Home | Search | Help
OST by Number | OST by Order | OST by Carrier | OST by Subject | OST by Day
OIA by Carrier/Subject | OIA by Day | FAA by Number | FAA by Subject | FAA by Day
Carrier Financials | Charter Office | Answer/Reply Calendar

OST-1996-2009

EAS Docket

Essential Air Service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska

By:  Charles Hunnicutt

By:  Charles Hunnicutt

Order 2001-1-15 tentatively reselects Gulf Air Taxi, Inc., to continue providing essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, for the period beginning November 1, 2000, and ending October 31, 2002, at an annual subsidy of $61,739. Interested parties having objections to the selection of Gulf Air Taxi, Inc., to provide essential air service as described in ordering paragraph 1, at the rate set forth in ordering paragraph 2 , are directed to file such objections or competing service proposals no later than 20 days from the date of service of this order.

By:  Francisco Sanchez

Counsel:  Cordova Air Service, Davis Erbey

Order 2001-5-3 is tentatively reselecting Ellis Air Taxi, Inc., to provide EAS at Gulkana, May Creek and, McCarthy, Alaska, for a two-year period.

By:  Susan McDermott

Essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, as established by Order 90-5-20, requires service to either Cordova or Yakutat with a maximum of two intermediate stops. Icy Bay is to receive four round trips each week during the peak season and three round trips during the off-peak season. Cape Yakataga's service may be provided on a flagstop basis at a level of four round trips per week during the peak season and two round trips during the off-peak season.

We request that any carrier interested in providing essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay file their proposals within 20 days of the service date of this order. We ask that carriers submit proposals for service to either Cordova or Yakutat, in accordance with the determination above. We will formally solicit the community's views on any service options we receive before making a long-term carrier selection decision. In order to assist carriers in making their traffic and revenue forecasts, we have included historical traffic data in Appendix A.

By:  Read Van de Water

By:  Jim Air, James Bern

Cordova Air Service is the best candidate to provide the Essential Air Service to Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska. We have been a reliable operator in this area for 15 years. We have a sufficient fleet of aircraft, the ability to maintain the fleet ourselves and extensive pilot experience in this area. Not to mention an impeccable safety record. We have held mail contracts, regularly fly for State and Federal agencies, including the US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife, Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game, USGS and the FAA. The following is a brief company history.

By:  Cordova Air Service, Dave Erbey

We received our 135 certificate the 1⁰ of april 2002 and do not have seat history. We have been flying the EAS contract for Gulf Air Taxi sinoe April 17 2002.. Our docket number is ost 1996-2009. We have a Cessna 206 and a Britain Norman Islander and a leased 206. Our base of operations is Cordova AK Mile 13 Airport. We have a 40x50 hangar on a state leased lot and a 200x200 state leased lot with an office on that lot Enclosed is a balance sheet and aircraft expense sheet.

By:  Silverdo Air Taxi, Randy Dahlstrom

By:  Jim Air, James Bern

Order 2002-12-26 is selecting Cordova Air Service, Inc., to provide subsidized essential aie service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, for $40, 619 a year.  From a service standpoint, there is little on which to base a decision, as each carrier's proposal is identical - the same aircraft type and the same service levels, both in the peak and off-peak periods. The State, as spokesman for the communities, has affirmatively not taken a position on either carrier. In addition, both carriers have experience providing service in the Icy Bay and Cape Yakataga area. Our final decision, therefore, is based largely on the difference in requested subsidy. Silverado's request was for more than 50 percent more subsidy than that requested by Cordova.

By: Read Van de Water

Correspondence of Ellis Air Taxi, Inc. submitting their proposal for continuation of essential air service for Gulkana, McCarthy and May Creek, Alaska. Ellis Air Taxi, Inc. requests to provide the same level of service for a new two-year rate term.  Ellis would operate over a Gulkana-McCarthy-Maycreek-Gulkana­Anchorage-Gulkana routing with a change of gauge at Gulkana. The carrier would provide two round trips a week year-round between Gulkana and Anchorage with Cessna 310 aircraft for an annual subsidy need of $129,963 and two round trips a week year­round from Gulkana to Maycreek and McCarthy with either Cessna 185 or 206 aircraft for an annual subsidy of $84,171.

