Northway Airport (ORT)

Northway Airport (ORT) is a state-owned aviation facility located in Northway, Alaska, primarily functioning as a U.S. Customs 'Landing Rights' airport for aircraft entering the United States from Canada. The airport is largely unattended and does not feature a traditional passenger terminal building with commercial amenities. Instead, the primary structure on-site is a Flight Service Station (FSS) that operates seasonally from May to September. Facilities at the airport are extremely minimal, with no on-site commercial dining, retail shops, or passenger lounges. Since the permanent closure of the Northway Lodge in 2010, there are no lodging options available at the airfield, and travelers typically continue to Tok, Alaska, for these services. While the airport provides essential transit for international arrivals, pilots must coordinate directly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, who drive from the border to meet scheduled arrivals. Operationally, the airport features a 5,100-foot asphalt runway (06/24) situated at an elevation of 1,715 feet. During the winter months, the facility is unattended and snow removal is conducted based on regional availability, requiring pilots to check current NOTAMs and perform visual inspections. Ground transportation is informal and limited, with most travelers utilizing the airport as a technical stop for customs clearance before proceeding to Tok or other Alaskan hubs.