Press Release - Update on Commercial Air Travel - November 15, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Marjie Veeder
City Clerk and Public Information Officer
Telephone (907) 581-1251
Email [email protected]

Update on Commercial Air Travel to and from Unalaska / Dutch Harbor

Unalaska, Alaska, Friday November 15, 2019, 11:15 a.m.

City Manager Erin Reinders was informed by representatives of Alaska Airlines late yesterday that Ravn Air (parent company of PenAir) and Alaska Airlines are working on a potential solution for travelers holding tickets purchased from Alaska Airlines for travel between Anchorage and Unalaska / Dutch Harbor. City officials expect a written update from Alaska Airlines in the next couple of days, pending final agreements between the two airlines.

The City Manager continues to strongly advocate on behalf of Unalaska’s business and community members with both Alaska Airlines and Ravn Air, and has been in nearly daily communication with both airlines. Representatives of both airlines plan to hold a community meeting in Unalaska during the first part of December.

Ravn Air earlier outlined their 3-point plan to provide air service to Unalaska after temporarily discontinuing use of the Saab 2000 aircraft into Unalaska following the crash landing on October 17, 2019:

Step 1:             Ravn Charter flights using the Dash 8

Step 2:             Resume regularly scheduled service using the Dash 8

Step 3:             Resume regularly scheduled Service using the Saab 2000 by PenAir in conjunction with Alaska Airlines

We are now in Step 2, with regularly scheduled service using the Dash 8 starting yesterday. We anticipate being in this step for some time. Travel can be purchased directly with Ravn. Because regular commercial air service has resumed, the City has no plans for further public charter flights.

The current capacity agreement between Ravn/PenAir and Alaska Airlines is only for the Saab 2000 and not Ravn’s Dash 8 aircraft. At this time we don’t know if the two airlines will enter into a capacity agreement for the Dash 8 allowing for tickets to be purchased through Alaska Airlines.

The City acknowledges there are many remaining questions and concerns. The City Council addressed this issue at their meeting on November 12, 2019. Copies of related documents are available below. We will work to keep the community informed as updates are provided.

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