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Updated: Wednesday, February 6, 2008 4:43 PM


OST-2007-0020 - EAS at Akhiok, AK

Akhiok Airport


EAS Docket


Essential Air Service at Akhiok, Alaska

OST-2007-0020

October 16, 2007

90-Day Notice of Intent to Terminate Service of Island Air

Redemption, Inc. d/b/a Island Air hereby gives notice of its intent to terminate all scheduled air service at the point Akhiok, Alaska effective on or before January 13, 2008. In addition to filing this regulatory notice, Island requests a waiver from the provisions of 14 CFR 323 in order that Island may terminate all service at Akhiok as soon as possible.

Akhiok is also served by Servant Air, Inc., a DOT. certificated air carrier, as a flag stop to its twice daily service from Kodiak to Old Harbor, Alaska, subject to a two-fare minimum.

Island's service consists of three flights per week operated from the Kodiak base using small aircraft, primarily five the passenger Piper PA-32 "Cherokee 6."

The Department has determined that the required level of Essential Air Service at Akhiok is three round trips per week to the hub point Kodiak with small aircraft in the peak season, and two round trips per week in the off-peak season. The intended termination will reduce direct scheduled service between Kodiak and Akhiok to below the EAS requirement. As noted above, Akhiok does have available to it multiple daily flights as a flag stop on the Old Harbor service subject to a two fare minimum.

Counsel: MTC, Hank Myers, 425-641-8243



Order 2007-12-5
OST-2007-0020

Issued December 12, 2007 | Served December 17, 2007

Order Prohibiting Suspension of Service and Requesting Proposals | Word

By this order, the Department is prohibiting Redemption Air, d/b/a Island Air from suspending service at Akhiok, Alaska, and requesting proposals by January 8, 2008, from carriers interested in providing replacement essential air service with or without subsidy.

Akhiok’s EAS definition calls for three round trips per week during the peak summer season between Akhiok and Kodiak, and two round trips per week during the off-peak winter season. Island Air’s proposed termination of service at Akhiok would leave it without any scheduled air service, and, thus, the Department must prohibit the carrier from terminating its current service at the end of its 90-day notice period for an initial 30-day period, through February 15, 2008, consisting of three nonstop round trips a week during the six-month peak summer season and two nonstop round trips a week during the off-peak to Kodiak with five-passenger Piper PA-32 or similar aircraft. Furthermore, we will require Island Air to continue to maintain that level of service at Akhiok for successive 30-day periods until we have completed processing the carrier-replacement case and the new carrier has actually started service.

With specific respect to Akhiok, we expect proposals consisting of three round trips per week during the peak summer season between Akhiok and Kodiak, and one or two round trips per week during the off-peak winter season.  Service should be provided to Kodiak or another nearby hub with aircraft having sufficient capacity to adequately serve the market. Carriers interested in filing proposals at Akhiok, with or without subsidy, should file them with our staff no later than January 8, 2008.

By: Michael Reynolds



January 9, 2008

Proposal of Island Air Service

Aircraft Type: PA-32 Piper Cherokee

Schedule
Trips
Weeks
Hours
Departures per Week
Total Departures
ADQ-AHK-ADQ
3
52
1.63
3
312


January 8, 2008

Proposal of Servant Air

The limited nature of the traffic to Akhiok can be accommodated within the existing capacity or through the occasional extra section when a plane load of traffic is available. Service is three times weekly during the summer and twice weekly during the winter. Basic service will be provided with 5-passenger Piper PA-32 Lance aircraft. Estimated subsidy need per year for the two year proposal is $51,709.

To accomplish essential service to Akhiok, Servant Air will utilize PA32R-300 retractable gear Piper Lance. This aircraft is capable of carrying a pilot with a maximum of 5 passengers. It has a useful load of 1,050 pounds and cruises at 150 knots. Additionally, if passenger traffic increases, or runway conditions deteriorate, we have the option of upgrading aircraft to our Cessna 207's (5 passenger seats), or our Britten Norman Islander (9 passenger seats) to accommodate larger groups or softer runways without additional subsidy.

By: Wes Osowski



January 22, 2008

Re: Comments of Island Air

The following petition is from residents of Akhiok, Alaska who have responded for and in behalf of the Essential Service bid of Island Air. The number of trips to their village during the 26 week off peak period of (3) as opposed to (2) of the other carrier being a source of concera Island Air has continuously served Akhiok for the last thirty years meeting their transportation needs.

By: Island Air, Robert Stanford, 907-487-4596




January 7, 2008

Re: City of Akhiok in Support of Servant Air

On behalf of the City of Akhiok and the Akhiok City Council, I am writing this letter in support of Servant Air Inc. located on Kodiak. The company's Pilots are experienced with the diversities of flying on Kodiak Island and the residents rely on their dependability providing a safe service.

By: Mayor, Linda Amodo


January 7, 2008

Re: Kaguyak Tribal in Support of Servant Air

The Kaguyak Tribal strongly recommends that the DOT consider Servant Air for the essential air service bid. We support and look forward to the continuation of this company's services in our community. We believe that allowing them this ability to provide this service to our village would be a great help to us.

By: President, Phyllis Amodo, 907-836-2231


January 7, 2008

Re: Native Village of Akhiok in Support of Servant Air

On behalf of the Native Village of Akhiok, and the Akhiok Tribal Council, I am writing this letter in support of Servant Air Inc. located on Kodiak. The company's Pilots are experienced with the diversities of flying on Kodiak Island and the residents rely on their dependability providing a safe service.

By: President, Rolin Amodo


January 31, 2008

Re: City of Akhiok in Support of Servant Air

It was brought to my attention today that Mr. Stanford of Island Air Service has been circulating a petition in favor of his bid for essential air service. I wish to submit for your consideration the following 3 letters of support in favor of Servant Air's bid. I want to make it clear that Mr. Stanford's petition does not reflect the opinions of the City of Akhiok, the Native Village of Akhiok, or Kaguyak Tribal Corporation. I also noticed that this petition has been signed by 2 children, and one resident of Kodiak further questioning the validity of this "petition."

We are aware of the EAS Bid differences regarding the scheduled trips per week during the winter months. However, we are confident that Servant Air will provide safe reliable service to our community.

By: Mayor, Linda Amodo



Order 2008-2-10
OST-2007-0020

Issued February 6, 2008 | Served February 11, 2008

Order Selecting Carrier and Establishing Subsidy Rate

By this order, the Department is selecting Servant Air, Inc. to provide subsidized essential air service at Akhiok, Alaska, for the two-year period beginning when the carrier inaugurates scheduled passenger service pursuant to this order, at an annual subsidy of $51,079 for service to Kodiak with 5-seat PA-32R-300 Piper Lance aircraft.

After carefully considering the proposals submitted by both carriers, as well as the community’s comments, we have decided to select Servant Air’s proposal to provide EAS at Akhiok at an annual subsidy of $51,709, for a new, two-year term beginning when the carrier inaugurates its full schedule of service at the community. We note that Servant Air’s proposal requires slightly more subsidy than the Island Air’s -- $51,709 compared to $46,032. However, the elected officials support the selection of Servant Air, and we will accede to their wishes given the relatively modest difference in subsidy. Further, we find that the carrier’s proposed service and subsidy levels are reasonable and the carrier is providing satisfactory EAS at other communities on Kodiak Island.

By: Todd Homan


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