Sitka, Alaska: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Sitka, Alaska, located on Baranof Island, is accessible by air and sea. The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, also known as Sitka Airport (SIT), is situated 26 feet (8 m) above mean sea level and has a single runway. The airport is served primarily by Alaska Airlines, which has been operating in Sitka for over 50 years, offering connections to key Alaskan cities and broader national and international networks. Sitka Airport is also served by other airlines, including Delta Airlines and Alaska Seaplanes, providing access to various destinations within Alaska and beyond.

The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport is located 26 feet above sea level

Sitka, Alaska, is home to the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, which sits 26 feet (or 8 metres) above sea level. The airport is located west of the central business district of Sitka, a city and borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is named after the former mayor of Sitka, Rocky Gutierrez.

The airport has a single runway, designated 11/29, with an asphalt surface measuring 7,200 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 metres). This single runway is located on a causeway that juts off Japonski Island. The airport also has a terminal building, with a jetway, and hangars and offices for local air traffic control, the Civil Air Patrol, and various private enterprises.

In the 12-month period ending on January 2, 2011, the airport had 23,100 aircraft operations, averaging 63 per day. These operations included air taxi (43%), general aviation (43%), scheduled commercial (8%), and military (6%). At that time, 30 aircraft were based at the airport: 70% single-engine, 13% ultralight, 10% military, and 7% multi-engine.

The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka has a complex attached to the airport for their helicopters. However, their rotary-wing aircraft based in Sitka rarely use the runway for takeoffs and landings. The airport is served by Alaska Airlines, which has been operating flights to and from Sitka for over 50 years. Alaska Airlines operates Boeing 737 jetliners, as well as Boeing 737-700 all-cargo jet freighter flights.

Alaska Airlines has served the airport for over 50 years

Sitka, Alaska, is home to the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, a state-owned, public-use airport. The airport is named after the city's former mayor, Rocky Gutierrez, and is located on Japonski Island, west of the central business district of Sitka.

Over the years, Alaska Airlines introduced larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 727-200 and 737-200 jets, to its fleet serving the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport. Eventually, the airline transitioned to the more modern Boeing 737 jetliners. Today, Alaska Airlines continues to serve the airport with its Boeing 737-700, 737-800, and Boeing 737-900 jetliners. The airline also operates the Boeing 737-700 all-cargo jet freighter flights into the airport, catering to the transportation of goods and cargo.

The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport features a single terminal and a single paved runway. It is known for its unique challenges due to its location, including safety hazards such as ocean waves washing onto the runway during storms, high winds, and large flocks of birds in the vicinity. Despite these challenges, the airport is a hub for various airlines and enterprises, including the Civil Air Patrol and private enterprises. The airport also accommodates the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, which has a complex attached to the airport for their helicopters.

The airport has essential amenities such as parking and rental cars

Sitka, Alaska, is located on Baranof Island, on the outer coast of Alaska's Inside Passage. The city is only accessible by air and sea. The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport is situated 26 feet (8 m) above mean sea level and has a single runway. The airport is served primarily by Alaska Airlines, which has been providing services to the region for over 50 years.

Sitka Airport (SIT) is a smaller airport in the USA, with direct flights to 5 destinations and 4 airlines offering scheduled passenger traffic. The most common route is to Juneau (JNU), with an average of 59 flights every week, accounting for over 62% of weekly departures. Other destinations include Seattle (SEA), which is the longest flight time from Sitka, taking approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes.

In addition to passenger services, Alaska Airlines operates cargo flights into the airport, and Delta Airlines offers seasonal jet services during the summer. The airport is crucial for the local community, tourism, and commerce, supporting Sitka's fishing industry and cultural exchanges.

The airport has one runway, designated 11/29, with an asphalt surface

Sitka, Alaska, is home to the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, which is located 26 feet (8 m) above mean sea level. The airport has one runway, designated 11/29, with an asphalt surface measuring 7,200 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 m). This single runway supports a variety of aircraft operations, including air taxi, general aviation, scheduled commercial flights, and military flights.

The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport plays a crucial role in ensuring transportation accessibility and supporting the local economy. It provides essential amenities such as parking and rental cars, catering to the needs of both residents and visitors. The airport is served primarily by Alaska Airlines, which has been offering passenger and cargo services to Sitka for several decades.

Alaska Airlines operates a range of jetliners, including the Boeing 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900 models. These aircraft facilitate direct flights to key Alaskan cities such as Juneau and Anchorage, as well as connections to broader national and international networks. The airline has a long history in Sitka, dating back to 1967 when it operated the Boeing 727-100 jet service into the airport.

The airport's runway designation of 11/29 indicates the runway's orientation. The first number, 11, represents the runway's direction in tens of degrees, meaning the runway is oriented towards 110 degrees on the magnetic compass. The second number, 29, indicates the opposite direction of the runway, which is 290 degrees. This dual designation is common in aviation and helps pilots identify the appropriate runway for takeoff and landing based on wind direction and other factors.

In addition to its asphalt surface, the runway at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport also presents some safety challenges. Its proximity to the ocean can result in waves washing onto the runway during storms. The airport's exposed location also makes it susceptible to high winds. These factors, along with the presence of large flocks of birds, are considered safety hazards that pilots and air traffic controllers must carefully navigate.

The airport has hangars and offices for local air traffic control

Sitka, Alaska, is located on Baranof Island, on the outer coast of Alaska's Inside Passage. The city is only accessible by air and sea. The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport is situated 26 feet (8 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway, designated 11/29, with an asphalt surface measuring 7,200 by 150 feet (2,195 x 46 m). The airport has a variety of facilities, including hangars and offices for local air traffic control, the Civil Air Patrol, and various private enterprises.

The airport plays a crucial role in supporting the local community, tourism, and regional commerce. It offers essential amenities such as parking and rental cars, ensuring a seamless travel experience for residents and visitors alike. Sitka Airport, with the airport code SIT, is a smaller airport in the USA, serving 5 destinations with 4 airlines in scheduled passenger traffic. The most frequent route is to Juneau (JNU), with approximately 59 flights departing from Sitka Airport weekly, accounting for over 62% of all weekly departures.

The airport has a rich history of aviation services, with Alaska Airlines serving Sitka for over 50 years. The airline has operated various aircraft models, including the Boeing 727-100, 727-200, 737-200, and the current Boeing 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900 jetliners. In addition to passenger services, Alaska Airlines also operates cargo flights into the airport. Other airlines serving Sitka Airport include Delta Airlines, which offers summer seasonal jet service, and smaller airlines like Harris Air and Alaska Seaplanes, providing connections to towns throughout Southeast Alaska.

The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport is committed to accessibility and safety. It provides a ground loading area and transportation assistance for individuals with disabilities or medical conditions. The airport also offers a grass area in front of the terminal for pet convenience. Safety hazards at the airport include ocean waves washing onto the runway during storms, high winds due to its exposed location, and large flocks of birds.

The airport is an important hub for the US Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, which has a complex attached to the airport for their helicopters. However, their rotary-wing aircraft based in Sitka rarely use the runway for takeoffs and landings. The airport is also featured in the "Sitka Approach" mission supplied with Microsoft Flight Simulator X, allowing virtual pilots to experience the unique challenges of flying to and from Sitka.

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