Air Transportation
Air transportation - the airplane - is the primary means of transportation in Alaska.
Airlines serve the major cities of Alaska, but most of the small towns and
villages, with small airfields, rely on small air taxi, freight, and charter companies.
The Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is located approximately four miles
southwest of downtown; they are now on the yellow line (buses) and a taxi to the center at one
time cost around $10.
There are G.O. Shuttles in the summer,
however, and the Airlink Shuttle (at one time anyway) was even
less expensive. We understand Airlink Shuttle & Tours added a motorcoach to
its fleet in Fall 2008 to accommodate transfers and tours for larger groups.
Contace: Jeff Heber, airlink@acsalaska.net,
(907) 452-3337!
The airport operates a full 24 hours, 7 days a week schedule with many passenger/traveler conveniences, in addition to U.S. Customs and Fuel services.
Fairbanks has attracted regularly scheduled international all-cargo flights servicing North American, Asian and European destinations. Traffic Overview .75
million Passengers 8 Scheduled Airlines 200 Million Pounds of Freight Point of Contact - Airport Marketing: 907-479-8700
Carriers offering daily flights from Anchorage include Alaska Airlines and
Delta. Northwest also provides some flights. Their summer and winter schedules often
differ. Delta no longer serves Fairbanks, but Alaska Airlines does, as does
Frontier. The city acts as a gateway for flights into the bush. All bush flights are weather
permitting.
The following companies use aircraft for one or more of their tours or
charters out of Fairbanks. More information on each will be added as time permits.
1stAlaskaoutdoorschool.com
This local company offers both winter and summer tours, some of which
utilize
Wrangell Mountain Air Cessnas or DeHavillands. Follow the link above for
more information.
The planes are small, only one row of seats on each side of the plane,
but it gives you a more authentic "Alaskan experience." Frontier flies to Nome, Kotzebue and many Yukon River communities as well as
doing daily Arctic Circle trips. They have scheduled flights to the
following:
They offer both day and overnight visits to the villages,
and will customize your trip if you wish. Their brochure does not list prices. For more
information, call them at (907) 474-0014. The August 26, 2000 edition of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner carried a letter
about them in its "Applause" section.
Popular tour company with numerous tours, some combining tour vans with air
travel.
This is a small commuter/charter air service with scheduled passenger and cargo service in Interior Alaska, as well as weekday seats (two) available on
mail planes that visit 7 villages above the Arctic Circle (certificates are given). They are located in Fairbanks, but have satellite stations in Aniak,
Galena, Kotzebue, and McGrath. Contact information is included on our page (click on title link), so you can get more information.
Warbelow's Air Ventures, Inc.
This airline has passenger and mail service from Fairbanks to:
 | Allakaket |
| Ambler |
| Anaktubak |
| Arctic Village |
| Beaver |
| Bettles |
| Central |
|
| Chalkyitsik |
| Circle |
| Circle Hot Springs |
| Fort Yukon |
| Galena |
| Hughes |
| Huslia |
|
| Indian Mountain |
| Kaltag |
| Kobuk |
| Nulato |
| Rampart |
| Shungnak |
| Tanana |
| Venetie |
|
As Arctic Circle Northern Highlights Tours, they have six package tours:
| Bush Mail Route Excursion - this least expensive
flight has 16 daily departure, including 6 north of the Arctic Circle. 4 hour trip. |
| Native Village Tour - includes tour of Fort Yukon
with Athabascan Native guides. |
| Bettles: Arctic Circle & Wilderness Adventure
- 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle. 45 minute Snowmachine adventure (optional dog sled
available for chg.) |
|
| Japanese Pioneer History/Venetie Village Tour
(see
the village founded by Japanese pioneer Frank Yasuda) |
| Winter Nights & Northern Lights - Overnight
package available in several villages. |
| Northern Life Tour - Extended day tour of Fork
Yukon, includes lunch and hour long snowmachine or dog sled tour. |
|
Enjoy village tours, or just a flight over the Arctic Circle. They
provide Arctic Circle Certificates where appropriate. Prices start at $195 per person for
4 hrs. They are rebuilding their website, after which we will provide a link to their
schedules and prices.
Warbelow's Air Ventures, Inc. Contact Fairbanks (800) 478-0812 or local (907)
474-0518, fax (907) 474-3821; Galena (800) 478-1866 or local (907) 656-1866. You can find
them on the East Ramp of the Fairbanks International Airport, 3758 University Avenue
South.
Wright Air Service
Phones - Main: (907) 474-0502; Main Fax: (907) 474-0375; Charter Desk: (907)
474-0542; Freight Office: (907) 474-0591
Al Wright began flying in the 1940's. He was involved with various
aviation endeavors including: Nenana Air Service, Fort Yukon Air, and Wien
Airlines. Al was also a registered Big Game Guide. He began Wright Air
Service in Fairbanks in 1966, servicing Interior Alaska with a Cessna 180
and a Piper PA-14. The majority of the flights were made on floats in the
summer and on skis in the winter. Bob Bursiel began flying for Wright Air
Service in 1968, and became the owner in 1982. Today, the company is
operating 8 Grand Caravans, 3 Navajos, 3 Helio Couriers, 2 Cessna 206's and
a Beechcraft Bonanza. With 16 pilots, 10 mechanics and 34 support staff;
they have become a sizable business over the last 4 decades, while remaining
a traditionally family friendly company toward its customers and employees.
They now carry more than 20,000 passengers a year on their scheduled flights
and a growing volume of freight.
For fishing and other river charters, see Water
Adventures.
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