[4] Construction began September 21, 1941, and the airfield was activated July 4, 1942; it was known as Bethel Air Base.

It was used by Air Transport Command as auxiliary airfield for Lend-Lease aircraft being flown to Siberia.

[5] Bethel Airport covers an area of 1,056 acres (427 ha) at an elevation of 129 feet (39 m) above mean sea level.

[1] For the 12-month period ending March 31, 2018, the airport had 122,000 aircraft operations, an average of 334 per day: 54% air taxi, 41% general aviation, 4% scheduled commercial, and 1% military.

[1] The following airlines offer scheduled passenger service: Prior to its bankruptcy and cessation of all operations, Ravn Alaska served the airport from multiple locations.