PenAir Cutting Back on Service to Southwest Alaska
Thursday, August 02 2012
PenAir is cutting back on service to remote communities in southwest Alaska. The airline announced Wednesday that going forward, it will focus on flights to hub communities, like Unalaska and Dillingham.
The largest community that the announcement will affect is Akutan. PenAir President Danny Seybert sent a letter to the Department of Transportation Wednesday notifying them that the airline no longer wants to fly to the community. PenAir’s Akutan service has been financed by federal subsidies through the DOT’s Essential Air Service program. PenAir’s EAS contract for Akutan isn’t set to expire until April 2013, but Seybert says the airline wants to cut that route as soon as September 1. That’s when Akutan’s new airstrip, on uninhabited Akun Island, is set to open.
PenAir had originally intended to phase out the Goose, which now lands on the water near Akutan, once the new airstrip was ready. But Akun’s airstrip will lack weather monitoring and an instrument approach. The Goose is the only PenAir plane that can land without those tools.
The DOT says it will will seek new bids for the federal contract to Akun. But until a new EAS provider is on board, PenAir will honor its contract and fly the Goose to Akun, landing on the new airstrip instead of in the water.
me again another thought on Monday, August 13 2012:
I really like finally we can post after thoughts! Also wish we had a way to edit post spelling reply to individual thoughts. But even more important wish is; if the webmaster reads this post. Please reformat this wonderful site. Popular news items are quickly buried by other news. An easier way navigate to find past news. Maybe smaller print for one thing could fit more news on one page like ADN Ancorage Daily. News
another though on Monday, August 13 2012:
We just recently have another airline here that transports passengers; Ace Air Cargo. But the price Dutch Harbor to Anchorage is even more. I have not flown them yet because it cost more. Why doesn't Ace Air cargo make the price/fare lower then Pen Air? We still very much need better and cheaper tickets.
Concerned Citizen on Wednesday, August 08 2012:
First off, I am not sure who the president of PenAir is. In one document, I read Scott Bloomquist is the president, and in another, I read that Danny Seybert is. A petty point, anyway, as a citizen of the community of Unalaska, I find it disappointing that after all this time, we have had on PenAir to deal with. It offends me to no end, that the only airline here in Unalaska, and with a captivated audience, finds nothing wrong in poor customer services, selected customer service, price gouging, and disregard to the very people who made PenAir who they are today, in Unalaska.
A quote form Seybert, “Since our humble beginning, the airline industry has dramatically changed those changes have forced us to refocus our business”. You would think the refocus would mean better customer service in booking/rebooking flights that have been delayed, adjusting fees for customers who live in Unalaska year round, open seats for residence of Unalaska first then assign or charter for the fishing industries employees.
You would think refocusing would mean finding a way to make travel better for those who lined their pockets for all this years, but no….instead it is opting to stop service to the rural communities who have no or worse options for modes of travel.
I hope these comments get back to those that can, and might make a difference, to those who care about their customer base, and those who have held loyal for all those years, only to see the same boloney continue.
I for one would welcome a new competitor to Unalaska
Joe T. Plumber on Saturday, August 04 2012:
~taxpayer~ The airport on Akun was built in part because PenAir said they were going to phase out the Gumman Goose and fly the Saab into Akun. Trident does have their own plane, but I'm sure they believe it's to fancy to put a bunch of processors on. The Trident plants are a shining example of a class society.
taxpayer on Saturday, August 04 2012:
just one thought... we just paid for a $77 million airport on Akun. There are no residents on Akun and only about 100 residents on Akutan. How about Trident Seafoods buy their own airplane. 90% of Akutan inhabitants work do not live on Akutan.
Rodfather on Friday, August 03 2012:
So ready for a real airline not when air! Danny Seaburt can kiss off and go somewhere else! Come on ERA we need a real airline in the Aluetians!
patty on Thursday, August 02 2012:
penair needs to go, danny should just drop all the communities now and quit dangling us as he gets his other hubs up and going and than drop the aleutians. We deserve to get a new airline that can provide the people with descent customer services, reasonable fares and on time scheduled flight. Instead of this sshmuck who is just lining his pockets at his convienance.
KQA LOTR on Thursday, August 02 2012:
Thanks a lot, Danny Seybert! You really are something else. Era should take over all the Aleutian Island communities!
big mike on Thursday, August 02 2012:
As a longtime resident of Dutch Harbor i believe we should have looked for a new Airline a longtime ago.Pen Air is one of the worst Airlines i ever encountered.
Dutch Baby on Thursday, August 02 2012:
Hopefully another airline does step up and also decide to take over the Unalaska flights, or at least give WhenAir some competition.
Joe T. Plumber on Thursday, August 02 2012:
Maybe a reliable airline like ERA will fly to Akutan now that they have the facilities. Ooo, if ERA does fly to Akutan that would give Unalaskans the opportunity to have a reliable airline as well.
Alice on Thursday, August 02 2012:
All I can say is wow. When we need them the most