Juneau International Airport

 

Juneau International Airport (IATA: JNU, ICAO: PAJN, FAA LID: JNU) is a city owned, public use airport and seaplane base located seven nautical miles (8 mi, 13 km) northwest of the central business district of Juneau, a city and borough in the U.S. state of Alaska which has no direct road access to the outside world. The airport serves as a regional hub for all air travel, from bush carriers to a major U.S. air carrier, Alaska Airlines. Another major air carrier, Delta Air Lines, also operates flights with mainline jet aircraft from the airport although this service is seasonal in nature.

The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2015-2019 categorized it as a primary commercial service (nonhub) airport based on 353,048 enplanements (boardings) in 2012. As per the Federal Aviation Administration, this airport had 378,741 passenger enplanements in calendar year 2008, 337,038 in 2009, and 344,057 in 2010.

A Brief History of Juneau’s Airport

As an isolated northern community, Juneau welcomed the exciting new era of aviation. The first airfield in Juneau was constructed for military operations in the 1930’s.

Commercial passenger service drove the development of a terminal at the Juneau Municipal Airport that was dedicated in the summer of 1949. This modern facility provided counters for the two major carriers, Pacific Northern and Pan American Airlines. Amenities included a nursery and comfortable waiting area.

Less than 10 years later, a two-story addition tripled the size of the terminal and added a cafe, offices, and air traffic tower. The airport was now an essential transportation link as Alaska entered statehood, and a popular destination for locals to socialize.

Another addition in 1973 allowed further services to be added, and the building was given a new front face as it was oriented toward Shell Simmons Drive. Automobile parking was relocated to the north side of the building.

By the 1980’s, the specific needs of two distinct types of commercial aviation (large commercial jets and small commuter air taxis) shaped the development of another large addtiion to the terminal. The increase of tourism and Juneau’s role as a regional hub also contributed to the design of the 1984 addition.

While many modifications have taken place, the terminal continues to have elements of every era of its 60 year history. Juneau is proud to be a gateway to Alaska and values the airport as a critical link to services throughout the region.

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Vehicle Purchase and Building Modifications

The ability to rapidly mobilize and respond to emergencies on the airfield is a key role of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit. In early 2015, JNU began planning for replacement of its aging ARFF fleet and determined that one of its two vehicles, at 22 years old, was particularly difficult and costly to maintain/repair.

When evaluating replacement options for the old ARFF vehicle, JNU considered efficiency and emissions output. New ARFF trucks are built for faster acceleration on a lighter weight body. They burn less fuel per gallon and meet contemporary EPA air emissions standards, both desirable attributes.

JNU went out to bid for a new vehicle and, in spring 2016, purchased a Rosenbauer Panther at a cost of approximately $650,000. JNU’s need and justification for a new ARFF truck made it eligible for FAA funding at 93.75% of the total cost. 

New Rosenbauer Panther ARFF vehicle.

During the scoping process it became apparent that the existing storage bays in the ARFF building were undersized and would need to be remodeled to accommodate the new, larger vehicle. After examining a number of design options, a preferred option emerged that entailed modifying existing bays to create taller, deeper and longer ones, slightly expanding the footprint of the building.

The building design team included:

• Jensen Yorba Lott, Inc. – architecture;
• PND Engineers, Inc. – civil and structural engineering;
• Murray & Associates, P.C.(now PDC Engineers)  – mechanical engineering; and
• Begenyi Engineering, LLC – electrical engineering.

Dawson Construction is the contractor. The construction team includes local sub-contractors and laborers. The building modifications will cost approximately $1.8 million. 93.75% of the total construction cost is eligible for reimbursement through an FAA grant.

Demolition of the old bays began in October and construction is now underway. Project completion is anticipated by the end of June 2017.

East corner of new south wall.

FAA INFORMATION EFFECTIVE 25 MAY 2017

FAA Identifier: JNU

Lat/Long: 58-21-16.9625N / 134-34-42.4939W
58-21.282708N / 134-34.708232W
58.3547118 / -134.5784705
(estimated)

Elevation: 25.3 ft. / 8 m (estimated)

Variation: 20E (2015)

From city: 7 miles NW of JUNEAU, AK

Time zone: UTC -8 (UTC -9 during Standard Time)

Zip code: 99801

Airport Operations

Airport use: Open to the public

Activation date: 11/1941

Control tower: yes

ARTCC: ANCHORAGE CENTER

FSS: JUNEAU FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (on field) [907-586-7382]
CTC JUNEAU FSS FOR AIRPORT ADVISORY SERVICE ON 118.7 WHEN TOWER IS CLSD.

NOTAMs facility: JNU (NOTAM-D service available)

Attendance: CONTINUOUS

Pattern altitude: 1525.3 ft. MSL

Wind indicator: lighted

Segmented circle: yes

Lights: FOR HIRL RY 08/26, MALSF RY 08 & REIL RY 26 CTC JNU ATCT ON FREQ 118.7. WHEN ATCT CLSD CTC JNU FSS ON FREQ 118.7. VASI RY 08 & PAPI RY 26 OPER 24 HRS.

Beacon: white-green (lighted land airport)
Operates sunset to sunrise.

Landing fee: yes

Fire and rescue: ARFF index C

International operations: international airport of entry

Airport Communications

CTAF: 118.7

UNICOM: 122.95

ATIS: 135.2

WX ASOS: PHONE 907-789-1243

JUNEAU GROUND: 121.9 [1 APR – SEP 30 0600 – 2300, 1 OCT – MAR 31, 0700 – 2000.]

JUNEAU TOWER: 118.7 278.3 [1 APR – SEP 30 0600 – 2300, 1 OCT – MAR 31, 0700 – 2000.]

CLEARANCE DELIVERY: 121.9

NG OPS: 124.65 64.7

SEASONAL USE ONLY.: 120.7

• APCH/DEP SERVICE PROVIDED BY ANCHORAGE ARTCC ON FREQ 133.9 (MOUNT ROBERT BARRON RCAG).
• JUNEAU INTL SEAPLANE BASIN CONTACT JUNEAU TWR ON FREQ 118.7 FOR TAXI; TAKE-OFF; AND LANDING INSTRUCTIONS. WATERLANE CONTROLLED BY JUNEAU ATCT. TAXING ACFT SHOULD TAXI CLOCKWISE AROUND THE OUTER EDGE OF FLOAT POND.
• BTN MAY & SEP AN ADDITIONAL LC FREQ OF 120.7 WILL BE IN USE. ITS USE WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA THE ATIS. ALL OTR TIME USE 118.7 AS LC.
• CTC JUNEAU FSS ON 118.7 FOR ADVISORY SVC WHEN JNU TWR CLOSED.

Airport location

1873 Shell Simmons Drive, Juneau, AK 99801
(Appprox. 9 miles north of downtown Juneau)

Ticket counter

Daily: 3:30 am – 10:30 pm