Bettles Airport (PABT), Alaska
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Bettles Airport (PABT) is an unattended, non-towered field in northern Alaska, closest to customs clearance at Fairfield, roughly 155 nm away. It handles a small, mostly business-aviation traffic base and sits well above the Arctic Circle, with a gravel runway and an adjacent water landing area for float operations.
Runways
Bettles Airport has two runways. The longest, 02/20, is 5,190 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a gravel surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Bettles Airport has Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Bettles Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Fairbanks International (PAFA), 155 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Bettles Airport recorded 548 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August. Traffic at PABT concentrates in the summer months, with August recording 143 business-aviation operations against totals under 30 in most of the winter months.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 143 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Bettles Airport averages 0.2 days above 90°F in June, 31.0 freeze days in January and 5.6 snow days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 70.2°F, and January the coldest, at -2.4°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Bettles Airport has published operating constraints in two categories: runway notes and other notes.
MALS on runway 02, VASI on runway 02 and 20, and MIRL on runway 02/20 are pilot-activated on CTAF.
Runway condition is unmonitored; a visual inspection prior to landing is recommended.
Airport beacon operates from sunrise to sunset, activated on CTAF.
Winter snow removal is coordinated on CTAF.
Weather observations are available; Bettles weather is broadcast on CTAF.
A weather camera is available online at the FAA weather cameras website.
This is a cold temperature airport. Altitude correction is required at or below -44C.
Float plane operations occur 2 miles southeast of the airport.
Fuel is available H24, including unleaded fuel, coordinated on frequencies 121.7 or 130.1.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Skystar at PABT
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 PABT.
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 runway surfaces are available at PABT?
Bettles Airport (PABT) offers a 5,190 by 150-foot gravel runway, designated 02/20, plus a 4,100 by 200-foot water runway designated 14W/32W for float operations. There is no paved surface at this field.
Is fuel available at Bettles Airport?
Bettles Airport (PABT) offers both 100LL and Jet A fuel on an H24 basis according to airport remarks. The field is unattended, so pilots should coordinate fuel access on CTAF before arrival.
How cold does it get at PABT and does that affect operations?
Bettles Airport (PABT) is designated a cold temperature airport, requiring altitude corrections at or below -44C. Winter climate data show temperatures regularly below freezing, with January averaging a high of -2.4F and 31 days below 32F.