Ravn Alaska is currently not flying into the village of Newtok. The air carrier is waiting until contractors hired by the Department of Transportation finish resurfacing the runway. The DOT project is to resurface, or cap, the runway, taxiway, and the apron of Newtok’s airport.
There has been a delay in the capping process, which began when some materials were damaged and left at the end of the runway, according to DOT officials. The contractors need to remove and replace the damaged material before the capping can begin.
The DOT stressed that the runway is not closed, but they have put out an advisory to the aviation community that it’s not currently functioning at its full length. So far, Ravn Alaska is the only commercial airline in the Y-K Delta to confirm that they will hold off on all flights to Newtok until the work is done.