Annette Island Airport: The Historical Gateway to Ketchikan
Before the modern era of aviation in Southeast Alaska, the Annette Island Airport served as the critical lifeline for the region. Until 1973, it functioned as the primary airfield for scheduled passenger services serving Ketchikan, located approximately 20 air miles to the north. Because Ketchikan lacked a primary land-based airport at the time, Annette Island became the hub where long-haul flights landed before passengers transitioned to local transport.
Key Facts
- Primary Role: Served as Ketchikan's main scheduled passenger airfield until 1973.
- Major Carriers: Operated by Pan American World Airways, Pacific Northern Airlines, Western Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.
- Aircraft Evolution: Transitioned from prop-driven Douglas DC-4s to Boeing 707 and 720 jetliners.
- Connectivity: Linked Southeast Alaska to major hubs including Seattle, Juneau, Anchorage, and cities as far as Los Angeles.
- Transition: Scheduled jet services ceased in 1973 upon the opening of Ketchikan International Airport (KTN).
The Era of Propeller Aircraft
In the post-war period of 1947, Pan American World Airways established a strong presence at Annette Island. Utilizing Douglas DC-4 prop aircraft, Pan Am provided daily nonstop service to Seattle and Juneau. The airline also facilitated expansive regional connectivity, offering twice-weekly flights to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of Canada via Juneau, with further extensions to Fairbanks, Galena, and Nome in Alaska.
As aviation technology advanced, Pan Am upgraded its fleet at the airport to include the Douglas DC-6B and the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser. By the late 1950s, Pacific Northern Airlines (PNA)—the successor to Woodley Airways—entered the fray. PNA utilized Lockheed Constellation propliners to offer nonstop flights to Seattle and Juneau, as well as direct services to Anchorage, Cordova, and Yakutat.
The Transition to Jet Service
The early 1960s marked a technological leap for the airport with the introduction of jet aircraft. In 1963, Pan Am began operating Boeing 707 jetliners on a daily roundtrip route connecting Seattle, Annette Island, and Juneau.
By 1965, Pacific Northern Airlines had also adopted jet technology, utilizing Boeing 720s for nonstop flights to Seattle and Juneau, and direct services to Anchorage via Juneau. The landscape shifted in 1967 when Pacific Northern was acquired by and merged into Western Airlines. Western expanded the airport's reach; by 1968, they were using Boeing 720B jetliners to provide nonstop service to Seattle and Juneau, and direct flights to Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The final era of major carrier competition occurred in 1971, when the federal Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) granted Alaska Airlines new route authority. This allowed Alaska Airlines to introduce its own jet service to Annette Island, effectively replacing Western Airlines.
Local Connectivity and the Shift to KTN
While large jets handled long-distance travel, Alaska Airlines also managed the "short hop" between Annette Island Airport and the Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base. This was achieved using amphibian aircraft—planes capable of landing on both land and water—specifically the Super Catalina and Grumman Goose. These flights connected passengers to Ketchikan and various other local destinations throughout southeast Alaska.
This era came to a close in 1973 with the opening of the Ketchikan International Airport (KTN). Once KTN became operational, all scheduled passenger jet flights moved to the new facility, ending Annette Island's tenure as the primary aviation gateway for the city.
| Airline | Key Aircraft Used | Primary Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Pan American World Airways | DC-4, DC-6B, Boeing 377, Boeing 707 | Seattle, Juneau, Whitehorse, Fairbanks, Galena, Nome |
| Pacific Northern Airlines | Lockheed Constellation, Boeing 720 | Seattle, Juneau, Anchorage, Cordova, Yakutat |
| Western Airlines | Boeing 720B | Seattle, Juneau, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles |
| Alaska Airlines | Jets, Super Catalina, Grumman Goose | Annette Island to Ketchikan Harbor and local SE Alaska |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Annette Island Airport used instead of an airport in Ketchikan?
Prior to the opening of Ketchikan International Airport in 1973, Annette Island served as the primary airfield for scheduled passenger service because Ketchikan did not have a suitable land-based international airport for large aircraft.
Which airlines operated the first jet services at the airport?
Pan Am introduced the first jet service in 1963 with the Boeing 707, followed by Pacific Northern Airlines in 1965 with the Boeing 720.
How did passengers get from Annette Island to Ketchikan?
Passengers often used short-hop flights operated by Alaska Airlines using amphibian aircraft, such as the Super Catalina and Grumman Goose, to travel between the airport and the Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base.
What happened to the airport's scheduled services in 1973?
All scheduled passenger jet flights moved to the newly opened Ketchikan International Airport (KTN), resulting in the loss of these services at Annette Island.
Which major U.S. cities were reachable via Annette Island?
Through Western Airlines, passengers could access direct, no-change-of-plane flights to Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, in addition to the frequent service to Seattle.