Aleutian Airways is a joint venture between Sterling Airways and Alaska Seaplanes which offers scheduled flights between Anchorage and Southwest Alaska.
History The routes served by Aleutian Airways were traditionally served by PenAir, which was purchased out of bankruptcy by Ravn Air group in 2018. Following a collapse in air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ravn Alaska filed for bankruptcy, and the operating certificate for PenAir was again put up for sale. Alaska Seaplanes, which had been outbid by Ravn for PenAir in 2018 was again outbid for PenAir.
Alaska Seaplanes then entered into a joint venture with Sterling Airways to offer service to Southwest Alaska under the name Aleutian Airways. The airline utilizes ex-PenAir Saab 2000 aircraft, flown by ex-PenAir staff.
Aleutian Airways began scheduled service with a flight from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor on November 16th, 2022.Connecting the chain Airliner World March 2026 pages 36-40
Corporate structure Aleutian Airways is a joint venture between Wexford Capital, Mckinley Alaska Private Investment, and FAA certified air carriers Air Excursions and Kalinin Aviation d/b/a Alaska Seaplanes. Alaska Seaplanes operates the back-office and ticket sales, while Wexford subsidiary Sterling Airways is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft.
Sterling Airways
Wexford Capital purchased Florida-based ViaAir with the intent of rebranding the airline and serving markets in the Southeast, Midwest, and Alaska. The airline was renamed Sterling, and the Embraer aircraft replaced with 4 leased Saab 2000s. Currently, the only routes they are flying are those flown under the Aleutian Airways brand.
Wexford Capital has a history with airlines, starting with the purchase of the former Alaskan airline MarkAir's assets out of bankruptcy in 1995. Wexford went on to purchase and reorganize Republic Airways. Several of Sterling's current employees formerly worked at Republic, including Wayne Heller, Sterling's CEO.
Destinations + List of destinations () City Country (Subdivision) IATA Airport Notes Anchorage USA (Alaska) ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Base Cold Bay USA (Alaska) CDB Cold Bay Airport Unalaska / Dutch Harbor USA (Alaska) DUT Unalaska Airport Homer USA (Alaska) HOM Homer Airport Kenai USA (Alaska) ENA Kenai Municipal Airport King Salmon USA (Alaska) AKN King Salmon Airport Seasonal Sand Point USA (Alaska) SDP Sand Point Airport St. Mary's USA (Alaska) KSM St. Mary's Airport St. Paul USA (Alaska) SNP St. Paul Island Airport Unalakleet USA (Alaska) UNK Unalakleet Airport
Fleet
, the Aleutian Airways fleet includes the following aircraft: +Aleutian Airways fleetAircraftIn serviceOrdersPassengersNotesATR 42-600 1 — Saab 2000 4 —Former PenAir aircraft.Total5—
References