Hoonah Airport (HNH)

Hoonah Airport (IATA: HNH, ICAO: PAOH) is the primary air transportation facility serving the city of Hoonah, a Tlingit community on Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska. As a city not connected to the contiguous road system, the airport provides an essential, year-round lifeline for residents, visitors, mail, and cargo. It functions as a crucial link for medical transport, commerce, and tourism, connecting Hoonah to the state capital and the wider air travel network. The airport is owned and operated by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.

Opened in 1966, Hoonah Airport was developed to provide reliable air access to the isolated island community. Its existence has been fundamental to the town's modern development, replacing a near-total reliance on marine transportation. The airport is situated approximately one nautical mile (2 km) southeast of Hoonah’s central business district. Travelers can typically reach the terminal in a few minutes by local taxi or pre-arranged shuttles provided by lodges and tour operators. Given the town's compact size, walking to the airport is also feasible from nearby locations.

Operations at Hoonah Airport consist exclusively of domestic, short-haul flights. There is no international service. The primary carrier is Alaska Seaplanes, which offers multiple scheduled flights daily to Juneau International Airport (JNU), the region's main transportation hub. In addition to scheduled service, the airport handles a significant volume of on-demand air taxi and general aviation traffic. Annually, it serves approximately 8,000 to 9,000 passenger enplanements, reflecting its role as a small but vital community airport.

The airport's facilities are functional and appropriately scaled for its operations. It features a single, modest terminal building with a check-in counter, a small waiting area, and restrooms. Travelers should not expect amenities such as restaurants, gift shops, or passenger lounges. The focus is purely on facilitating safe and efficient arrivals and departures.

For those traveling through Hoonah Airport, it is advisable to arrive approximately 60 minutes before a scheduled departure to allow sufficient time for check-in and baggage. Booking ground transportation in advance is highly recommended, as on-demand options can be limited. Nearly all travelers flying to or from Hoonah will connect through Juneau (JNU) for flights to Anchorage, Seattle, or other destinations. Visitors should also be aware that Southeast Alaska’s weather is unpredictable and can cause flight delays or cancellations, so it is wise to build flexibility into travel itineraries and monitor flight status closely.