Barter Island Airport (PABA), Alaska
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Barter Island (PABA / BTI) is a remote public-use airport on the Alaska North Slope, roughly 332 nautical miles from the nearest customs facility at Fairbanks. Its single gravel runway serves general aviation operations in a low-traffic, unattended environment.
Runways
Barter Island Airport has one unpaved runway, 07/25, 4,500 ft long and 100 ft wide, with a gravel surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Barter Island Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Fairbanks International (PAFA), 332 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Barter Island Airport recorded 1,050 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in September. Traffic at Barter Island (PABA) rises through the fall, peaking in September, and drops to its lowest point in December.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 117 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Operating constraints
Barter Island Airport has published operating constraints in two categories: runway notes and other notes.
MIRL for runway 07/25 and REIL for runways 07 and 25 are pilot-activated via CTAF. PAPI for runways 07 and 25 operate continuously.
The runway is unmonitored. A visual inspection prior to landing is recommended.
Gulls, waterfowl, and bears are present in the vicinity of the airport from spring through fall.
Deadhorse FSS is available locally; Fairbanks FSS is also available.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Alternates
Barter Island Airport has three alternates within 99 NM. The nearest alternate is Point Thomson Airstrip (PAAD), 53.83 NM west.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at PABA
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$600.00 catering order at PABA.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
The $75 minimum applies below $862.50.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of runway does PABA have?
Barter Island (PABA) has a single gravel runway, 07/25, measuring 4,500 feet long and 100 feet wide. There is no paved surface at this airport, so operators should plan for gravel-runway performance and braking conditions.
Is Barter Island Airport staffed or towered?
Barter Island (PABA) is a non-towered, unattended airport. The runway is unmonitored, and a visual inspection prior to landing is recommended due to the lack of onsite maintenance oversight.
Where is the nearest customs facility to Barter Island?
Barter Island (PABA) has no onsite customs service; the nearest customs facility is Fairbanks International (PAFA), located about 332 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs clearance near this Alaska North Slope airport must plan for that distance.