"Before Ketchikan Had an Airport, There Was Annette Island"
Before there was Ketchikan International, there was Annette Island Airport — the bustling hub that once connected Southeast Alaska to the outside world.
Tucked away on Annette Island, just 20 miles south of Ketchikan, lies a forgotten piece of Alaska's aviation history. Annette Island Airport (IATA: ANN) was once the lifeline for travelers, freight, and mail coming into the Tongass region. Its story is one of military necessity, rugged pioneering, and the early days of commercial aviation in one of the most remote corners of the country.
The Birth of Annette Island Airport
Annette Island Airport owes its origins to World War II. In 1941, as global tensions mounted and Alaska's strategic importance became undeniable, the U.S. military established the airfield on Annette Island to serve as a vital defense post and refueling station. Built to military standards with two paved runways, the airport played a crucial role in the defense of the North Pacific.
The airfield's location was no accident. Annette Island is part of the Annette Islands Reserve, home to the Tsimshian community of Metlakatla — Alaska's only Indian Reserve. With cooperative agreements in place, the land became an essential transportation link, and after the war, it transitioned into a commercial aviation hub.
The Golden Era: Airlines That Served Annette Island
Following the war, Annette Island Airport became the primary air gateway for Southeast Alaska, especially for Ketchikan and surrounding communities. Throughout the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, the airport saw regular commercial service from major U.S. airlines — a remarkable feat given its remote island location.
Notable Airlines That Served Annette Island:
✈ Pacific Northern Airlines (PNA)
PNA was one of the first major carriers to serve Annette Island. Their sleek Douglas DC-4 and Lockheed Constellation aircraft became familiar sights on the island's runways, connecting Ketchikan and Annette Island to Seattle and Anchorage.
✈ Pan American World Airways (Pan Am)
In its heyday, even Pan Am made stops at Annette Island Airport. The iconic blue globe logo represented global connections, with passengers traveling from Southeast Alaska to destinations far beyond.
✈ Alaska Airlines
Alaska's hometown carrier maintained regular flights to Annette Island, providing critical links to the rest of the state and Seattle. Their Convair 240s and Lockheed Electras carried both passengers and cargo through the rugged coastal weather.
✈ Canadian Pacific Airlines
Given Annette Island's proximity to British Columbia, Canadian Pacific operated flights through the airport, adding to the international flavor of this small but vital airfield.
During its prime, the airport's twin runways and terminal buzzed with activity. Passengers bound for Seattle, Anchorage, or Vancouver would take small boats or ferries from Ketchikan to Annette Island to catch their flights. It was a complicated journey by today's standards, but it was a marvel of logistics for the time — a critical link between isolated Southeast communities and the world beyond.
The Decline: The Rise of Ketchikan International
In 1973, the opening of Ketchikan International Airport on Gravina Island signaled the beginning of the end for Annette Island Airport's commercial significance. With a modern airport finally located directly across from Ketchikan proper, the days of ferry rides to Annette Island were numbered.
Commercial airlines quickly shifted their operations to the new facility, leaving Annette Island Airport to fade quietly into history. Over the years, the field saw decreasing traffic, with occasional private or charter flights using the runways.
The Legacy Lives On
Today, Annette Island Airport still exists, though it's a shadow of its former self. The runways remain, and the airfield is occasionally used for general aviation and as a backup for aircraft unable to land elsewhere due to weather.
For the people of Metlakatla, the airfield remains a reminder of their island's role in shaping regional transportation. And for aviation enthusiasts, it's a hidden landmark — a place where DC-4s, Lockheed Electras, and even Pan Am jets once touched down amid the wild beauty of Southeast Alaska.
The story of Annette Island Airport is more than just aviation history — it's a chapter in the tale of how Alaskans connected their communities to the broader world, one daring flight at a time.
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