Ravn Alaska
An Alaska-based regional airline that connected small communities through scheduled passenger, cargo, and charter services.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
Ravn Alaska was an Alaska-based regional airline headquartered in Anchorage, with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport serving as its principal hub. Operating under the corporate name New Pacific Airlines, Inc., the company used the Ravn Alaska brand for scheduled flights and was known for serving communities that have limited road, rail, or alternative transportation links. Its network at various points extended to more than 100 Alaskan cities and communities, although its peak scheduled network covered approximately 12 communities at one time. The airline also provided cargo transportation and statewide charter services. The brand emerged from a longer chain of Alaskan aviation businesses. Its historical lineage included Economy Helicopters, founded in 1948 by Carl Brady, which later became Era Helicopters and developed extensive experience supporting oil exploration, pipeline construction, mapping, and remote-area logistics. The organization added fixed-wing aircraft during the construction of the Alyeska Pipeline and introduced scheduled passenger service in 1983. After multiple ownership and corporate-structure changes, the fixed-wing airline businesses associated with Era, Hageland Aviation Services, Frontier Flying Service, and Arctic Circle Air Service were brought together under HoTH Inc. in 2009 and marketed as Era Alaska. In 2014, Era Alaska was reorganized and rebranded to reduce confusion with other companies using the Era name. The principal scheduled airline became Ravn Alaska, Era Airlines became Corvus Airlines, and Hageland Aviation Services and Frontier Flying Service continued under their own names while operating as part of the Ravn Connect structure. J.F. Lehman and Company acquired a majority stake in Ravn in 2016, while then-chief executive Bob Hajdukovich retained a minority interest. Ravn also acquired Yute Air’s aircraft, assets, and routes in 2017, expanding its role in western and rural Alaska. The company’s business was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 5, 2020, Ravn halted its entire operation, furloughed or laid off its workforce, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The shutdown abruptly removed scheduled air service from numerous rural communities. At the subsequent bankruptcy auction, the group’s operating assets were divided among other buyers: Ravn Connect’s Part 135 operations were sold in pieces, while the Part 121 businesses associated with Corvus Airlines and PenAir were sold to FLOAT Shuttle. Ravn Alaska later obtained Federal Aviation Administration approval to resume operations and restarted limited service in November 2020, initially through public charters and then through scheduled flights after receiving United States Department of Transportation authority. The post-bankruptcy airline operated a reduced network centered on Anchorage and serving destinations including Dutch Harbor, Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, Sand Point, and Valdez. Its parent company also promoted Northern Pacific Airways, a proposed long-haul low-cost airline intended to connect North America and Asia through Anchorage. Ravn Alaska nevertheless faced continuing financial and operating pressure. In February 2024, chief executive Rob McKinney announced that 130 employees had been laid off, attributing the reduction to inflation, labor shortages, and unexpected competition on some routes. The airline progressively reduced its remaining service and operated its final flight, from Valdez to Anchorage, on August 5, 2025. On January 26, 2026, Float Alaska filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, reporting assets of between $1 million and $10 million and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million.
History
Ravn Alaska’s history is rooted in the development of remote-area aviation in Alaska. Its broader corporate lineage reaches back to Economy Helicopters, founded by Carl Brady on June 20, 1948. Brady flew an early commercial helicopter to Alaska for a United States government mapping contract. The business later became Era Helicopters and built a substantial presence supporting offshore oil activity and other industrial operations. In 1967, Houston-based Rowan Companies acquired the company from its founder. During construction of the Alyeska Pipeline, the organization expanded beyond helicopters and established a fixed-wing division. It operated aircraft such as the de Havilland Canada Twin Otter and Convair 580, which were suited to Alaska’s long distances, small airports, and limited infrastructure. After pipeline construction ended, the company identified scheduled passenger flying as an additional opportunity. Passenger service began in May 1983, with Convair aircraft serving communities including Valdez, Kenai, Kodiak, Cordova, and Homer. Twin Otters based in Bethel served smaller communities in the surrounding region. In 1988, Era Helicopters formally changed its name to Era Aviation and reorganized its aviation activities. The years from 2004 through 2006 brought major structural turbulence, including ownership changes, the separation of the helicopter division, and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing followed by emergence from bankruptcy. The helicopter business was no longer part of the later airline combination. In early 2009, HoTH Inc., the holding company behind Hageland Aviation Services and Frontier Flying