Selawik Airport

Selawik Airport sits on the tundra flats southwest of the village, connected by a gravel road that runs roughly two miles from the center of Selawik. With a single gravel runway (Runway 6/24) measuring about 4,000 feet, the airport serves as the primary year-round link for a community of around 850 people living on the Selawik River in northwestern Alaska. No road connects Selawik to any other settlement; air travel and seasonal river transportation are the only options. The airport is designated IATA code WLK and ICAO code PAWK, and is also the location of the Selawik VOR-DME navigational beacon (frequency 114.2 MHz). Flights are infrequent and weather-dependent, operated primarily by bush carriers using small aircraft such as the Cessna 208 Caravan or Piper Navajo. The airport's schedule reflects the rhythms of village life: Mondays see peak traffic around 1 pm, Tuesdays at 8 am, Wednesdays at 2 pm, and Thursdays at 11 am. Outside these hours, the terminal is often unstaffed and closed, with no guarantee of service.

Getting There

Selawik is reachable only by air from Kotzebue, the regional hub about 60 miles to the northwest. Regularly scheduled flights are operated by Bering Air and Ryan Air, with a flight time of roughly 30 to 45 minutes. The fare varies, but a one-way ticket typically costs between $150 and $250, depending on demand and booking window. Alternatively, chartered flights can be arranged from Kotzebue or other villages, but expect significantly higher costs. There is no road from the airport to anywhere beyond Selawik, and no public transportation. Upon arrival, most passengers walk the two miles into the village or arrange a ride with someone they know. The gravel access road is passable by car or ATV, but visitors should not expect a taxi service. Those arriving by personal aircraft will find tie-downs and a self-serve fuel pump (Jet A1 and avgas) but no maintenance facilities. The airport is unattended outside published hours, so pilots must self-announce on Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) 122.7 MHz. Approach lighting is not available, and runway lighting is limited – pilots must check NOTAMs for current status.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single-story wooden structure with a waiting area, a check-in counter, and a basic restroom. There are no shops, no restaurants, and no vending machines. Passengers should arrive with their own food and water. The waiting area has a half-dozen plastic chairs and a phone with local calling capabilities only. Heating is provided by a wood stove, which is usually lit during operating hours but can be cold during off-hours. Security screening is minimal: there is no TSA checkpoint for passengers small aircraft; bags may be visually inspected by the pilot or airline staff before boarding. Boarding involves walking across the gravel apron to the aircraft – no jet bridge. The terminal is not wheelchair accessible in the conventional sense (no ramps or automatic doors), though airline staff can assist if notified in advance. Cell phone reception is spotty; the village has limited cellular service from GCI, but inside the terminal connectivity is unreliable. There is no Wi-Fi. Passengers departing Selawik should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure to allow for check-in, though the informal nature of bush flying means that flights often depart when the pilot determines conditions are suitable, not necessarily at the printed time.

Selawik VOR-DME WLK 114.2 and Selawik

The Selawik VOR-DME (Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range with Distance Measuring Equipment) operates on 114.2 MHz and provides navigation guidance for aircraft in the remote region. While the airport guide focuses on the passenger terminal, the beacon is a critical piece of infrastructure for pilots navigating Alaska’s vast, featureless terrain. The VOR-DME is located near the runway and is maintained by the FAA. Its presence underscores the airport’s role as a waypoint in the broader network of rural Alaska aviation. For passengers, understanding the VOR-DME adds context: this is not just a village strip but a point on the national airspace system that connects Selawik to the outside world.

Selawik itself is a small Iñupiaq village situated on the banks of the Selawik River, about 60 miles east of Kotzebue. The name comes from the Iñupiaq word “siilvik,” meaning “place of sheefish” – a reference to the abundant sheefish (a type of whitefish) found in the river. Subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering remain central to the local economy and culture. Visitors to Selawik will find a community deeply connected to the land, with traditional practices like ice fishing, berry picking, and caribou hunting still common. The village lacks tourist infrastructure: there is no hotel, no restaurant, and no formal guiding service. However, the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses vast wetlands and tundra, draws birders and hunters willing to arrange trips through Kotzebue-based outfitters. The refuge is famous for its waterfowl populations, including tundra swans, geese, and migratory shorebirds. In winter, the landscape becomes a frozen expanse where dog sledding and snowmobiling are practical transportation. Summer brings the midnight sun and the opportunity to experience the seaward migration of sheefish. For those arriving at the airport, the two-mile walk or ride into town provides a first glimpse of the stark beauty of the tundra and the Selawik River. The village has a store, a school, a health clinic, and a church. Residents speak English and Iñupiaq. Visitors should be respectful of local customs, ask permission before photographing people, and understand that the community is small and tightly-knit.

Practical Information

Selawik Airport is not open daily. Based on the busiest times, operations appear to be concentrated on Monday through Thursday. The terminal is typically open only during scheduled flight times, which align with the peak hours given: Monday 1 pm, Tuesday 8 am, Wednesday 2 pm, Thursday 11 am. Outside these windows, the building may be locked and unstaffed. It is essential to check with your airline (Bering Air: 907-442-3943; Ryan Air: 907-842-5122) for exact departure times and terminal availability. There is no public phone number for the airport itself. The airport does not have a website. For flight tracking, use FlightAware with the code PAWK. There is no local taxi or rental car; plan to coordinate ground transportation before arrival. If you are staying in Selawik, arrange with a friend or the village council to meet your flight. Pack all necessities (food, water, medications, extra layers) as none are available at the terminal. The best single piece of advice: call ahead to confirm your flight is still scheduled, and if possible, arrive in Kotzebue a day early to avoid the risk of weather cancellations. Bush flying in Alaska is unpredictable; flexibility is the key to a smooth journey.