Old Harbor Airport (OLH)

Old Harbor Airport (OLH) is a critical state-owned aviation facility located two nautical miles northeast of the village of Old Harbor on the southeast coast of Kodiak Island, Alaska. The airport features a 2,750-foot gravel runway (3/21) at 55 feet elevation, designed to support small turboprop aircraft and private charters that serve as the primary lifeline for this remote Alutiiq community with no road access to the outside world. The terminal is a basic, functional structure focused on essential passenger and cargo processing for regional bush plane operations.

Facilities at OLH are extremely minimal, reflecting its role as a remote transport hub rather than a traditional commercial airport. There are no retail, dining, or standard passenger amenities such as Wi-Fi or vending machines available on-site. The airport primarily supports regional carriers like Island Air Service, which provide essential connections to Kodiak Airport (ADQ), the main regional hub. Due to its coastal location in the Kodiak Island Borough, the facility serves as a vital link for the local indigenous community, supporting delivery of mail, medical supplies, and administrative travel.

Operational activity is conducted under visual flight rules with an unlit, unattended runway managed by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. Travelers should be prepared for the informal nature of bush aviation and complete lack of traditional airport services. The gravel surface is maintained despite the challenging maritime environment with frequent fog and high winds. Its proximity to the village center makes it the sole entry point for visitors to the region's world-class brown bear viewing areas, fishing lodges, and historic Russian Orthodox church dating to the 1800s.