By: Lynn Ellis

Objection of Jim Air, Inc. protesting the award of Essential Air Service pursuant to 14 CFR Part 17, Chapter 1, Sub-chapter B.  The basis of the Protester's status as an interested party is that the Protester submitted the apparent low proposal for essential air services in the above referenced docket timely and has not rescinded that bid and was not awarded the contract, although fully qualified to perform.

Counsel: Fortier Mikko, Samuel Fortier, 907 277-4222

Verification of Samuel J. Fortier and Jim Bern pursuant to Title 18 U.S. Code Section 1001.

By: Samuel Fortier

By:  Jim Air, Jim Bern

By Order 2001-1-15 issued January 19, 2001, the Department established a final subsidy rate for Gulf Air Taxi, Inc., for the provision of scheduled air service under the Essential Air Service program at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska. That rate was later amended by Order 2002-2-13, issued February 15, 2002, and expired on October 31, 2002. The carrier has not been compensated for services provided at Cape Yakataga or Icy Bay after that date. By Order 2002-12-26, issued December 31, 2002, the Department selected Cordova Air Service, Inc., to replace Gulf Air Taxi at these communities. In accordance with that order, Cordova Air Service replaced Gulf Air Taxi on February 3, 2003.

By: Read C. Van de Water

By this order, the Department is tentatively reselecting Ellis Air Taxi, Inc., to provide essential air service at Gulkana, May Creek and, McCarthy, Alaska, for the two-year period from February 1, 2003, through January 31, 2005, at a combined annual subsidy of $231,101.

By:  Read C. Van de Water

Issued May 6, 2003 | Served May 9, 2003

Order 03-5-8
OST-96-2009 - Essential Air Service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska

Order Granting Petition and Affirming Previous Action | Word

Order 2003-5-8, the Department grants the Petition for Reconsideration filed by Jim Air, Inc., and affirms the decision in Order 2002-12-26 selecting Cordova Air Service, Inc., to provide essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, for a two-year term. After careful review of this matter, and all relevant information, we have decided to affirm our findings in Order 2002-12-26. Jim Air’s petition centers on two basic arguments. First, the carrier argues that the other applicants were allowed to alter their subsidy requests after the proposals had been submitted to the Department and, second, that the carrier did not withdraw its proposal as the Department’s staff had indicated.

By: Read C. Van de Water

Order 04-06-10
OST-96-2009 - EAS at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, AK

Issued June 8, 2004 | Served June 11, 2004

Order Requesting Proposals | Word

By this order, the Department is requesting proposals for essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, for a new two-year period.

The Department has received complaints from the residents of Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay regarding the service being provided there by Cordova Air Service. The residents claim that the service provided by Cordova Air Service is unpredictable and unreliable, unlike the prior EAS carriers. For these reasons, some residents have had to resort to chartering aircraft out of Cordova on numerous occasions while others have had to adjust to this unpredictable and unreliable service. The communities' concerns have been validated by the Department through a detailed investigation.

In view of our statutory obligation to ensure continuous, reliable air service, we have decided to begin a new carrier selection proceeding. We will request proposals from all carriers interested in providing essential air service to both Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay for a two-year period. Service is to consist of three round trips a week during the six-month peak summer season, and two round trips a week during the six-month off-peak season to either Cordova or Yakutat. The current service by Cordova Air Service is provided to Cordova, but, prior to 2003, Gulf Air Taxi provided the communities with service to Yakutat. We are aware that there may be some operational and weather-related problems associated with providing service to Cordova rather than to Yakutat, and strongly encourage applicants to address those considerations in their proposals.

