Valdez Pioneer Field guide

Valdez Pioneer Field (ICAO PAVD), also called Valdez Airport, is a state-owned public airport about 3 miles east of downtown Valdez, Alaska. The town sits at the head of Port Valdez on Prince William Sound, and the airport is the main air link for residents and for visitors heading to the port.

The field has one grooved asphalt runway, 6/24, measuring 6,500 by 150 feet. Runway 6 has a MALSR approach lighting system and a PAPI. Runway 24 has runway end identifier lights. Aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats need written permission from the airport manager 24 hours ahead.

Reeve Air Alaska flies scheduled service to Anchorage and Fairbanks. Alaska Airlines flew a Boeing 727 nonstop to Anchorage in the mid-1970s, and Era Aviation flew Convair 580 and Dash 7 turboprops in the 1980s. The FAA recorded about 10,300 aircraft operations in the 12 months ending December 2021, roughly 28 a day, split among general aviation, air taxi, commercial and military flights. About 35 aircraft were based at the field.