Yakutat Airport (PAYA), Alaska
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Yakutat Airport (PAYA) sits on Alaska's outer coast, roughly 178 nautical miles from the nearest metro area, and serves as a fuel and operational stop for traffic moving along the Gulf of Alaska. The field offers two paved runways, including the 7,732-foot 11/29 asphalt strip, and operates without a control tower. Customs clearance is not handled onsite; the nearest customs facility is at Haines (PAHN), about 127 nautical miles away. Business aviation activity here is modest and shows a clear seasonal pattern tied to Alaska's operating conditions.
Runways
Yakutat Airport has two paved runways. The longest, 11/29, is 7,732 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Yakutat Airport has Jet A1+ and 100 available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Yakutat Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Haines (PAHN), 127 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Yakutat Airport recorded 316 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in September. Business aviation traffic at PAYA concentrates in the spring and summer months, peaking in September and running low through the winter months of December and January.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 48 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Yakutat Airport averages 25.2 freeze days in March and 8.1 snow days in December. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 61.8°F, and January the coldest, at 34.8°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Yakutat Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Taxiway A1, taxiway D, and apron B are closed to aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds and over.
Cargo operations over 100,000 pounds require prior permission, requested 24 hours in advance.
Pilot-activated lighting: MALSR on runway 11 and 29; REIL on runway 02/20; PAPI on runway 11/29 and 02/20; HIRL on runway 02/20 and 11/29; taxiway lights, activated via CTAF.
Runway 02/20 is unmaintained and unmonitored from October 1 through May 1. Runway 02/20 is not available for Part 121/380 scheduled and non-scheduled operations carrying more than 30 passenger seats.
Runway lights are raised 30 inches.
Personnel and equipment may be working on the runway; a visual inspection before use is recommended. Contact the Flight Service Station for NOTAM information.
PAPI on runway 02, 11, and 29; HIRL on runway 02/20; and REIL on runway 02/20 are out of service from October 1 through May 1.
Airport and runway condition reporting, snow removal, and wildlife and ice control are handled during maintenance duty hours, 0630 to 1730. After hours, contact the airport manager.
Birds and wildlife are present on and in the vicinity of the runway.
PCR VALUE: 574/R/C/X/T
PCR VALUE: 632/F/D/X/T
Caution: snow piles and berms present on the ramp and taxiway edges from October 1 through May 1.
Taxiway C and A1 are closed during air carrier operations and for 15 minutes afterward, due to jet blast.
Sand gradation is larger than FAA recommended; see AC 150/5200-30.
Taxiway B, C, and D are unmaintained, unmonitored, and have lighting out of service from October 1 through May 1.
Weather cameras are available at https://weathercams.faa.gov.
A weather balloon launch facility is located on the airport; see inside back cover for operational details.
Fuel is available 24 hours a day with a credit card.
TSA regulations apply; see 49 CFR 1542. All gates and doors are secured at all times. Transient or unfamiliar aircraft should contact the airport manager.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Alternates
Yakutat Airport has five alternates within 157 NM. The nearest alternate is Haines (PAHN), 127.46 NM east.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at PAYA
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.
$1,200.00 catering order at PAYA.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is customs clearance available at PAYA?
No, Yakutat Airport (PAYA) does not have customs onsite. The nearest customs facility is at Haines (PAHN), approximately 127 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs clearance need to route through Haines or another designated port of entry before or after using PAYA.
What runways are available at Yakutat Airport?
Yakutat Airport (PAYA) has two paved runways: 11/29, measuring 7,732 feet by 150 feet on asphalt, and 02/20, measuring 6,475 feet by 150 feet on concrete. Both runways support paved operations, with 11/29 being the longer of the two. Runway 02/20 is not available for Part 121/380 scheduled and non-scheduled operations carrying more than 30 passenger seats.
Is fuel available at PAYA?
Yes, Yakutat Airport (PAYA) carries both 100 and Jet A (A1+) fuel, available on a credit card basis around the clock. This makes PAYA a viable fuel stop for operators transiting the Gulf of Alaska region without needing to coordinate fuel access in advance with airport personnel.
What are winter operating restrictions at Yakutat Airport?
From October 1 through May 1, several taxiways and runway 02/20 at Yakutat Airport (PAYA) go unmaintained and unmonitored, and associated lighting including HIRL, REIL, and PAPI on that runway goes out of service. Snow piles and berms also accumulate on the ramp and taxiway edges during this period. Operators planning winter arrivals at YAK should account for these seasonal limitations.