Aviation touches all aspects of life in rural Alaska, and is a basic mode of transportation due to the vastness of Alaska. Approximately 82% of Alaskan communities are not served by roads and have no connection to the contiguous road system. In most cases, no practical alternative to aviation exists. Alaska has six times as many pilots per capita and 16 times as many aircraft per capita when compared to the rest of the United States. Rural Aviation covers all Alaskan airports except the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Fairbanks International Airport. The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities owns 240 airports in the rural aviation system that the Division of Statewide Aviation oversees policies, procedures, and programs to develop, construct, operate, and manage those facilities.

The number of enplanements (4.8 million) in Alaska is 6.5 times the state population compared to 2.4 times the U.S. population for all states. There are 306 certified air carriers in Alaska providing scheduled and on-demand services.   FAA Fact Sheet

In State Air Cargo Providers

Alaska Airlines Cargo

Lynden Air Cargo

Alaska Air Forwarding

Ravn Alaska

Everts Air Cargo

Ryan Air Freight

Ace Air Cargo

Bering Air

Grant Air

Desert Air Alaska

Northern Air Cargo