Alaska Airport Could Regain Air Service After 22-Year Hiatus

One community is set to be reincorporated into the federal government’s Essential Air Service program.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 11:47 AM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

A Kenai Aviation aircraft [Credit: Kenai Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Seward, Alaska, is set to regain scheduled air service to Anchorage after a 22-year hiatus, following a petition to the U.S. DOT for inclusion in the Essential Air Service (EAS) program.
Two carriers, Kenai Aviation and Reeve Air Alaska, are bidding for the subsidized contract, proposing 3 to 6 weekly flights with subsidy requests ranging from $1 million to $1.4 million.
The reintroduction of flights is advocated as vital for supporting local businesses, the community, and significantly improving access to healthcare, especially with a new clinic opening.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will make a decision after a public comment period concludes on December 19.

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Following a 22-year pause, Seward, Alaska, may once again see scheduled flights. The town’s airport last had scheduled air service in 2002.

According to a website article on Public Radio for the Central Kenai Peninsula (KBBI-AM 890 in Homer, Alaska), two carriers are bidding to serve Seward after City Manager Kat Sorensen petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation to have the town restored to the EAS program.