Alaska Central Express, Corvus in dispute over certification

Resurgent Via Airlines' Alaskan plans run into difficulty

Ravn Alaska (7H, Anchorage Ted Stevens) is opposing plans by resurgent carrier Via Airlines, Inc. to resume commuter air services between Dutch Harbor/Unalaska and Anchorage, arguing the carrier has neglected to furnish full fleet details, expense data, and operational plans, according to a regulatory notice to the US Department of Transportation (DOT).

Ravn Alaska has asked the DOT to dismiss “as materially insufficient” Via’s notice and exemption application for the resumption of services; or alternatively, that response deadlines be tolled until Via files a “complete and compliant” notice.

Via, in October last year, filed an application with the DOT to resume commuter air services using a single E145. This comes after Via Airlines (VC, Orlando Int'l) went bust in 2019, where-after it was bought by Wexford Capital, through the Connecticut investment firm's subsidiary Via Acquisitions LLC, amid plans to relaunch as Sterling Airways (Jacksonville Craig, FL).

In July last year, Kalinin Holdings, Inc. t/a Alaska Seaplanes (J5, Juneau Int'l), a commuter airline in Southeast...

Ravn Alaska restarts scheduled services

Ravn Alaska (7H, Anchorage Ted Stevens) restarted scheduled services in Alaska on November 30, 2020, nearly seven months after its predecessor RavnAir Group stopped all operations before its subsequent bankruptcy.

Now owned by FLOAT, the carrier has been rebranded from Corvus Airlines but continues to operate using its old Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). It restarted operations in early November, half a year after the total grounding on April 2, 2020. However, due to the regulator proceedings, Ravn Alaska was only able to initially operate ad-hoc charter flights and then public charters as of November 13.

Following the restart of scheduled operations on November 30, the carrier's current network comprises services from Anchorage Ted Stevens to:

• Kenai (6x daily);
• Homer (12x weekly);
• Valdez (6x weekly);
• Fairbanks Int'l (daily);
• Saint Paul Island (3x weekly);
• Dutch Harbor (2x daily);
• Sand Point (2x weekly);
• Unalakleet (3x weekly);
• Kodiak (daily);
• Cold Bay (3x weekly).

It...

Ravn Alaska launches public charters ahead of scheduled ops

Ravn Alaska (7H, Anchorage Ted Stevens) launched scheduled charter flights on November 13, 2020, as it continues with efforts to secure the necessary certification needed to launch scheduled flights in the near future.

The airline said on its website that it will operate public charters from Anchorage Ted Stevens through the end of 2020, connecting the Alaskan gateway with Dutch Harbor (4x weekly), Homer (4x weekly), Kenai (4x weekly), Sand Point (2x weekly), and Valdez (4x weekly).

Ravn Alaska, which also offers private charters, said it is "in the final stages of receiving its scheduled route authority from the US Department of Transportation". It has yet to announce its scheduled network. `1

The carrier, which was rebranded from Corvus Airlines following the bankruptcy of former owner, RavnAir Group, and the acquisition by FLOAT, currently operates nine Dash 8-100s. Six of the aircraft are owned by FLOAT and the remaining three are dry-leased from Avmax Aircraft Leasing.

Ravn Alaska restarts operations under new owners