ALAKANUK -- The new airport is open for business in the Western Alaska village of Alakanuk.

Alaska state transportation officials say the relocated airport has a longer runway that can accommodate larger planes carrying freight and fuel deliveries. Officials say the larger planes also means fish caught by locals can be transported to market more quickly.

The $33 million project was 10 years in the making, starting in 2002. It was completed last month and the new runway opened Sept. 17.

Transportation officials say the project was funded by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Alakanuk is a Yup'ik Eskimo community of 680 on a major channel of the Yukon River.