By: Karan Bhatia

April 12, 2004

Request for Extension of Time Limit for Comments | Word

The notice for selecting an Air Carrier to provide Essential Air Service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay was issued on June 8, 2004 with a 30 day comment window. Several residents of the area who wish to submit comments have recently contacted the Alaska DOT. Therefore, we request an extension of the time limit for comments until August 31, 2004 to allow these individuals time to get their comments submitted to the EAS Office.

By: Carl Siebe

June 17, 2004

Re: Proposal to Provide EAS (Alsek)

Due to the fluctuation of commercial logging operations in Icy Bay we propose two options. The first option is to provide Essential Air Service one day per week, Wednesday, to Icy Bay and Cape Yakataga at a cost of $450.00 per trip. The second option is to provide Essential Air Service three times a week to Icy Bay and once per week to Cape Yakataga; Monday's service would be to Icy Bay only, Wednesday's service would be to Icy Bay and Cape Yakataga, and then Friday's service would be to Icy Bay only. The second option would accommodate the increase in residents that coincides with logging operations. The flights for the second option would be $300.00 on Monday and Friday, and $450.00 on Wednesday. Alsek Air Service, Inc. has two aircraft. A Cessna 206 on wheels as well as a 185 on wheels or skis; which will enable us to operate according to seasonal runway conditions.

By: Les Hartley

July 8, 2004

Re: Proposal to Provide EAS (Copper River)

Alternative I is based on the advertised requirements of 3 trips per week to Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay (west side) during the peak six months of May through October, and 2 trips per week over the same route during the non peak 6 months of November through April, flying out of Cordova. I am proposing an intermediate stop in the Tsiu River area during the months of July through September. I propose to accomplish these flights with a Cessna U206, insured for 4 passenger seats, and a backup airplane consisting of a Cessna C180 insured for 3 seats. Experience has shown that there will be times during the winter when a wheel plane cannot land at either destination because of short daylight hours, large tides in Cape Yakataga, no beach at Icy Bay, and lack of snow removal at both Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay. For these reasons, the Cessna C180 will be equipped with skis for winter snow operation.

By: Larry Hancock

July 28, 2004

Re: Request for Comments from Carl Siebe

Alsek Air Service proposes two options, both for service out of Yakutat. The carrier would operate the flights with either a Cessna 206 with wheels, or a Cessna 185 with wheels or skis.

Copper River Air Taxi proposes two options, both for service out of Cordova.

My purpose in writing to you at this time is to request any final comments you might have on the carriers' service and subsidy proposals before we submit a recommendation on the carrier selection issue to the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs.

By: Dennis DeVany

August 11, 2004

Re: Extending Deadline for Filing Comments to August 31, 2004

By: EAS & Domestic Analysis, Dennis DeVany

August 27, 2004

Re: Request to Award the Contract to the Operator Servicing Through Cordova

Currently you have two very close proposals before you from two well qualified air services, (I have personally flown with both and would fly with either without the least trepidation) However, our support network / hub is Anchorage, AK all of our suppliers are there, our accounts are there, our business is there, our medical support / doctors, hospitals, dentist are all in Anchorage. The EAS flight has always worked better for us out of Cordova than Yakutat, freight routing is much easier thru Cordova than Yakutat. There are more daily airline passenger flights thru Cordova, The cost to fly from Cordova to Anchorage is about a third of what it is to fly from Yakutat to Juneau to Anchorage. Flying out thru Yakutat also requires an overnight stay in Yakutat to make connecting flights to Anchorage. These cost make the EAS flight impractical to use when it is serviced out of Yakutat (We are forced to charter thru Cordova). It is our request that you award this contract to the operator servicing the area thru Cordova (Copper River Air / Larry Handcock.

By: D.J. Burnham

August 23, 2004

Re: Comments of The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

Our Statutes and Regulations allow us to evaluate the fitness of the air carrier applicants. We have done such, and find both AIsek Air Service and Copper River Air Taxi to be fit. We are not aware of any extenuating circumstances that would prevent either applicant from fulfilling the requirements of the EAS proposal.

