More than 90 public comments were submitted by a Dec. 19 deadline on the proposal to restore federally subsidized essential air service to Seward.
In March, Seward City Manager Kat Sorensen asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to restore the service, which had been discontinued in 2002 due to insufficient traffic.
In October, the department called for proposals by air service carriers to provide that service, to which Kenai Aviation and Reeve Air Alaska both responded.
A proposal dated Nov. 13, by Michael Reeve of Reeve Air Alaska, describes their plan to create a permanent presence in Seward and three weekly round-trip flights between Anchorage and Seward, upped to six from “late May through early September.”
Average one-way Seward fare would be around $175, they write.
Kenai Aviation, in a proposal submitted Nov. 14, say they could provide year-round coverage of three flights per week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — upped to six flights per week — Monday through Saturday — from May 1 to Sept. 30. Flights would leave Anchorage at 11 a.m. and depart Seward at noon.
“Kenai Aviation will be very open to discussion with the community on any changes to this proposed schedule,” they write.
Both proposals describe the use of twin-engine, nine-passenger craft. Reeve uses Beechcraft King Airs, while Kenai Aviation says they’ll use their Tecnam Travellers. Both proposals also describe plans to market their routes in and around Seward.
Reeve’s proposal describes a requested annual subsidy of $694,800 from the department for the first year, increased to $729,540 for the second year. That’s with 201 round-trip flights per year and total operating cost of $876,000.
Kenai Aviation calls for subsidy of $529,050 for the first year and $508,037 for the second year, with an annual operating cost of $665,732.
Of the comments submitted to the department, around 50 throw their support behind the proposals of either Reeve or Kenai Aviation. Most, around 35, including Aspen Hotels of Alaska, say they support Reeve over Kenai, citing the pressurized cabin of the King Air as well as their described marketing plan and intentions to build a permanent presence in Seward.
Conversely, the remaining roughly 15 — including Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche, the Seward Air Taxi and Harbor 360 Hotel — say they support Kenai Aviation’s bid. Many of those cite the instrument approach pattern described by Kenai Aviation CEO Jacob Caldwell to the Seward City Council as ensuring greater reliability of service in Seward’s rough weather.
More than 40 comments, greater than the share received by Reeve or Kenai Aviation, simply say they support restoration of essential air service in Seward. Seward residents and businesses say both that they would use the service and that it would add to Seward’s economic development.
“Reliable air service is not a luxury,” Janine Niebrugge wrote. “It is a necessity for our community’s residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Breeze Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Lounge Owner Colby Lawrence wrote that essential air service would attract tourists, provide a transportation and supply lifeline to residents, and support further economic growth in the region.
Having the opportunity to make medical appointments in Anchorage without having to risk driving in hazardous conditions is long overdue, Tom DeJulia wrote.
Seward Air Taxi, in a comment acknowledging that the service might affect their business, still say that the add would be “a positive step forward for the region.”
“A scheduled service will help ensure reliable connections for both residents and visitors, and will likely attract even more travel to Seward, benefiting the entire community,” they wrote. “Though it will impact my income, I trust that the long-term benefits for the city and the region will outweigh the short-term challenges for individual businesses.”
Per the call for proposals, “the department expects service to begin no later than 90 days after a final award is issued,” though the call doesn’t say by when that award is set to be announced.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
