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McGrath's air service contract expires Nov. 30, and the feds haven't named a carrier
McGrath's federally subsidized air service contract to Anchorage expires Nov. 30, and four weeks out, the U.S. Department of Transportation hasn't announced which of four carriers will fly the route next.
The city asked for an answer in an Oct. 27 letter, saying it "understands that a decision was expected by now, but has not received an update." The uncertainty affects residents planning holiday travel and the current carrier's ability to plan its schedule, the letter says. As of Monday, no order picking a carrier had been posted.
The bids differ widely in price and service. They range from about $529,000 to $2.4 million a year. The current carrier, Alaska Air Transit, is paid about $586,000 this year for five weekly round trips on nine-seat planes. McGrath wants it to keep the route, flying twice as often at several times the cost.
The four carriers bid in July:
Alaska Air Transit, the current carrier, offered 10 weekly round trips to Merrill Field on Pilatus PC-12s, at about $2 million the first year and $2.4 million the second. Another option adds a third year at about $2.9 million. The carrier cites inflation and tariffs on aircraft parts, and says it already flies nine or more round trips a week while being paid for five.
Alaska Central Express offered five weekly round trips on nine-passenger Beech 1900Cs, at about $1.8 million and $1.9 million.
Ryan Air offered five weekly round trips on PC-12s to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, at about $529,000 and $552,000, with a $210 one-way fare.
Sterling Airways offered three weekly round trips to the international airport on 30-seat Saab 2000s, at about $1.16 million a year.
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About McGrath
McGrath (Digenegh) is a community in Interior Alaska on the upper Kuskokwim River, in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. It is a checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail, a regional aviation hub and home to the McGrath Fire Base.
Set in the roadless Interior, McGrath depends on air service, including a federally subsidized air service contract and FAA navigation facilities at its airport. The McGrath Fire Base is one of the last forward firefighting outposts, guarding a vast roadless stretch of the Interior, and crews respond to wildfires around the community.
The Kuskokwim brings flood watches during heavy storms. Tanana Chiefs Conference provides services in McGrath, with staff visiting to explain employment, assistance and education programs.