The US Department of Transportation has decided to suspend the subsidised air service to each of Chatham and Funter Bay in Alaska effective October 1, 2018. The locations have only two and three inhabitants, respectively.
Currently, Ward Air (Juneau International) operates the Essential Air Service (EAS) routes to each of the two communities. The regional specialist serves Chatham and Funter Bay out of Juneau International using a floats-equipped Cessna (single piston) 185 Skywagon. For the 12 months ending on September 30, it will receive a combined USD20,088 subsidy for both routes.
While the DOT initially wanted to extend the EAS contract and sought offers from carriers in March, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities suggested that in the light of the very low number of inhabitants this makes limited sense.
"I recommend that subsidized air service be suspended at Chatham and Funter Bay unless and until there are more than 25 permanent residents living in the community. I request that both sites remain on the EAS eligible list so that future EAS service may be reconsidered should the number of permanent residents increase sufficiently," a State official wrote.
Ward Air will be allowed to continue service to both communities after the current EAS contract expires at the end of September, but will not receive any further subsidy.
