Point Lay Lrrs Airport (PIZ)

Point Lay LRRS Airport (PIZ) is a small state-owned domestic aviation facility located on the Chukchi Sea coast in Alaska, approximately 1 mile south of the village center. The airport primarily serves as a vital infrastructure lifeline for the remote community of Point Lay and functions as a Long Range Radar Site (LRRS) under the management of the North Slope Borough. It acts as a critical link for the transport of essential mail, medical supplies, and local residents, primarily connecting the community to the regional hub of Utqiaġvik (Barrow). Facilities at the airstrip are extremely minimal and reflect its status as a functional Arctic transit point rather than a commercial transport hub. The airport operates from a single, compact facility that provides a basic sheltered waiting area for travelers, but lacks modern commercial amenities such as retail shops, restaurants, or currency exchange bureaus. Since the facility is generally unattended by permanent airport staff, most passenger services and flight information are handled directly by regional carriers like Wright Air Service. Travelers are strongly advised to be completely self-sufficient and must handle all logistical needs, including food and water, within the village prior to arrival. The airfield features a single 4,500-foot gravel runway (06/24) situated at an elevation of 25 feet above sea level. Operationally, the facility is designated as a 'Cold Temperature Airport,' requiring specialized altitude corrections for pilots when temperatures drop below -33°C. Ground transportation to the Point Lay village is informal, with no dedicated taxi or rental services stationed at the airstrip; visitors typically utilize local ATVs or snow machines to reach their final destination, as the area has no connecting road links to the national highway system.