Alaska(AK)

Alaska has adopted one of the most specialized AAM strategies in the nation, viewing electric and autonomous aviation not as a luxury, but as a critical necessity for survival and commerce. As of January 2026, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is implementing the Alaska Advanced Air Mobility Strategy (2025–2030), which prioritizes community resilience, flight safety, and food security.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

Alaska’s strategy is a direct response to unique regional challenges, including the highest rate of midair collisions in the U.S. and extreme rural food insecurity.

• Modernizing the Air Traffic System: The state is investing in automated surveillance and air traffic systems to maintain continuity during adverse weather—conditions that currently ground 10-20% of flights.
• Infrastructure Retrofits: DOT&PF is focusing on "Smart Infrastructure" that integrates uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) into the state’s 230+ public airports, ensuring that remote villages can be reached via autonomous cargo pods.
• Regulatory Safety Goals: The strategic plan sets an ambitious target to reduce aviation accidents by 45% (from 82 to 37 or fewer annually) by leveraging autonomous detect-and-avoid technologies.

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

Alaska serves as the ultimate "stress test" for AAM manufacturers focusing on harsh environments and heavy-lift logistics.

• Food Security Pilots: A 2026 pilot program aims to reduce air-transport food spoilage by 15% by using temperature-controlled autonomous eVTOLs for "last-mile" delivery to the North Slope and Interior regions.
• Emergency Response: DOT&PF is testing autonomous aircraft for search and rescue (SAR) and medical evacuations, with a goal of improving emergency response times by 30% in areas inaccessible by road.
• Cold-Weather Certification: The state is actively courting manufacturers like Reliable Robotics and Beta Technologies to utilize Alaska’s climate for battery-endurance and icing-protection certification.

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• Alaska Advanced Air Mobility Strategy (Full PDF): alaskaasp.com/AAM-Strategy
• DOT&PF 2026 Action Plan: dot.alaska.gov/actionplan