Our Department recognizes there is a fairly small population base to utilize this service. Mail and freight loads are thus nominal. However access to this pad of Alaska is adversely influenced by storms forming in the North Pacific and the Gulf of Alaska. Air service is critical for those who live here. We encourage the EAS office to consider the maximum frequency of service available under the EAS guidelines to somewhat compensate for the numerous weather delays and flight cancellations sure to occur.

By: Carl Siebe

Order 04-09-24
OST-96-2009 - EAS at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, AK

Issued September 28, 2004 | Served October 1, 2004

Order Selecting Carrier and Setting Subsidy Rate | Word

By this order, the Department is (a) selecting Copper River Air Taxi to provide essential air service to Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, and, (b) establishing a subsidy rate of $61,840 per year for service consisting of three round trips between Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay and Cordova during the six-month peak season (May-October), and two round trips over the six-month off-peak season (November-April), with 4-seat Cessna U206 and 3-seat Cessna C180 aircraft.

By: Karan Bhatia

OST-95-492 - EAS at Gulkana, McCarthy, and May Creek, AK
OST-96-2009 - EAS at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, AK

January 13, 2005

Re: Proposal of Ellis Air

Ellis would operate over a Gullcana‑McCarthy‑Maycreek‑GulkanaAnchorage‑Gulkana routing with a change of gauge at Gulkana. The carrier would provide two round trips a week year‑round between Guilcana and Anchorage with Piper PA‑31 aircraft for an annual subsidy need of $199,875 and two round trips a week yearround from Gulkana to Maycreek and McCarthy with either Cessna 185 or 206 aircraft for an annual subsidy of $139,517.

By: Lynn Ellis

http://www.ellisair.com/

Order 2005-03-14
OST-95-492 - EAS at Gulkana, McCarthy, and May Creek, AK
OST-96-2009 - EAS at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, AK

Issued March 8, 2005 | Served March 11, 2005

Order Tentatively Selecting Carrier and Setting Subsidy Rate | Word

By this order, the Department is tentatively reselecting Ellis Air Taxi, Inc., to provide essential air service at Gulkana, May Creek and, McCarthy, Alaska, for the two-year period from February 1, 2005, through January 31, 2007, at a combined annual subsidy of $339,356.

Ellis Air submitted a proposal to provide essential air service at all three communities for a new two‑year rate term. The carrier proposes to continue to provide the communities with their historical service levels in all respects: frequencies and routings. Gulkana would receive two nonstop round trips to Anchorage each week with 6‑seat Piper PA‑3 1, twinengine aircraft; May Creek and McCarthy would receive two round trips each week over a Gulkana‑McCarthy‑May Creek‑Gulkana routing with 3‑seat, ski‑equipped, Cessna 185 during the 6‑month winter season, and 4‑seat Cessna 206 aircraft during the 6‑month summer season. Ellis Air proposes to provide this level of service at annual subsidies of $199,839 for service at Gulkana and $139,517 for service at May Creek and McCarthy.

By: Karan Bhatia

Order 2006-7-18
OST-1996-2009

Issued July 17, 2006 | Served July 20, 2006

Order Requesting Proposals

By this order, the Department is requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, for a new two-year period, beginning November 1, 2006, with or without subsidy.

With specific respect to Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, we expect proposals consisting of service with small aircraft (e.g., those with 3-5 seats) and offering each community three round trips a week during the peak season and two weekly round trips during the off-peak season to Cordova or any other suitable hub, such as Yakutat. In that regard, our understanding is that weather conditions have typically allowed for a higher percentage of completed flights to Yakutat, so we encourage carriers to give consideration to providing service to Yakutat, at least as one option.

