Alaska Airlines started its seasonal summer service in the Bay earlier than normal this spring, after RAVN Air Group declared bankruptcy in April. They officially announced year-round service for Dillingham and King Salmon one month later.
Alaska Airlines unveiled new aircraft for the Bristol Bay region Sunday, just in time for fall and winter flight scheduling, which starts this week. The E175 is a jet that can seat up to 76 passengers between first class, premium and the main cabin.
The E175 will fly once a day between Dillingham, King Salmon and Anchorage. Regional vice president Marylin Romano says the jet marks a new era for the airline.
“These communities have meant a lot to us," Romano said. "We got our start, our very first airplane 1932, was between Anchorage and Bristol Bay. So it marks for us this opportunity to fly year round is pretty special for our company, our employees and our closeness to these communities.”
Alaska Airlines started its seasonal summer service in the Bay earlier than normal this spring, after RAVN Air Group declared bankruptcy in April. They officially announced year-round service for Dillingham and King Salmon one month later.
The E175 will operate until next summer. The airline will then switch back to the Boeing 737 to accommodate the influx of seasonal workers flying into the region.
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