Service, acquired Era Aviation. Later that year it also acquired Arctic Circle Air Service, a local cargo carrier. The combined group adopted the Era Alaska name, using Era’s recognition in the Alaskan market. In January 2014, the group undertook another naming and structural change. Era Alaska became Ravn Alaska, Era Airlines became Corvus Airlines, and Hageland Aviation Services and Frontier Flying Service operated within the wider organization as Ravn Connect. J.F. Lehman and Company acquired a majority interest in Ravn in August 2016, while Bob Hajdukovich retained the remaining shares at that time. On March 5, 2017, Ravn acquired the aircraft and other owned assets of Yute Air after that carrier shut down, taking over its routes. In January 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration approved a safety management system for Ravn modeled on systems used by larger United States airlines. The airline’s most consequential disruption came in 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic sharply reduced travel, Ravn stopped all operations on April 5, laid off its staff, and entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The sudden loss of service affected numerous communities that relied on the airline for passenger travel, medical access, freight, mail, and other essential connections. Local officials, including representatives of the North Slope Borough, explored whether they could take control of airline assets to preserve service, but the Alaska attorney general determined that they lacked authority to do so. Other small carriers provided some replacement flying, often on a charter basis. The bankruptcy auction divided the group’s businesses. Ravn Connect’s Part 135 operations were sold in separate transactions, while the Part 121 operations associated with Corvus Airlines and PenAir were sold to FLOAT Shuttle. Ravn Alaska subsequently received FAA approval to resume service on October 14, 2020. It began limited public-charter operations on November 13 to Dutch Harbor, Homer, Kenai, Sand Point, and Valdez. On November 30, after receiving scheduled-route authority from the Department of Transportation, it resumed scheduled service under the Ravn Alaska name, adding Kodiak to the announced network. In 2021, the parent company announced Northern Pacific Airways, a proposed low-cost airline targeting North American–Asian travel with an Anchorage stopover. Corvus Airlines was renamed Northern Pacific Airways in connection with that plan. Ravn Alaska itself continued as a smaller regional carrier, operating scheduled and charter services in Alaska. In February 2024, CEO Rob McKinney announced that 130 employees had been laid off, citing inflation, labor shortages, and competition on certain routes. The airline then progressively reduced its remaining network and completed its final flight between Valdez and Anchorage on August 5, 2025. On January 26, 2026, Float Alaska filed for Chapter 11 protection, marking a further bankruptcy event affecting the group after Ravn’s earlier 2020 restructuring.
- 2026
Float Alaska files for Chapter 11
[1]Float Alaska files for Chapter 11 protection, reporting assets between $1 million and $10 million and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million.
- 2025
Final Ravn Alaska flight
[1]The airline operates its last flight, from Valdez to Anchorage, on August 5.
- 2024
Workforce reduction announced
[1]Ravn announces the layoff of 130 employees amid financial and competitive pressures.
- 2021
Northern Pacific Airways is announced
[1]The parent company announces Northern Pacific Airways, a proposed low-cost carrier intended to connect North America and Asia via Anchorage with Boeing 757 aircraft; Corvus Airlines is renamed Northern Pacific Airways in connection with the plan.
- 2020
Pandemic shutdown and Chapter 11 filing
[1]Ravn stops all operations on April 5 and files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
- 2020
Operations resume after restructuring
[1]FAA approval is obtained in October, public-charter service begins in November, and scheduled operations resume later that month.
- 2018
FAA approves a safety management system
[1]Ravn receives approval to implement a safety management system modeled on those used by larger United States airlines.
- 2017
Yute Air assets and routes are acquired
[1]Ravn purchases Yute Air’s aircraft and other owned assets after Yute Air ceases operations.
- 2016
J.F. Lehman and Company acquires a majority stake
[1]The New York-based investment firm takes a majority interest in Ravn; Bob Hajdukovich retains the remaining shares at the time.
- 2014
Era Alaska becomes Ravn Alaska
[1]The group changes its principal airline branding to Ravn Alaska, while related operating companies receive separate names and roles.
Products and positioning
Essential regional air-service provider for remote Alaskan communities
Passenger aviation · 1983
Scheduled passenger service
Ravn Alaska’s core offering was scheduled regional air travel between Anchorage and communities across Alaska. The network was designed for short-haul and medium-range travel in a state where many settlements lack reliable road access. Routes changed over time, but the post-2020 network included Dutch Harbor, Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, Sand Point, and Valdez.
Air freight
Regional air cargo
The wider Ravn group and its predecessor companies carried freight and supplies to remote Alaskan communities. Cargo activity was particularly important for locations dependent on aircraft for food, mail, commercial goods, and other essential shipments.