By: Todd Homan

OST-1996-2009

August 5, 2006

Proposal of Alsek Air Service

Alsek Air Service, Inc. based in Yakutat, intends to fulfill the advertised requirements of the Essential Air Service contract OST-1996-2009 by completing three trips per week to West Icy Bay and Cape Yakataga, May through October which are the six peak months and twice a week over the same route during the six off-peak months of November through April. This proposal would also include a flag stop to service the year-round residents in East Icy Bay.

Essential Air Service flights would be completed with Alaska-proven Cessna U206G on wheels insured for 4 passengers or Cessna A185F insured for 4 passengers, on wheels, or skis when warranted by seasonal conditions. Both aircraft are dependable as well as rugged.

The basic cost figures are the same for both aircraft, $330 per hour.

By: Les Hartley, 907-784-3231

August 21, 2006

Proposal of Copper River Air Taxi

Proposal is based on 3 trips per week to Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay with intermediate stops at the Tsiu River area. During the peak time 6 month, May through October. And 2 Trips per week over the same route, November through April. I propose to accomplish these flights with a Cessna 206 equipped with 4 seats. Basic cost figures for these 206 are $300.00 per hour.

A regular schedule will be adhered to as weather permits. Flights of 3 per week during the peak season will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Timing of the flights will be coordinated such that passengers can make connections with the daily flights of Alaska Airlines. Service to Anchorage and Juneau passenger also have the option of morning and evening flights on Era from Anchorage to Cordova and return to Anchorage.

Regular flights will be conducted during the non peak months on Tuesday and Friday. Upon request of area residents, I will be willing to adjust days and times to accommodate their wishes.

By: Randy Dahlstrom, 907-424-5371

August 20, 2006

Comments of Cape Yakataga/Icy Bay Community Association

Copper River Air Taxi LLC is currently providing EAS Service to our areas and doing a great job. We are very happy with the service provided and hope Copper River Air is the successful bidder on the new contract.

That being said, you must also realize that no matter who the operator is the essential air service contract should utilize Cordova for its hub. We depend upon Cordova and Anchorage Alaska via Cordova for all our needs, supplies food and freight, medical, dentists, vision, hearing. Anchorage is the major transportation hub for both in and out of state travel. Most of our needs are met right in Cordova they for sure are all met in Anchorage, with three jet flights per day between Anchorage/Cordova and fast ferry service between Cordova/Anchorage three times per week and truck freight as well it's a no brainer that our essential air service be based out of Cordova.

By: John Willis, 907-227-8564

Order 2006-9-6
OST-1995-492 - Gulkana
OST-1996-2009 - May Creek and McCarthy

Issued September 11, 2006 | Served September 14, 2006

Order Requesting Proposals

By Order 2005-3-14, March 8, 2005, the Department selected Ellis Air Taxi, Inc., to provide subsidized essential air service at Gulkana, May Creek, and McCarthy, Alaska, for the two-year period from February 1, 2005, through January 31, 2007, at a combined annual subsidy of $339,356. Gulkana's service consists of two nonstop round trips a week between Guikaiia and Anchorage with six-seat, Piper PA-3 1, twin-engine aircraft. May Creek and McCarthy receive two round trips a week over a Gulkana-McCarthy-May Creek-Gulkana routing with four-seat Cessna 206 aircraft during the six-month summer season, and with three-seat, Cessna 185, ski-equiped aircraft during the six-month winter season. An annual subsidy rate of $199,839 was set for the Gulkana-Anchorage service, and an annual subsidy rate of $139,517 was set for the Gulkana-McCarthy-May Creek-Gulkana service. The carrier's rate term for both services will expire January 31, 2007.

With specific respect to Gulkana, we expect proposals consisting of two nonstop round trips to Anchorage each week with aircraft having a capacity of four to six seats. At May Creek and McCarthy, we expect proposals consisting of two round trips each week over a GulkanaMcCarthy‑May Creek‑Gulkana routing with aircraft having a capacity of at least three seats during the six‑month winter season, and having a capacity of four seats during the six‑month summer season. Such service is consistent with what the communities currently receive, and fully satisfies their essential air service requirements. We encourage proposals that meet those requirements in an efficient manner. Carriers are also welcome to propose more than one service option, if they choose; they need not limit themselves to those requirements if they envision other, potentially more attractive service possibilities ‑‑ different hubs, for example ‑with subsidy requirements that remain competitive.

