Skagway Airport Explained

Skagway Airport
Iata:SGY
Icao:PAGY
Faa:SGY
Wmo:70362
Type:Public
Operator:State of Alaska DOT&PF - Southeast Region
City-Served:Skagway, Alaska
Elevation-F:44
Elevation-M:13
Coordinates:59.46°N -135.3156°W
Pushpin Map:USA Alaska
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of airport in Alaska
Pushpin Label:SGY
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
R1-Number:2/20
R1-Length-F:3,550
R1-Length-M:1,082
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2006
Stat1-Header:Aircraft operations
Stat1-Data:12,500
Footnotes:Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1]

Skagway Airport is a state-owned public-use airport in the city of Skagway, Alaska.

This airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2015–2019, which categorized it as a nonprimary commercial service airport based on 7,532 enplanements in 2012.[2] As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 10,727 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2008,[3] 6,468 enplanements in 2009, and 8,531 in 2010.[4]

Facilities and aircraft

Skagway Airport has one runway designated 2/20 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,550 by 75 feet (1,082 x 23 m). For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 12,500 aircraft operations, an average of 34 per day: 86% air taxi and 14% general aviation.

The airport does not have a tower, but does have a small passenger building at the south end. Skagway is known as a very windy place. In the summer the wind generally blows from the south and can be quite strong and gusty. In the winter the wind turns around and blows from the north. The airport is situated in a north–south direction and against the west side of the valley next to the Skagway River. There have been a number of fatal accidents over the past decades, generally by privately owned aircraft owners who did not understand the tight constraints of the path of landings and takeoffs. It is wise to talk to an experienced pilot from one of the airlines to understand the issues.

There have been landings at this airport by small jet aircraft, but rarely. At the south end, in the summer, there is a commercial helicopter tourist company that flies multiple craft throughout the day.Rarely, seaplanes have landed in the ocean and taxied to the small boat harbor, but a new wave-wall that was constructed a few years ago makes that option more difficult. Also, the wind can make the ocean very choppy at times.

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines offer scheduled passenger service at this airport:

Statistics

Top destinations

Top domestic destinations
(2015)[5] ! Rank! City! Airport! Passengers
1Juneau, AKJNU7,070
2Haines, AKHNS870

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. . Federal Aviation Administration. effective August 25, 2011.
  2. Web site: Appendix A: List of NPIAS Airports with 5-Year Forecast Activity and Development Estimate . PDF, 7.89 MB . National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) Report . Federal Aviation Administration . May 23, 2016 .
  3. Web site: Enplanements for CY 2008 . Federal Aviation Administration . faa.gov . December 18, 2009 . PDF, 1.0 MB.
  4. Web site: Enplanements for CY 2010 . Federal Aviation Administration . faa.gov . October 4, 2011 . PDF, 189 KB.
  5. Web site: Skagway, AK: Skagway Airport (SGY) . .