Aleutian Airways

Airline serving Western Alaska operating out of Anchorage
Aleutian Airways
IATA ICAO Callsign
VC[1] SRY [1] —
Commenced operationsNovember 16, 2022[2]
Operating basesTSIA Anchorage
Fleet size4 Saab 2000 [3]
DestinationsCold Bay (CDB),[4] Dutch Harbor (DUT), Homer (HOM)[5] King Salmon (AKN),[4] Sand Point (SDP)[4]
Parent companyjoint venture between Wexford Capital, Mckinley Alaska Private Investment, and Alaska Seaplanes. [6]

Aleutian Airways is a joint venture between Sterling Airways and Alaska Seaplanes which offers scheduled flights between Anchorage and Southwest Alaska.[3][6]

History

The routes served by Aleutian Airways were traditionally served by PenAir, which was purchased out of bankruptcy by Ravn air group in 2018.[7] Following a collapse in air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Raven Air filed for bankruptcy, and the operating certificate for PenAir was again put up for sale. Alaska Seaplanes, which had been outbid by Ravn for PenAir in 2018[8] was again outbid for PenAir.[3]

Alaska Seaplanes then entered into a joint venture with Sterling Airways to offer service to Southwest Alaska under the name Aleutian Airways.[3] The airline utilizes ex-PenAir Saab 2000 aircraft,[3] flown by ex-PenAir staff.[9]

Aleutian Airways began scheduled service with a flight from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor on November 16th, 2022.[2]

Corporate Structure

Aleutian Airways is a joint venture between Wexford Capital, Mckinley Alaska Private Investment, and Alaska Seaplanes.[10] Alaska Seaplanes operates the back-office and ticket sales, while Wexford subsidiary Sterling Airways is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft.[10]

Sterling Airways

Wexford Capital purchased Florida-based ViaAir with the intent of rebranding the airline and serving markets in the Southeast, Midwest, and Alaska.[11] The airline was renamed Sterling, and the Embraer aircraft replaced with 4 leased Saab 2000s. Currently, the only routes they are flying are those flown under the Aleutian Airways brand.

Wexford Capital has a history with airlines, starting with the purchase of the former Alaskan airline MarkAir's assets out of bankruptcy in 1995. Wexford went on to purchase and reorganize Republic Airways. Several of Sterling's current employees formerly worked at Republic, including Wayne Heller, Stirling's CEO.[11]

Destinations

List of destinations[12] (As of January 2024[update])
City Country (Subdivision) IATA Airport Notes
Anchorage USA (Alaska) ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Base
Cold Bay USA (Alaska) CDB Cold Bay Airport
Dutch Harbor USA (Alaska) DUT Unalaska Airport
Homer USA (Alaska) HOM Homer Airport Service temporarily discontinued on April 15, 2024 due to airport runway construction [13]
King Salmon USA (Alaska) AKN King Salmon Airport
Sand Point USA (Alaska) SDP Sand Point Airport

Fleet

The Aleutian Airways fleet includes the following aircraft:

Aleutian Airways fleet[14] (As of January 2024[update])
Aircraft Number Seats Notes
Saab 2000 4 Former PenAir aircraft [3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sterling Airways Airline Profile". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Rhode, Scott (17 November 2022). "Aleutian Airways Launches Daily Anchorage-Dutch Harbor Flights". Alaska Business. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Sterling Airways, Alaska Seaplanes form JV to serve Unalaska". ch-aviation. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Velani, Bhavya (26 April 2023). "Aleutian Airways Adds Third Saab 2000, Expands Summer Schedule". Airway. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  5. ^ Cosman, Delcenia (6 December 2023). "Kenai Aviation to depart Homer". Homer News. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b Nelson, Maggie (September 28, 2022). "Unalaskans hope new regional airline means better local air service". Alaska Public Media. KUCB. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  7. ^ Lil, Avery (24 December 2018). "Purchase Finalized: PenAair Now Officially a Part of Ravn Air Group". Alaska Public Media. KDLG. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  8. ^ Herz, Nathaniel (18 December 2020). "Juneau Flight Service Declares Ravn 'Dead' And Bids To Save Southwest Alaska Flights". KUCB. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  9. ^ McMurren, Scott (6 October 2018). ""Aleutian Airways" to fly Anchorage-Dutch Harbor nonstop starting Nov. 16". Alaska Travelgram. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b Lockett, MixhEL (3 August 2021). "Juneau-based airline expands to Southwest Alaska under new flag". Juneau Empire. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b Imat, Bulent (26 August 2020). "Wexford Capital Acquires Bankrupt Via Airlines, Set To Launch New Carrier". AirlineGeeks. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Aleutian Airways". Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  13. ^ https://flyaleutian.com/2024/04/homer-operations-update
  14. ^ "Plane Spotters Net". Retrieved 15 January 2024.
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