Regional carrier Ravn Alaska has ceased flight operations across the state, according to a message posted Thursday on the company’s website.
“We appreciate the years of service we were able to provide to Alaska communities,” the statement reads. “While we are no longer operating flights in Alaska, we’re grateful for the trust you placed in us during our time serving the region.” The company offered no further explanation for the shutdown.
For decades, Ravn Alaska served as a lifeline between many rural and urban communities, transporting passengers, mail, and cargo across a vast network. But the airline has struggled in recent years.
In 2023, Ravn filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a move attributed in part to the lingering financial damage from pandemic-era policies and the unionization of pilots.
The challenges deepened in February 2024, when the company laid off about 130 employees — more than a third of its workforce. CEO Rob McKinney departed soon after, and the airline brought in Southern California businessman Tom Hsieh to lead the company.
As of Thursday, Ravn’s website contained only the closure announcement, with no mention of future plans, other than saying the company was folded into New Pacific Airways, a company that is trying to launch Boeing 757 service in the Lower 48 and internationally.
Now what? How will this affect Bush Alaska?
There’s always someone willing to jump into rural Alaska air service, and lose money at it.
True – sd
RAVN was poorly run even prior to the China virus. They had bad cash flow and trouble meeting payroll.
FFS, they couldn’t make Kenai-Anchorage profitable. That’s an indication of their poor operations and mismanagement.
Ravn Alaska, originally Era Aviation. I refused to fly on years ago. I walked away from a small plane crash in the 70’s, not with Era but with that being said though, I do want an impeccable safety record when it comes to flying in small aircraft.
I remember when they were Frontier. I flew with them many times during my time working in the downriver villages. They were reliable and ran a tight ship.
Didn’t they shut down in 2020 ???
Air taxis are struggling.
We sold ours, too much overhead in the economy now for years.
Interesting they did crew changes for Alyeska pipeline wonder who is taking over that.?? That was a big job.
Ravn had problems much deeper than pandemic restrictions and pilot unionization (were their pilots even unionized? The article writer does understand the difference between Part 135 and Part 121, right?). The real problem was Rob McKinney. It would be safer and better for Alaskans if he never touches an airline up here again.
The union cut their own throat. Enjoy unemployment.
Don’t worry, Bernadette and her union puppet Tuck will solve all Alaska’s problems! Be sure to research your candidates folks.