Welke Airport

Welke Airport sits on the northeastern edge of Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan, serving as the primary aviation link for a community of around 600 year-round residents and a seasonal influx of tourists and property owners. The airport has a single asphalt runway measuring 3,500 feet, adequate for the Cessna Caravans and Piper Navajos operated by Island Airways. There are no jet bridges or baggage carousels here—just a simple terminal building where passengers walk across the tarmac to board. The airport is open only when flights are scheduled, primarily from mid-May through October, with reduced service in winter. Island Airways runs multiple daily flights from Charlevoix, Michigan, a 20-minute flight that skims over the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan. For many visitors, this short flight is the first hint that Beaver Island is different—quieter, more remote, and fiercely independent.

Getting There

Reaching Welke Airport means first getting to Beaver Island. From the mainland, the most common approach is via Island Airways from Charlevoix Municipal Airport. The flight takes about 20 minutes and costs roughly $80 one-way (prices vary seasonally). Charlevoix is about a 4-hour drive from Detroit or 5 hours from Chicago. If you prefer a more leisurely route, the Beaver Island Ferry runs from Charlevoix from May through October, taking 2.5 hours. Once on the island, the airport is 2 miles from the ferry dock in St. James. Taxis are available but limited; many visitors rent bikes or bring a car on the ferry. The drive from the ferry dock to the airport takes five minutes along a paved road through forest. There is no public transport. Car rentals are available on the island—reserve ahead. If you fly in, you’ll step off the plane directly onto the tarmac and walk 50 feet to the terminal entrance.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Welke Airport is compact but functional. A single room serves as both waiting area and check-in counter. The decor is no-nonsense: linoleum floors, a few plastic chairs, and a counter where staff weigh your luggage and issue boarding passes by hand. There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible car park next to the door. The toilet is clean and also wheelchair-accessible. There is no café, gift shop, or vending machine—come prepared with snacks and water. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Staff often call passengers by name, and there is rarely a queue. Security is minimal; you pass through a metal detector if the agent is present, but the process takes seconds. The busiest times are Monday at 9 am, Tuesday at 3 pm, Wednesday at 10 am, and Thursday at 12 pm, when flights to Charlevoix fill up. On summer weekend mornings, the terminal can feel busy with families and fishing groups, but it never approaches chaos. There are no TVs or flight information screens—the staff simply announces departures. Check-in is recommended 45 minutes before departure, though 30 minutes is usually fine.

Welke Airport and Beaver Island

Beaver Island is the kind of place that changes how you think about time. At 55 square miles, it is the largest island in Lake Michigan, yet it feels like a world apart. The permanent population of roughly 600 swells to several thousand in summer, but even then the island retains a quiet, unhurried rhythm. The airport is the island’s lifeline: mail, medical supplies, and many goods arrive via Island Airways. In winter, when lake-effect snow can close the ferry for days, the airport becomes the only reliable link to the mainland.

The island’s history is unusual. In the 1850s, it was the base of a Mormon sect led by James Strang, who crowned himself king—the only man ever to be crowned a monarch on U.S. soil. Strang was assassinated in 1856, his kingdom dissolved, and the island was later settled by Irish immigrants. Today, the Irish heritage is visible in street names, festivals, and the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade that takes over the main village of St. James.

Visitors come for the beaches—sandy, uncrowded, and washed by clear freshwater so clean you can see the bottom at 20 feet. The island’s interior has miles of forest roads perfect for cycling and hiking. The Beaver Island Lighthouse, built in 1851, is open for tours and offers panoramic views of the lake. Fishing is excellent: lake trout, salmon, and smallmouth bass attract anglers year-round. The island has a handful of restaurants (some with surprisingly good food), a grocery store, and a brewery. There are no traffic lights, no chain stores, and no fast food. The pace suits those who want to disconnect—cell service is spotty, and Wi-Fi is slow.

Welke Airport itself is an icon. Its unassuming terminal, the sound of single-engine aircraft, the sight of the pilot helping load baggage—all reinforce that this is a community airport in the truest sense. Many travelers develop a loyalty to Island Airways and its staff, who are consistently described as helpful and respectful. The airline keeps its aircraft well-maintained, and prices are reasonable compared to other remote destinations. For anyone flying to Beaver Island, the airport is not just a transit point; it is the first and last impression of a very special place.

Practical Information

Welke Airport does not operate every day in winter; flights are scheduled based on demand and weather. Confirm your flight with Island Airways before arriving. The airport is open only when flights are scheduled, so don’t plan to wait inside for hours—there is no overnight stay. Busiest days and times: Monday 9 am, Tuesday 3 pm, Wednesday 10 am, Thursday 12 pm. Plan to arrive at these times if you want to avoid crowds (though the terminal is small). The airport’s website (https://islandairways.com/) provides the most current schedule and rates. For questions, call +1 231-448-2071. There is no ATM at the airport; bring cash if you need it. There is no car rental desk at the airport; arrange rentals in St. James before you fly out. If you are departing, remind the staff to call a taxi if you have no ride. One final piece of advice: reserve your flight well in advance during July and August, as seats fill up weeks ahead.