or Wi-Fi services. Visitors should plan to arrive with all necessary food, water, and supplies. It is crucial to confirm baggage weight and size allowances directly with the air taxi service, as restrictions on small aircraft are much stricter than on major airlines. Due to the unpredictable nature of Alaskan weather, flight delays and cancellations are common. Travelers are advised to build significant flexibility into their itineraries and maintain communication with their air carrier for the latest flight status.