Merrill Field (MRI)

Merrill Field is Anchorage's primary general aviation airport, located about one mile east of downtown on 436 acres. Established in 1930, it was the first real airport in the city and was dedicated in 1932 in honour of early Alaskan aviator Russel Hyde Merrill. As a public-use general aviation airport, Merrill Field serves as a reliever for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and is a major link between Anchorage and communities across Alaska. It supports private aviation, air taxi operations and flight training, with more than 150,000 flight operations in a typical year. The airport does not have traditional passenger terminals; air taxi, charter and private aviation passengers are handled through fixed-base operators and aviation businesses. Aircraft are generally restricted to 12,500 pounds or less, and the airfield remains open around the clock with a control tower staffed during daytime hours. Merrill Field's downtown location makes Anchorage quick to reach by taxi, rideshare, rental car or private transfer, and its position supports easy onward travel to destinations across Southcentral Alaska.