By: Todd Homan

Order 2006-9-22
OST-1996-2009

Issued September 22, 2006 | Served September 27, 2006

Order Selecting Carrier and Setting Final Subsidy Rate

By this order, the Department is selecting Alsek Air Service, Inc. to provide subsidized essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, at an annual subsidy rate of $64,510 for the period of November 1, 2006, through October 31, 2008.

By: Todd Homan

September 21, 2006

Cordova Air Service in Support of Alsek Air Service

Cordova Air Service, Inc. supports the selection of Alsek Air Service, Inc. for the EAS for Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska. This is a fine company with experience and knowledge of the area, in addition to an excellent track record.

By: Cordova Air, Davis Erbey, 907-424-3289

OST-1995-492 - Gulkana
OST-1996-2009 - May Creek and McCarthy

October 3, 2006

Proposal of Ellis Air Taxi

Ellis would operate over a Gulkana-McCarthy-May Creek-Gulkana-Anchorage-Gulkana routing with a change of gauge at Gulkana. The carrier would provide two round trips a week year-round between Gulkana and Anchorage with Piper PA-31 aircraft for an annual subsidy need of $224,890 and two round trips a week year-round from Gulkana to May Creek and McCarthy with either Cessna 185 or 206 aircraft for an annual subsidy of $167,284.

By: Ellis, Lynn Ellis, 907-822-3368, lellis@alaska.net

OST-1995-492 - Gulkana
OST-1996-2009 - May Creek and McCarthy

October 19, 2006

DOT Letter Requesting Comments

In anticipation of the end of Ellis Air Taxi's current contract on January 31, 2007, the Department issued Order 2006-9-6 on September 11, 2006, to solicit proposals from all interested air carriers to provide EAS at the three communities for a new, two-year term. At this stage, we would normally ask for your preferences for various carrier and service options. However, the incumbent carrier, Ellis Air, was the only carrier to submit a proposal. Nonetheless, we want to give you an opportunity to submit any comments for the record that you may have.

We request that you review the proposal and submit any comments you may have before we submit a recommendation to the Assistant Secretary. We ask that you submit any comments as soon as possible, but in any case no later than November 9, 2006.

By: Dennis DeVany

OST-1995-492 - Gulkana
OST-1996-2009 - May Creek and McCarthy

November 20, 2006

Email Message - Comments of Alaska DOT

Alaska DOT&PF Northern Region is are in receipt of your letter and have no objection to Ellis Air Taxi continuing their mail/passenger service to Gulkana, May Creek and McCarthy. My understanding is that Ellis has operated the mail contract along with Security Aviation of Anchorage from Gulkana to May Creek and McCarthy for quite some time. I have not heard any complaints about the level of service to either community (Gulkana itself is accessible via an interstate highway and is not as reliant on mail/passenger transport, whereas McCarthy has only seasonal road access and May Creek has no road access at all).

By: Judy Chapman

Order 2006-11-23
OST-1995-492 - Gulkana
OST-1996-2009 - May Creek and McCarthy

Issued November 27, 2006 | Served November 30, 2006

Order Selecting Carrier and Establishing Subsidy Rate

By this order, the Department is re-selecting Ellis Air Taxi, Inc., to provide essential air service at Gulkana, May Creek, and McCarthy, Alaska, for the two-year period beginning February 1, 2007, at an annual subsidy rate of $392,174.

By: Andrew Steinberg

Order 2008-5-22
OST-1996-2009

Issued May 16, 2008 | Served May 21, 2008

Order Requesting Proposals | Word

By this order, the Department is requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, for a new two-year period, beginning November 1, 2008, with or without subsidy. Carriers should file their proposals no later than June 19, 2008.

