When Peninsula Airways apologized to customers last week for recent flight delays and cancellations by offering $49 companion fares to affected communities, Unalaska was conspicuously absent from their list.

That’s because Alaska Airlines and PenAir have what’s called a “capacity purchase agreement” in place for flights between Anchorage and Unalaska.  Basically what that means is that Alaska buys every seat on those PenAir and then re-sells them.  So really it’s an Alaska Airlines flight.  Here’s PenAir CEO Danny Seybert.

“They set the ticket prices and they control the inventory and we provide the airplanes and the pilots.”

Seybert says that’s why PenAir couldn’t offer companion fares to Unalaska.

“Because PenAir doesn’t sell or market any tickets to and from Unalaska.”

And according to Alaska Air Marketing Director Scott Habberstad, his company was only informed about the apology after the fact.

“We were made aware of this program on Monday and we’re in talks with them right now about it.  So nothing is set for Dutch Harbor, but we are talking to PenAir about that.”

In the meantime, locals like Sonia Streitmatter are struggling to decide who should take responsibility for the apology.

“We’ve definitely been wronged by PenAir… and Alaska Airlines.  It’s good that it’s AK Air operated.  It’s an advantage.  But on the other hand, we have suffered a lot.”

So, who’s responsible?  Well, it’s complicated. 

PenAir had the mechanical problems that caused so the delays.  Here’s Alaska’s Habberstad.

“PenAir’s had some challenges with their fleet.  They’re in the process of addressing those.  We do believe that issue is behind us.”

But Alaska sells the seats on those planes.  Let’s replay Seybert.

“They set the ticket prices and they control the inventory”

Except Alaska still doesn’t have planes to send out to Unalaska - they rely on PenAir.  Here’s Habberstad again.

“Had PenAir had another plane available to add to the market, we would have put it in the market.  But those aircraft were in maintenance.”

Does that put the ball back in PenAir’s court then?  Seybert says not quite. 

“Alaska Airlines sells the tickets.  So I can’t offer a special on behalf of Alaska Airlines.”

With one company handling the operations and the other managing the marketing side, it doesn’t look like Unalaska will be getting the same deal as other PenAir communities.

Seybert did offer an apology though.   

“The only thing I can do there is offer you guys a heartfelt apology that we have not done a very good job lately, but I can promise you that we are going to get better.”

And Habberstad says he will tackle customer complaints himself if problems persist.

“Our Customer Care team is fantastic.  They’re going to follow up.  If it’s an issue that continues and persists, I’m going to personally get involved.”

And if delays continue, there’s always the airport bar.  Who knows, you might even see the Customer Care team there.