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CDB · medium airport

Cold Bay Airport

Cold Bay, United States

Airports
CDBmedium airport

Cold Bay Airport

Cold Bay, United States
Explore Cold Bay city guide Navigate to this airport
5
Routes out
4
Destinations
PACD
ICAO
96 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Remote Alaska Peninsula gateway serving Cold Bay's strategic location.

Opened
1942
Location
Cold Bay, United States
Cold Bay Airport (IATA: CDB, ICAO: PACD) is a public-use airport located in Cold Bay, Alaska, on the Alaska Peninsula near the tip of the Aleutian chain. It serves as an essential lifeline for this small, isolated community, which has no road connections to the broader Alaska highway system. The airport is notable for possessing one of the longest runways in Alaska, a legacy of its origins as a major World War II military airfield known as Fort Randall. This extensive infrastructure makes it a viable emergency diversion point for transpacific flights crossing the North Pacific. Petersen Field, as it is sometimes referenced historically, is owned by the State of Alaska and primarily serves general aviation and scheduled commuter service. It plays a critical role in the region's transportation network, providing the only reliable access to Cold Bay for residents, cargo, and emergency services.
Terminals
The airport has a small, single terminal building suited to the low passenger volumes of this remote community.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options are extremely limited, as Cold Bay has no road connections outside the immediate town area, and the airport is accessible primarily on foot or by local vehicle.
Airlines here
PenAir (now part of Ravn Alaska operations) has historically provided scheduled service to Cold Bay, connecting it to other Alaska Peninsula communities and King Salmon.
Notable facts
  • ›Cold Bay Airport has one of the longest runways in Alaska, stretching approximately 10,400 feet, built during World War II.
  • ›The airport was constructed as Fort Randall Army Airfield during WWII and served as a key strategic base in the Aleutian Campaign.
  • ›Cold Bay has a population of fewer than 100 people, making its airport infrastructure disproportionately large relative to the town.
  • ›The airport is used as an emergency diversion airport for transpacific commercial flights due to its long runway.
  • ›Cold Bay is not connected to any road system outside the local area, making the airport the primary means of access to the community.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
A remote Alaskan gateway where wilderness meets the runway

Cold Bay Airport, located on the Alaska Peninsula near the tip of the Aleutian Chain, is one of Alaska's most historically significant airfields, originally built by the U.S. military during World War II. It features exceptionally long runways — among the longest in Alaska — reflecting its strategic wartime importance and its role supporting cargo and emergency operations. Today it primarily serves as a lifeline airport for the small community of Cold Bay and nearby Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A small, single-room terminal handling the limited scheduled and charter flights serving Cold Bay's remote community.
Ground Transport
  • Rental vehicles (limited local availability)
  • Taxi or private vehicle by local arrangement
Nearby Hotels
  • Cold Bay Lodge
Dining

Dining options at Cold Bay Airport are extremely limited given the remote location and very small community. Visitors should plan to bring provisions or arrange meals through their lodging, as the Cold Bay Lodge is essentially the primary hospitality option in the area.

Traveller Tips
  • Cold Bay is extremely remote — book lodging and transport well in advance as options are very scarce.
  • Weather changes rapidly on the Alaska Peninsula; expect potential flight delays due to wind, fog, and storms.
  • The airport's long runways occasionally serve as emergency diversion points for transpacific flights.
  • Izembek National Wildlife Refuge nearby offers world-class birding and wildlife viewing for nature travelers.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (4 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

CDB → ANCAS · SF3
CDB → KFPGV · BEC
CDB → KVCGV · BEC
CDB → NLGGV · BEC
CDB → ANCKS · SF3

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Cold Bay Airport
Encyclopaedia

Cold Bay Airport is a state owned, public use airport located in Cold Bay, a city in the Aleutians East Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. First built as a United States Army Air Forces airfield during World War II, it is one of the main airports serving the Alaska Peninsula. Scheduled passenger service is available and air taxi operators fly in and out of the airport daily. Formerly, the airport operated as Thornbrough Air Force Base.

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