Charter aviation · 2020
Public charter and statewide charter service
After the 2020 bankruptcy, Ravn used public-charter arrangements managed through Ravn Travel while awaiting scheduled-route authority. It also provided charter transportation within Alaska, allowing service to continue in markets that did not have a regular scheduled route.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Flying Wild Alaska
United States
Discovery Channel’s reality television series Flying Wild Alaska began documenting the operations of the Era Alaska group, including its employees, aircraft, and challenging Alaskan flying environment. The program ran for three seasons and 31 episodes through July 2012, giving the predecessor brand broad television exposure.
Outcome. The program ran for three seasons and 31 episodes through July 2012, giving the predecessor brand broad television exposure.
Brand decisions
2024
Reduce the workforceStrategyBackground
Ravn faced inflation, labor shortages, and unexpected competition on some routes.
Action taken
CEO Rob McKinney announced layoffs affecting 130 employees.
Aftermath
The workforce reduction preceded the progressive withdrawal from remaining routes and the end of Ravn Alaska flight operations in 2025.
2021
Plan Northern Pacific AirwaysProduct launchBackground
Ravn’s parent company sought to develop a separate long-haul airline using Anchorage’s geographic position between North America and Asia.
Action taken
The parent announced Northern Pacific Airways as a proposed low-cost carrier intended to operate North America–Asia services via Anchorage, with Boeing 757 aircraft planned.
Aftermath
The plan broadened the group’s ambitions beyond Ravn Alaska’s regional role, but the reference material does not establish a completed launch of the proposed service.
2020
Suspend operations and enter Chapter 11OtherBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an abrupt collapse in travel demand and created severe operational and financial pressure.
Action taken
Ravn shut down its entire operation on April 5, laid off its staff, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Aftermath
Many rural communities lost scheduled air service, the operating businesses were sold or separated in bankruptcy, and replacement service was partly provided by other carriers on a charter basis.
2020
Restart service after bankruptcy restructuringStrategyBackground
Following the sale and restructuring of parts of the former group, Ravn sought regulatory approval to restore at least part of its Alaskan network.
Action taken
The airline obtained FAA approval in October, launched public-charter flights in November, and resumed scheduled operations after receiving Department of Transportation authority.
Aftermath
Ravn returned to a smaller network centered on Anchorage, including service to several major regional and rural destinations.
2017
Acquire Yute Air assets and routesM&ABackground
Yute Air shut down, leaving aircraft, assets, and routes serving western Alaskan communities available for acquisition.
Action taken
Ravn purchased all of Yute Air’s aircraft and other owned assets and took over its routes.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Ravn’s presence in rural Alaska.
2014
Rebrand Era Alaska as Ravn AlaskaStrategyBackground
The group sought to reduce confusion with other businesses using the Era name, including the separate helicopter company descended from the earlier organization.
Action taken
Era Alaska was renamed Ravn Alaska; Era Airlines became Corvus Airlines, while Hageland Aviation Services and Frontier Flying Service operated as Ravn Connect.
Aftermath
The Ravn name became the principal consumer-facing identity for the group’s scheduled Alaskan airline services.
Recent events
- 2026
Float Alaska files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection[1]
Bankruptcy
Float Alaska, identified as Ravn Alaska’s parent company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the airline had ceased operating scheduled flights.
- 2025
Ravn Alaska operates its final flight[1]
Other
After progressively reducing its network, Ravn Alaska operated its final flight from Valdez to Anchorage on August 5.
- 2024
Ravn Alaska lays off 130 employees amid financial pressure[1]
Leadership change · Other
CEO Rob McKinney announced a workforce reduction of 130 employees, citing inflation, labor shortages, and unexpected competition on some routes.
- 2021
Ravn announces Northern Pacific Airways plan[1]
Product launch
Ravn’s parent company announced plans for Northern Pacific Airways, a proposed low-cost carrier intended to connect North America and Asia through Anchorage.
- 2020
Ravn Alaska shuts down operations and files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy[1]
Bankruptcy
Ravn halted its entire operation during the COVID-19 travel collapse, dismissed its workforce, and entered Chapter 11 proceedings. The shutdown left many rural Alaskan communities without regular scheduled air service.
- 2020
Ravn Alaska assets are sold through bankruptcy auction[1]
Bankruptcy · M&A
The company’s Part 135 and Part 121 operations were separated and sold to other buyers, including FLOAT Shuttle, as part of the bankruptcy process.
- 2020
Ravn Alaska receives approval to resume operations[1]
Regulation
The Federal Aviation Administration approved the airline’s return to service in October. Limited public-charter flights began in November, followed by scheduled service after Department of Transportation authority was restored.
Sources4 sources
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