Nelson Lagoon Airport (PAOU), Alaska
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Nelson Lagoon Airport (PAOU) is a small, unattended public-use field in southwest Alaska serving low volumes of business aviation traffic. It sits well off the customs network, with the nearest clearance point over 200 nautical miles away.
Runways
Nelson Lagoon Airport has one unpaved runway, 08/26, 4,003 ft long and 75 ft wide, with a gravel and dirt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Nelson Lagoon Airport has 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Nelson Lagoon Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Unalaska (PADU), 225 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Nelson Lagoon Airport recorded 362 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in September. Business aviation traffic at Nelson Lagoon Airport (PAOU) concentrates in the summer months, peaking in September, per FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 67 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Operating constraints
Nelson Lagoon Airport has published operating constraints in three categories: runway notes, environmental and other notes.
Runway 08/26 medium-intensity runway lighting is pilot-activated via CTAF.
The first 300 feet of Runway 08 is soft in the middle.
Runway condition is not monitored; a visual inspection is recommended before use.
Large sea birds are present along the beach adjacent to the runway.
A weather camera is available online at the FAA weather cameras website.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Alternates
Nelson Lagoon Airport has one alternate within 47 NM. The nearest alternate is Sand Point (PASD), 46.94 NM southeast.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at PAOU
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 PAOU.
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 does Nelson Lagoon Airport (PAOU) have?
Nelson Lagoon Airport (PAOU) has a single gravel-dirt runway, 08/26, measuring 4,003 by 75 feet. The airport is unattended, so pilots should plan for self-service operations with no on-field staff.
Is fuel available at PAOU?
Nelson Lagoon Airport (PAOU) offers 100LL fuel only; Jet A is not available on the field. The airport is unattended, so fuel access should be confirmed independently before planning a stop.
Where is the nearest customs facility to Nelson Lagoon Airport?
The nearest customs airport to Nelson Lagoon Airport (PAOU) is PADU, located approximately 224.6 nautical miles away. PAOU itself has no onsite customs service, so international arrivals must clear at PADU.