Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport

Overview

Wiley Post Will Rogers Memorial Airport is the main air gateway for Utqiaġvik in northern Alaska, serving one of the most remote communities in the United States. Listed under IATA code BRW and ICAO code PABR, it is a medium airport that plays an outsized role in local travel, supporting residents, business traffic, and visitors heading into the Arctic. Its low elevation of 44 feet above sea level also reflects its coastal setting, where weather and visibility can shape daily operations more than at many lower-latitude airports.

What Travellers Should Know

• The airport serves Utqiaġvik, so it is the key arrival point for travelers visiting Alaska’s far north.
• BRW is the code most passengers will see on tickets and baggage tags, while PABR is used in aviation operations.
• The airport operates in the America/Anchorage time zone, which is important when checking flight times and connections.
• Its status as a medium airport suggests practical facilities rather than a huge terminal, so expect function over frills.
• Because this is Arctic travel, allow extra flexibility for weather-related delays, especially in winter and shoulder seasons.

Airfield And Access

The airport has one runway, 08/26, measuring 7,100 feet and surfaced in asphalt, and it is lighted for operations in low-light conditions. For travelers, that means the airfield is built to support dependable access in a region where darkness, cold, and changing weather are part of normal flying conditions. Even with that infrastructure, it is wise to arrive prepared, keep warm clothing close at hand, and monitor schedule updates carefully when traveling through BRW.