Aleutian Airways (VC, Anchorage Ted Stevens) has been given the all-clear to begin operations in Alaska following the completion of all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, the company announced.
Chartered service will begin immediately, and an announcement on scheduled services and routes will be released this autumn, the company said in a statement.
FAA approval adds the Saab 2000 to parent Sterling Airways’ Part 121 Air Carrier Certificate, allowing service from Anchorage Ted Stevens to begin under the Aleutian Airways brand after completing proving flights to demonstrate the type's safety, reliability and operational soundness.
Launch plans of scheduled operations were deferred in 2021 to improve safety measures after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended design changes to the Saab (Sweden). This followed the October 2019 crash of Saab 2000 N686PA (msn 2000-017) operated by PenAir (Anchorage Ted Stevens), which killed one person.
Aleutian Airways is a joint venture between several veteran airline investors and operators, including SEC-registered investment firm Wexford Capital, Anchorage-based private investment company Alaska Private Investment, and Alaska Seaplanes (J5, Juneau International), which plans to restore reliable nonstop Saab 2000 service back to the Aleutian Islands as well as other destinations throughout Alaska. Sterling Airways is a portfolio company of Wexford Capital LP. Alaska Seaplanes operates from its hub in Juneau connecting 14 communities with passenger and cargo service year-round.
“We’ve built this airline in response to input from community and business leaders and look forward to serving their needs and becoming the airline of choice for Southwest Alaska,” said Sterling Airways Chief Executive Officer Wayne Heller.