With specific respect to Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, we expect proposals consisting of service with small aircraft (e.g., those with 3-5 seats) and offering each community three round trips a week during the peak season and two weekly round trips during the off-peak season to Yakutat or any other suitable hub, such as Cordova. In that regard, our understanding is that weather conditions have typically allowed for a higher percentage of completed flights to Yakutat, so we encourage carriers to give consideration to providing service to Yakutat, at least as one option. Further, flights meeting EAS guidelines at Alaskan communities should provide sufficient capacity to accommodate passenger, freight and mail demand. Such service is generally consistent with what the communities currently receive, and fully satisfies their EAS requirements.

By: Todd Homan

June 20, 2008

Proposal of Alsek Air Service

Alsek Air Service, Inc based in Yakutat, since being awarded the EAS contract in 2006 has and will continue to fulfill the requirements of the Essential Air Service contract OST-1996-2009 by completing three trips per week to West Icy Bay and Cape Yakataga, May through October which are the six peak months and twice a week over the same route during the six off-peak months of November through April. This proposal will also include a flag stop to service the year-round residents in East Icy Bay.

Essential Air Service flights will be completed with Alaska-proven Cessna U206G on wheels, insured for 4 passengers or Cessna A185F, insured for 4 passengers, on wheels; or skis when warranted by seasonal conditions. Both aircraft are dependable as well as rugged. Since obtaining the EAS contract in 2006 we expanded our operation and added another Cessna 206 and also two seasonal pilots.

We will charge a seat fare of $120 per person at either West Icy Bay or Cape Yakataga, and allow each passenger 50# of freight free with additional freight charged at 35 cents per pound.

TOTAL ANNUAL SUBSIDY $78,000
TOTAL ANNUAL COST OF OPERATION $86,640

By: Alsek, Les Hartley, 907-784-3231

June 20, 2008

Re: Request for Community Comments of:

• Alaska Deputy Commissioner of Aviation
• Alaska Statewide Aviation Planner
• Mayor of Yakutat

In anticipation of the end of Alsek Air Service's current contract on October 31, 2008, the Department issued Order 2008-5-22 on May 16, 2008, to solicit proposals from all interested air carriers to provide EAS at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay for a new, two-year term. In response to that order, the incumbent carrier was the only party to submit a proposal.

Alsek Air Service submitted a proposal to continue to provide three round trips each week to Yakutat from May through October, and two round trips each week from November through April, with an intermediate stop at East Icy Bay, utilizing 4-seat Cessna aircraft, for an annual subsidy rate for both communities of $78,000, an increase of $13,490 over the existing EAS contract.

We request that you review the proposals and submit any comments you may have before we submit a recommendation to the Assistant Secretary. We ask that you submit any comments you may have as soon as possible, but in any case no later than July 15, 2008.

By: Dennis DeVany

July 10, 2008

Email Message - Alaska Statewide Aviation Planner Does Not Have a Preferred Alternative

The State of Alaska supports the continuance of the Essential Air Service Program in Alaska. EAS is critical to our rural communities as most of them are not connected to the road system and therefore affordable air transportation provides access to medical and other life/health services. The State does not have a preferred alternative in the Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay proposal.

By: Rebecca Cronkhite, 907-269-0728

Order 2008-7-28
OST-1996-2009

Issued July 25, 2008 | Served July 30, 2008

Order Selecting Carrier and Establishing Final Subsidy Rate

By this order, the Department is selecting Alsek Air Service, Inc. to provide subsidized essential air service at Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay, Alaska, at an annual subsidy rate of $78,000 for the period of November 1, 2008, through October 31, 2010.

By: Todd Homan

Home | Search | Help
OST by Number | OST by Order | OST by Carrier | OST by Subject | OST by Day
OIA by Carrier/Subject | OIA by Day | FAA by Number | FAA by Subject | FAA by Day
Carrier Financials | Charter Office | Answer/Reply Calendar