History of aviation in Alaska

Aviation in Alaska has a distinct history. Since the road system is largely confined to the major population centers, air service to the Interior and western Alaska, as well as the Aleutian Islands, allowed for the influx of settlers, the year-round contact of villages with the state's larger cities and services, and rapid transportation of people and goods throughout the state.

Commercial service

Commercial service in Alaska began with Wien Air Alaska in 1927. It expanded in the 1930s with Pacific Alaska Airways, Barnhill & McGee Airways, McGee Airways and Star Air Service, with the latter two eventually becoming the core of Alaska Airlines in 1944. Federal subsidies enable Essential Air Services in Alaska to continue, provided by airlines such as PenAir, Warbelow's Air Ventures, Wings of Alaska, Taquan Air, and Servant Air.

History of Alaska
Prehistory
Russian America (1733–1867)
Department of Alaska (1867–1884)
District of Alaska (1884–1912)
Territory of Alaska (1912–1959)
State of Alaska (1959–present)
Other topics

Notable pilots

• Carl Ben Eielson (1897–1929)
• Linious McGee (1897–1968)
• Russel Hyde Merrill (1894–1929)
• Ingrid Pederson, first woman to fly a small airplane over the North Pole
• Noel Wien (1899–1977)
• Roy S Dickson (1901-1958)

See also

• History of Alaska, History of aviation
• Alaska World War II Army Airfields
• Northwest Staging Route
• List of airlines in Alaska
• List of airports in Alaska, Weeks Field