Remote Arctic gateway serving the village of Wainwright, Alaska.
Location
Wainwright, United States
Wainwright Airport (IATA: AIN, ICAO: PAWI) is a small general aviation and commuter airport serving the Inupiat village of Wainwright, located on the Chukchi Sea coast in the North Slope Borough of Alaska. It provides essential air access to this remote Arctic community, which has no road connections to the broader Alaska highway system.
The airport supports scheduled commuter flights operated by small regional carriers, serving as a lifeline for residents traveling to Utqiaġvik (Barrow) and other North Slope communities. Given the extreme Arctic climate and the village's remote location, air travel is the primary means of transportation to and from Wainwright.
Terminals
The airport has a small, simple terminal facility consistent with rural Alaska bush airports.
Getting to & from
Ground transport within the village is extremely limited, as Wainwright has no road connections to other Alaska communities.
Airlines here
Ravn Alaska and similar small regional carriers have historically provided scheduled commuter service to Wainwright.
Notable facts
- ›Located on the Chukchi Sea coast in Alaska's North Slope Borough.
- ›Serves the Inupiat community of Wainwright, population approximately 600.
- ›No road connects Wainwright to other Alaskan communities; air is the primary transport mode.
- ›The airport has a single gravel runway suited to small commuter aircraft.
- ›Extreme Arctic weather conditions frequently affect flight operations.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
