Catalina Island: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Catalina Island, located about 29 miles south-southwest of Los Angeles, is a popular tourist destination known for its wildlife, dive sites, and outdoor activities. The island is also home to an airport, known as Catalina Airport (IATA: AVX, ICAO: KAVX, FAA LID: AVX), situated 6.4 miles northwest of Avalon, California. This privately-owned airport, open to the public, is often referred to as the Airport in the Sky due to its unique location atop a mountain on the island, sitting at an elevation of 1,602 feet above sea level.

Catalina Airport's history

Catalina Island, located in California, United States, is home to the Catalina Airport, also known as the Catalina Island Airport in the Sky. The airport is situated in the middle of the island, 6.4 miles (10.2 km) northwest of Avalon, the central business district. The history of Catalina Airport can be traced back to the development of the island as a tourist destination in the 1920s by William Wrigley Jr., who owned a significant portion of Catalina Island through the Santa Catalina Island Company.

In the late 1930s, P.K. Wrigley, the son of William Wrigley Jr., commissioned the construction of an airport on the island. The project began in 1940, with the goal of building a 3,200-foot runway. However, these plans were halted when the United States entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. During the war, the entire island was leased to the US government, and the partially constructed runway was covered with debris to prevent its use by enemy aircraft.

In the autumn of 1942, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) took control of the runway for the duration of World War II. The airfield, known as Buffalo Springs Airport, served as a sub-base of March Field in Riverside County. It supported various military branches, including the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Service, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

After World War II ended, the Wrigley family regained possession of the island. They completed the runway and constructed an air traffic control tower and terminal building. The airport, now known as the Catalina Airport, officially opened to the public in 1946.

In the following decades, Catalina Airport provided scheduled passenger service to various destinations. In the 1950s, United Airlines operated nonstop flights to nearby airports such as Long Beach and Los Angeles International. During the same period, Catalina Air Lines offered nonstop flights to Burbank Airport (now Bob Hope Airport) using de Havilland Dove twin-propeller aircraft. By the late 1950s, Pacific Air Lines had joined in, providing flights to Los Angeles International, Long Beach, and Burbank Airport with Douglas DC-3 aircraft.

Over time, additional airlines began servicing Catalina Airport, including Catalina-Vegas Airlines in the late 1960s and Golden West Airlines in the early 1970s. The airport continued to be a vital link for passengers travelling to and from Catalina Island.

Runway and airfield details

Catalina Airport, also known as Catalina Island Airport in the Sky, is located 6.4 miles (10.2 km) northwest of Avalon, California, in the middle of Catalina Island. The airport is privately owned and operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy, which is one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California. The airfield is situated at an elevation of 1,602 feet (488 m) above sea level, making it one of the unique features of the island.

The runway at Catalina Airport is 3,000 feet (914 m) long and 75 feet (23 m) wide. It is made of concrete and is reported to be in excellent condition. The runway was originally constructed in 1941 by blasting and levelling two adjacent peaks, filling in the gaps with the resulting debris. In 2019, the runway underwent repairs through a partnership between the Catalina Island Conservancy and the Department of Defense, improving its safety and smoothness.

Runway 4/22 at Catalina Airport is a tabletop runway, which means it has no overrun protection. The first 1,800 feet of Runway 22 slopes uphill towards the southwest, with the remaining section being level or slightly downhill. This unique design has presented challenges for pilots, as they can only see the first part of the runway during the approach. Strong southwest winds can also create a strong downdraft at the approach end of Runway 22. Due to these factors, aircraft rental agencies often require additional training and caution for pilots landing at this airfield.

The airport has specific operating hours, opening at 8:00 am and closing at 5:00 pm. It is important to note that operations are prohibited at night or when the airport is unattended. Additionally, pilots must announce their intention to use the active runway on Unicom prior to departure due to the runway's gradient, which can obstruct visibility.

Landing fees and operating hours

Catalina Airport, also known as the Airport in the Sky, is located on Santa Catalina Island, California. The airport is privately owned and operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy, which is one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California. It is open to the public and allows general aviation aircraft to land.

Landing Fees

The airport charges the following landing fees for different aircraft:

• One-time landing fees: $38 for Piston single, $44 for Piston twin, $55 for Turbine single, and $110 for Turbine twin.
• Aero Club Membership: $175 for Piston and $325 for Turbine annual landing fees.
• Overnight fees: $22 for a single engine or $27 for a twin engine.

Operating Hours

The operating hours of the Catalina Airport are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is important to note that the airport is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and operations are prohibited at night or when the airport is unattended.

Airport ownership and management

Catalina Airport, also known as the "Airport in the Sky", is a privately owned airport located on Catalina Island, California, United States. The airport is owned and managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, a non-profit organisation and one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California.

The Catalina Island Conservancy was founded in 1972 and is dedicated to restoring and protecting Catalina Island's wildlands, aiming to create a sustainable, thriving environment for both wildlife and humans. The Conservancy manages 88% of the island, including the airport, and provides information on guided tours and the natural history of the area.

The Airport in the Sky is situated at an elevation of 1,602 feet (488 meters) above sea level and is approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) from Avalon, the only city on Catalina Island. The airport features a single 3,000-foot (914-meter) runway, initially constructed in 1941 by blasting and levelling two adjacent peaks. The runway was repaired and reopened in 2019 through a partnership between the Conservancy, the Department of Defense, and the Marines at Camp Pendleton, who performed the repairs as a training exercise.

The airport is open to the public and allows general aviation aircraft to land, serving primarily this purpose. It is also used for airfreight from the mainland, with daily supply deliveries to the island. The airport has a terminal building with restrooms, a restaurant, and a gift shop. It provides aviation fuel services and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape.

The Catalina Island Conservancy manages the airport's operations, including landing fees and operating hours. Landing fees vary based on the type of aircraft, with one-time landing fees ranging from $38 to $110. Overnight fees are also applicable, ranging from $22 to $27. The airport's operating hours are from 8 am to 5 pm.

Nearby attractions

Catalina Island has a host of attractions for visitors to enjoy. The Island is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and scuba diving. The Island also offers aerial tours, including helicopter and seaplane flights, and for those seeking a more relaxed experience, there are boat tours, golf, and spa treatments.

The Island is also home to the Catalina Casino, a recognisable landmark that features a theatre, the Avalon Ballroom, and the Wrigley Ballroom. The Casino offers a VIP backstage tour, providing exclusive access to areas such as the stars' dressing rooms and the directors' projection booth. The Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden is another notable attraction, operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy, which also offers classroom lessons and outdoor experiences focused on nature-based engagement and learning.

For families, Catalina Island offers beautiful beaches, ice cream and candy shops, and glass-bottom boat tours. The Island is also known for its bison, descendants of a herd left by a movie crew in the 1920s, which can be spotted on expeditions and tours.

Catalina Island also has a rich history, with the Catalina Museum of Art & History preserving and presenting the cultural heritage of the Island. The Island was once owned by William Wrigley Jr., who commissioned the Catalina Casino, and the Wrigley family home, now the Catalina Country Club, is also open to the public for weddings and private events.

Frequently asked questions