Homer Alaska: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Homer Airport (HOM) is a state-owned public-use airport located in Homer, Alaska. The airport is situated 4 km east of Homer's central business district and covers an area of 420 hectares at an elevation of 26 m above sea level. With approximately 53,000 annual aircraft operations, including commercial flights, air taxis, and military aircraft, it serves the southern Kenai Peninsula and eastern Cook Inlet. The airport has undergone rehabilitation and improvements, with construction starting in 2023 and expected to be completed in 2025.

Homer Airport is state-owned and public-use

Homer Airport is indeed a state-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (approximately four kilometres) east of Homer, a town in the Kenai Peninsula Borough of Alaska. Covering an area of 1,040 acres (420 hectares) at an elevation of 84 feet (26 metres) above mean sea level, the airport is just over five minutes away from the Driftwood Inn and a short distance from the heart of the Homer Spit.

The airport has a single runway, designated 4/22, with a 6,701 x 150 ft (2,042 x 46 m) asphalt pavement, and a facility for floatplanes on the nearby Beluga Lake. It serves the southern Kenai Peninsula and eastern Cook Inlet, offering scheduled passenger and cargo services with approximately 53,000 annual aircraft operations, including commercial, air taxi, general aviation, and military flights.

The airport has a long history, dating back to 1932 when Woodley Airways began operations in Alaska. By 1950, Pacific Northern Airlines (PNA), the successor to Woodley Airways, was serving the airport with Douglas DC-3 services. In the 1960s and 1970s, Western Airlines operated flights to and from the airport, offering direct connections to Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. During this time, the airport also witnessed the use of Lockheed Constellation propliners and Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprops.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, is currently rehabilitating and improving the airport and its facilities. These improvements include upgrades to the runway, taxiways, and general aviation apron. Construction began in 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025, with temporary airport closures planned during this period.

It is located 2 nautical miles from Homer's central business district

Homer Airport is a state-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (approximately 4 km) from the central business district of Homer, a town in the Kenai Peninsula Borough of Alaska. The airport is situated at an elevation of 84 feet (26 m) above mean sea level and covers an area of 1,040 acres (420 ha). It is conveniently located just 3 miles from the heart of the Homer Spit and offers stunning views of Kachemak Bay during descent.

Being just over 100 miles from Anchorage, the airport has been served by several airlines over the years, including Woodley Airways, Pacific Northern Airlines, and Western Airlines. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Wien Air Alaska operated nonstop Boeing 737-200 jet services to Anchorage and Kodiak from the airport. The airport has a single runway designated 4/22, measuring 6,701 by 150 feet (2,042 x 46 m), and a separate facility for floatplanes on nearby Beluga Lake.

Homer Airport experiences a significant volume of air traffic, with approximately 49,821 aircraft operations recorded in the 12-month period ending January 1, 2006, averaging 136 operations per day. These operations included scheduled commercial, air taxi, general aviation, and military flights. As of 2022, the airport handles around 53,000 annual aircraft operations across all types, including commercial, air taxi, general aviation, and military flights.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, is currently working on rehabilitating and improving the airport and its facilities. Construction began in 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025, with temporary airport closures planned during that time. These improvements aim to enhance the runway, taxiways, and general aviation apron, ensuring safer and more efficient operations at Homer Airport.

The airport has one runway and a facility for floatplanes

Homer Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located approximately two nautical miles (4 km) east of Homer, Alaska. Covering an area of 1,040 acres (420 ha) at an elevation of 84 feet (26 m) above mean sea level, the airport features a single runway designated 4/22, along with a facility for floatplanes on the nearby Beluga Lake.

The runway at Homer Airport spans 6,701 feet (2,042 m) in length and 150 feet (46 m) in width, accommodating various aircraft operations. The airport serves as a base for a diverse range of aircraft, including single-engine, multi-engine, helicopter, and ultralight planes. During the 12-month period ending on January 1, 2006, the airport recorded 49,821 aircraft operations, averaging 136 flights per day. These operations encompassed scheduled commercial, air taxi, general aviation, and military flights.

The floatplane facility at Homer Airport adds a unique dimension to the airport's capabilities. Floatplanes, also known as seaplane planes, are aircraft designed to take off and land on water. This facility expands travel options and accessibility, particularly for those travelling to and from areas with abundant waterways or coastal regions. It provides an alternative to traditional runways, allowing for seamless transitions between water and air travel.

Over the years, Homer Airport has been served by several notable airlines, including Pacific Northern Airlines, Western Airlines, and Wien Air Alaska. The airport has offered flights to various destinations within Alaska, such as Anchorage, Kodiak, Kenai, Kasilof, and Ninilchik. Additionally, connecting services have been available, providing travellers with the convenience of seamless travel to locations outside of Alaska, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

The airport continues to undergo improvements and expansions, with construction projects aimed at enhancing the runway, taxiways, and general aviation apron. These upgrades are part of a broader effort to rehabilitate and modernise the airport, ensuring that it remains a safe and efficient gateway to the southern Kenai Peninsula and eastern Cook Inlet regions.

It has been served by various airlines since 1950

Homer Airport (HOM) is a state-owned public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) east of Homer, Alaska. The airport covers an area of 1,040 acres (420 ha) and sits at an elevation of 84 feet (26 m) above sea level. It features a 6,701 x 150 ft (2,042 x 46 m) asphalt runway and a facility for floatplanes on nearby Beluga Lake.

In 1967, Western Airlines, a major carrier based in Los Angeles, acquired Pacific Northern. Western continued to serve Homer after the merger, offering direct Constellation service from Homer to Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. By the early 1970s, Western ceased its operations at the airport.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Wien Air Alaska operated Boeing 737-200 jet service from the airport, primarily offering nonstop flights to Anchorage and Kodiak. Wien had previously served Homer during the mid-1970s with Fairchild F-27B turboprops but discontinued jet service to the airport by early 1982.

Today, the Homer Airport continues to receive scheduled passenger and cargo service, with approximately 53,000 annual aircraft operations. The airport is accessible via commercial airlines, Ravn Air, or charter services like Bald Mountain Air.

Improvements to the airport are ongoing

Homer Airport, located in Homer, Alaska, is undergoing rehabilitation and improvements, with construction having started in 2023 and expected to be completed in 2025. The airport, which is state-owned and open for public use, covers an area of 1,040 acres at an elevation of 84 feet above mean sea level. It features a single runway, designated 4/22, and a facility for floatplanes on the nearby Beluga Lake.

The rehabilitation and improvement project is essential to ensure the airport's continued safe and efficient operation. With approximately 53,000 annual aircraft operations, including commercial, air taxi, general aviation, and military flights, the airport plays a vital role in serving the southern Kenai Peninsula and eastern Cook Inlet regions.

The ongoing improvements to the Homer Airport demonstrate the commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure and ensuring safe and convenient travel for residents and visitors to the region. The project is a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders and underscores the importance of investing in critical aviation facilities.

As the construction progresses towards its expected completion in 2025, travellers can anticipate an even better experience at the Homer Airport, benefiting from enhanced safety, efficiency, and overall travel experience. The improvements will also contribute to the local economy and tourism industry, making Homer an even more attractive destination for visitors seeking easy access to all that the area has to offer.

Frequently asked questions