Palmyra (Cooper) Airport

Common Complaints

• Extremely Difficult and Expensive Access: Gaining entry requires special permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with flights typically limited to private charters (often by The Nature Conservancy) from Honolulu. Alternatively, a private boat trip takes 5-7 days from Honolulu.
• Lack of Facilities and Amenities: PLPA is an unattended airport with no traditional terminal, stores, restaurants, or other visitor services. Living conditions on the atoll are rustic.
• Strict Regulations: Due to its status as a wildlife refuge, strict rules apply to visitors, including restrictions on waste disposal, vessel inspections, and a ban on pets, even aboard private boats.
• Airstrip Conditions: The runway, built during WWII, is a treated coral surface. Historical accounts mention ongoing efforts to clear encroaching vegetation due to the tropical climate, and there are cautions regarding intensive bird activity and obstacles.

In summary, Palmyra (Cooper) Airport is less an airport and more a remote landing strip facilitating access to an extraordinary natural reserve. While it offers an unparalleled experience for those dedicated to conservation and untouched wilderness, it demands significant planning, expense, and a willingness to forego all modern amenities and services.