โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
110
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Selawik Airport is a state-owned Northwest Arctic village airport serving a roadless Inupiat community west of Kobuk Lake. The airfield is central to local life because Selawik has no highway connection to the rest of Alaska and relies on aviation for passenger travel, mail, groceries, medical access, and time-sensitive freight.
That dependence sits alongside the village's own transport pattern. State transportation work in Selawik has focused on boardwalks and access roads within the community, which underlines that the airport feeds directly into a tundra settlement rather than into a normal road network.
WLK should therefore be read as a genuine village lifeline airport in rural Alaska, with gravel-strip practicality and daily importance that far outweigh any formal terminal infrastructure.
๐ Connection Tips
Selawik Airport serves an Iรฑupiat Eskimo village of 828 residents located at the mouth of the Selawik River, 70 miles southeast of Kotzebue in Alaska's Northwest Arctic Borough. The state-owned facility operates two gravel runways (3,002-foot and 2,659-foot) at just 17 feet elevation, with Bering Air providing essential passenger and cargo service connecting this remote community to the regional hub at Kotzebue. The airport plays a crucial role in supporting subsistence activities that define village life, including caribou and moose hunting, whitefish and sheefish fishing, and seasonal berry gathering that sustain the traditional Iรฑupiat way of life.
Winter operations are particularly challenging, with extreme cold, limited daylight, and potential whiteout conditions requiring flexible scheduling and robust aircraft winterization. The community relies heavily on the airport for medical evacuations, supply deliveries, and connecting to winter snowmachine trail networks that link surrounding villages. Ground transportation in the village typically involves ATVs in summer and snowmachines in winter, as there are no road connections to the outside world.
The airport serves the broader Selawik National Wildlife Refuge region, where residents continue traditional hunting and fishing practices protected under federal subsistence laws. Fuel supplies and basic maintenance services are available, though logistics become more complicated during winter months when river and maritime transport routes freeze. The facility operates under challenging Arctic conditions that require specialized equipment and procedures to ensure safe operations throughout the year-round service that keeps this isolated community connected to essential services and the broader regional network.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the primary international airport serving New Mexico, located just three miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. The airport boasts a distinctive Pueblo-style architectural terminal, which is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. This single, multi-level terminal efficiently manages all arrivals and departures, featuring a logical layout designed for passenger convenience. The lower level is dedicated to arriving passengers, housing baggage claim areas (three in total to serve Concourses A and B) and providing direct exits to ground transportation.
The upper level of the terminal is the departure zone, where travelers will find airline ticketing counters, security checkpoints, and access to the two main concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B. Concourse A primarily serves American Airlines, Delta, and United, while Southwest Airlines predominantly operates out of Concourse B. The terminal has a total of 22 gates, ensuring ample capacity for its scheduled domestic flights and limited international services. Recent upgrades include a TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project, which has enhanced security screening with up to four lanes and modern passenger amenities like new escalators and elevators.
Amenities at ABQ are comprehensive for a regional international facility. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, numerous charging stations, a variety of shops (including those offering local artisanal gifts), and diverse dining options ranging from cafes and fast-food outlets to restaurants serving New Mexican cuisine. Additional facilities like a Meditation Room and an observation deck contribute to a comfortable travel experience, complemented by a notable art collection displayed throughout the terminal.
๐ Connection Tips
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) offers excellent ground transportation connectivity just 3 miles southeast of downtown. ABQ RIDE provides completely free bus service (fare-free since November 2023) with Route 50 connecting the airport to downtown via Union Square Bus Station every 15-30 minutes, taking just 24 minutes total - the bus stop is conveniently located on the lower level at the west end of the shuttle island. Route 50 also connects to the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown where passengers can transfer to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Rail Runner connections are enhanced through Route 350 (Railrunner Connecting bus) and free bus transfers when you have a valid Rail Runner ticket purchased in advance online or via mobile app - otherwise pay the driver a $1 fare each way. Official taxi service is available with fares starting at $35 to downtown Albuquerque through companies like ABQ Metro Taxi (505-450-8580) and Aspen Rides (505-388-3692). Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft requires pre-booking as street hailing is not permitted.
For Santa Fe destinations, Groome Transportation operates 30 daily trips taking 75 minutes with variable pricing, while RoadRunner Charter provides door-to-door service to Santa Fe and Los Alamos areas. The Rail Runner Express connects Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Belen with convenient airport shuttle connections. Recent December 2025 improvements under the ABQ RIDE Forward Network Plan enhanced transit connectivity throughout the metropolitan area.
โ Back to Selawik Airport