The City of Kenai voted to authorize the city manager to enter into an airline operating agreement and terminal area lease with Rambler Air. Hageland Aviation, doing business as Rambler Air indicated their intent to operate in Alaska once necessary state and federal requirements have been met and start flights in and out of the Kenai Airport beginning in May 2021 or soon thereafter.
Kenai Municipal Airport Manager Mary Bondurant said that Hageland Aviation requested to start scheduled service between the Kenai Airport and Ted Stevens International Airport, “You know, due to the pandemic, things have been really slow. We’re attempting to recover and they have a lot that they had to get in order. They’re starting up new under 135 certificate. They still don’t have approval yet through the FAA, but they hoped mid-May. Six state flights a day, seven days a week is what they’re anticipating. I know, for sure, there’ll be Navajos. I’m not sure about the 1900s, but we’re excited that they’re coming in.”
Hageland Aviation reportedly must sign the City of Kenai’s airline operating agreement and terminal area lease incorporating the four amendments like Grant Aviation and RAVN Alaska have done. In anticipation of the FAA approval, the goal is to have an agreement with the city of Kenai in place so that there wouldn’t be any additional delay time.
Luke Hickerson, the Director of Operations for the airline spoke to KSRM in December saying, “We are shooting for the first quarter of 2021. That would depend on the approval from the FAA or revalidation of the certificate by the FAA as well as COVID and this pandemic, I think will drive a lot as well.”
The City Council unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2021-24.
