Alaska-based PenAir filing Chapter 11 reorganization plan;
Service within Alaska to continue unchanged
Alaska-based PenAir has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization with the state of Alaska. This action will not affect scheduled air service operations in Alaska or Boston. PenAir’s Portland, Oregon and Denver, Colorado hubs will begin the process of closing scheduled service over the next 90 days.
“The steps we are taking today will allow PenAir to emerge as a stronger airline, while continuing our focus on safe operations,†said PenAir CEO and Chairman Danny Seybert. “We will be working with a restructuring officer to present a reorganization plan that will allow the management team to focus on our employees, safe operations, retiring debt and taking care of our customers.â€
PenAir recently announced the termination of the Portland-area regional routes as part of an immediate cost-cutting plan in the Pacific Northwest. All, but the essential Air Service (EAS) route between Portland and Crescent City, California, will be shut down effective close of business on Monday, August 7. This impacts scheduled flight operations between Portland and Klamath Falls and North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon and Redding and Eureka/Arcata, California.
Today, PenAir announced the additional closing the Denver hub pending approval from the Department of Transportation.
PenAir is filing a request with the DOT to end EAS routes between Crescent City, CA and Portland and all regional routes served from its Denver hub. This will impact EAS routes operating between Denver and Liberal and Dodge City, Kansas and North Platt, Kearney and Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Once approved, this transition usually takes 30 to 90 days until a new carrier can be secured in the market.
PenAir serves eight destinations within Alaska, including Dutch Harbor, Cold Bay, Sand Point, King Salmon, Dillingham, St. Paul, St. George and McGrath; and three routes in the Boston area including Bar Harbor and Presque Isle, Maine and Plattsburgh, New York. Passengers in both the Alaska and Boston markets can expect continued operations with no changes to scheduled flight service. Employees in these markets will play a critical role in the reorganization process.
“Our employees are a key part of our success, and we are doing everything we can to keep our PenAir family intact,†said Seybert.
Passengers scheduled to fly out of the Portland market may contact the airline their travel was originally booked on, or PenAir at 800-448-4226.
About PenAir – PenAir was founded in 1955 by Orin Seybert in Pilot Point, Alaska. It is one of the oldest family-owned airlines in the United States. The airline is also one of the largest regional airlines in Alaska and the Northeast U.S., and one of the largest operators of Saab 340 aircraft in the US. System-wide, PenAir has 700 employees and serves 25 destinations.
Download the June 2, 2017 Agenda Here
Meeting will be held at 5:30pm at the KSDP Business Office in Sand Point. Meeting is Open to the Public.
Alternative Transportation Offered for AMHS Cargo Impacted by Tustumena Delay
(JUNEAU, Alaska) – The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) announced today that Coastal Transportation, Inc. will assist AMHS customers impacted by the delay of the M/V Tustumena. Coastal Transportation, based in Seattle, will carry cargo on an “as able basis†from Homer and Kodiak, to Aleutian Islands destinations, at the same cost AMHS charges. Unfortunately, Coastal Transportation is prohibited from carrying passengers.
AMHS customers attempting to rebook their cargo with Coastal Transportation should let Coastal Transportation agents know they are displaced AMHS customers to ensure they receive the AMHS rate. Coastal Transportation can be reached at 1-800-544-2580 or 206-282-9979.
Last week, AMHS announced that the Tustumena was delayed at the Vigor Ketchikan Shipyard for two months. The delay was due to the discovery of additional extensive steel wastage in the engine room and necessary repairs. It is anticipated the Tustumena will return to service departing Homer at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 18.
AMHS staff explored several options to fill the transportation void resulting from the Tustumena delay. Safety was the highest priority, so utilizing the Tustumena was not an option. The use of another AMHS vessel was not viable without the risk of a more widespread and disruptive service outage both in terms of passenger disruption and financial consequences for individuals and for the marine highway system.
Gov. Bill Walker said, “On behalf of the Alaska Marine Highway System and impacted Alaskans, I am deeply grateful to Coastal Transportation for stepping up to help Alaskans with this vital transportation service.â€
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 242 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, more than 5,600 miles of highway and 731 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.â€
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2017
CONTACT: Meadow Bailey, (907) 451-2240, Meadow.Bailey@alaska.gov
Tustumena Return to Service Delayed
Vessel will return to service Tuesday, July 18.
(JUNEAU, Alaska) – The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) announced today that the M/V Tustumena will remain at the Vigor Ketchikan Shipyard longer than previously expected. The Tustumena delay is due to the discovery and necessary repair of additional extensive steel wastage in the engine room.
A repair plan developed in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard will ensure the vessel is safe before service is resumed.
It is anticipated that the Tustumena will return to service departing Homer at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 18.
Originally scheduled to return to service on May 27, the Tustumena delay impacts communities in Southwest Alaska and along the Aleutian chain. The Tustumena went in for a scheduled annual overhaul on March 13.
The Tustumena is 53 years old. A replacement vessel has been designed but is awaiting funding through the pending fiscal year 2018 capital budget.
AMHS staff is contacting affected passengers. For more information, please call your local terminal or the AMHS central reservations office at 1-907-465-3941 or toll free at 1-800-642-0066. An updated schedule will be made available online at FerryAlaska.com.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 242 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, over 5,600 miles of highway and 731 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”
KSDP will have a meeting of the Boar of Directors on March 28, 2017. Meeting will begin at 5:30PM. Meeting is open to the public and is at the KSDP studios in Sand Point
KSDP will be having an open board meeting on December 13, 2016 at 5:30pm at the Sand Point studio offices.
KSDP Currently has the help of:
Carla Chebetnoy
Joanna Karlsen
We are always looking for people to come and help! If you have an interest in giving feedback on programming and major initiatives of the station let us know! Lunch is of course provided.
Curtis Jensen is a teacher of English at Sand Point School. He was recently elected to a one year seat in 2016!
Amy Mack was recently re-elected for a second 2 year seat in 2016. She hails from the lovely town of King Cove and is very active in the communities across the Aleutians East Borough.
