Ravn Alaska Expands Its Network to Serve McGrath

Ravn Alaska announced it is expanding its network to provide nonstop service to McGrath beginning October 15, 2018. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Ravn its first Essential Air Service (EAS) contract to support the airline’s expansion to McGrath, a city and village on the Kuskokwim River located 221 miles northwest of Anchorage. As part of the contract, Ravn will fly three weekly nonstop round trips to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

“McGrath is a vital transportation and economic hub, and we could not be more excited to start serving the community with Ravn’s safe, affordable and reliable service,” said Ravn’s President and CEO Dave Pflieger. “Ravn prides itself in connecting Alaska’s diverse communities, people and businesses—especially those located in remote areas like McGrath.”

PenAir previously provided the Essential Air Service to McGrath, with Ravn taking over service on October 15.

“We’d also like to thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for placing its confidence in Ravn and look forward to delivering continued enhancements across our growing network. Alaskans everywhere are invited to check out our convenient flight schedules, fares and FlyAway frequent flyer rewards program at flyravn.com,” added Pflieger.

“Safe, reliable, year-round air service is essential to the survival of our community,” said McGrath Mayor Ralph Morgan who, along with the McGrath Native Village Council, recommended Ravn to the Department of Transportation as part of its EAS carrier selection process.

“McGrath Native Village Council supports Ravn Alaska because of the many benefits it provides. Ravn also has a terminal in the main airport at Ted Stevens International to assist in making connecting flights accessible. And, it offers online booking and partner airline agreements to provide our tribal members and visitors more travel options,” added Alice Dale, 1st Chief of the McGrath Native Village Council.

Beginning Oct. 15, 2018, Ravn will operate three roundtrip flights from Anchorage to McGrath on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

All flights will be aboard Ravn’s fleet of Bombardier Dash-8 aircraft.

Essential Air Service is a U.S. government program enacted to guarantee that small communities in the United States maintain commercial service. The U.S. Department of Transportation subsidizes airlines to serve communities across the country that otherwise would not receive scheduled air service. As of June 1, 2015, 159 communities in the U.S. received EAS subsidies, of which 44 were in Alaska, two were in Hawaii, and one community in Puerto Rico.

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