Six of seven Alaska air service routes draw one bid each, all seeking more federal money

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.

The flights are paid for through the federal Essential Air Service program. Alaska News reported Sept. 4 that the routes were open for bids. New contract terms start between Nov. 1 and March 1, 2027, and the department has not selected a carrier 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 would stay at current levels, ranging from up to 10 weekly round trips to Angoon in peak season to as few as two a week to Elfin Cove off-peak.

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 costs 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.

Pelican's 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 Southeast 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. 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. King Cove's contract expires Nov. 30.

Lake Minchumina's contract expires sooner, on Oct. 31. Incumbent Wright Air Service asks $234,900 a year for two weekly round trips to Fairbanks, about 10% more than the current $213,600. Tatonduk Outfitters, doing business as Everts Air Alaska, asks $330,000 a year, 54% more, and proposes flying a Pilatus PC-12 twice a week 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.