Six of 7 roadless Alaska towns draw single, pricier bids for air service

Six of the seven roadless Alaska communities whose federally subsidized air service went out to bid this summer drew just one proposal each, from the carrier already flying there. Every proposal asks the U.S. Department of Transportation for more money than the current contract pays. Only Lake Minchumina drew a second bidder.

Alaska News reported Sept. 4 that the routes were open for bids. New contract terms start between Nov. 1 and March 1, 2027, and no selection has been made for any of the seven communities. The cost and traffic figures below are the carriers' own.

The largest request is in Southeast Alaska. Alaska Seaplanes, the only bidder, is asking for $11.9 million over four years to keep flying to Angoon, Elfin Cove, Pelican and Tenakee Springs. That is 71% more than the roughly $6.95 million the current four-year contract pays.

Service to Juneau International Airport would not change: from up to 10 weekly peak-season round trips to Angoon to as few as two off-peak trips to Elfin Cove.

The proposal, signed by chief executive Kent Craford, says passenger traffic "continues to face headwinds in Southeast Alaska," citing expensive airfares and private vessels including lodge boats and seasonal catamarans. It also cites an aging fleet, rising maintenance expenses and difficulty recruiting certificated mechanics. The carrier projects Pelican passengers falling from 1,025 to 711 over the term and Elfin Cove's from 377 to 303.

The Pelican letter of support calls the carrier, for much of the year, the community's "only access for food security, medical and business services, mail and transportation."

Comments from the four communities are due Nov. 2. The new term would begin Feb. 1, 2027.

Grant Aviation filed the only bid for Ekwok, asking about $310,000 in the first year, 12% above the current $276,193 payment. Service would stay at three flights a week to Dillingham on a six-seat Cessna 207. Comments are due Nov. 5.

Grant Aviation also filed the only bid for King Cove, asking about $3.9 million over two years for 12 weekly round trips to Cold Bay, 22% above the current two-year contract of about $3.2 million.

At Lake Minchumina, incumbent Wright Air Service asks $234,900 a year for two weekly round trips to Fairbanks. Tatonduk Outfitters, doing business as Everts Air Alaska, asks $330,000 a year, 54% more than the current $213,600 contract, and proposes flying a Pilatus PC-12 twice weekly with $100 one-way fares. The Minchumina Homeowner's Association endorsed Wright Air in an Aug. 14 letter, citing its responsiveness to medical evacuation requests.

Federal law directs the department to weigh six factors for Alaska routes: reliability, ticketing ties with a larger carrier, community preference, marketing plans, Alaska experience and total compensation. The Lake Minchumina contract expires Oct. 31 and King Cove's on Nov. 30.