Frontier Alaska: strategic partnership profitable for airgroup.

• Author: Ribeiro, Ana Gonzalez
• Position: 2009 Alaska's Top 49ers: TRAILBLAZERS leading the state's top business

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Many airlines across the United States have undergone numerous operational changes over the past several years transforming the world of travel. Alaska air travel has been at the forefront of some of these changes. One Alaska airline company, Frontier Alaska, has undergone several company modifications over the past few years that promise to bring many positive changes to the company and to air transportation statewide.

AIRLINE HISTORY

Frontier Alaska Flying Service Inc. started out as Frontier Flying in 1959 when former U.S. Air Force Capt. Richard McIntyre started the company as a charter service for hunters and fisherman to rural bush communities. As customer demand grew, flight requests increased and the airline found itself expanding travel beyond sportsmen to include a wider range of commuters.

In 1974, the airline was bought by John and Marcia Hajdukovich and became a small family owned and operated regional airline based in Fairbanks. At one time all seven children of the Hajdukovich clan have held positions in management operations, marketing and customer service. During the years under the new ownership, the company went through a series of transitions, acquiring and replacing better aircraft able to travel to more villages across the mountains and capable of flying at higher altitudes and at sub-zero temperatures.

The new owners and their children focused on pinpointing new markets to flourish in and more opportunities for transport. During this time, the aircraft was used to transport sick sled dogs to veterinarians, animal carcasses, smoke jumpers, firefighters to nearby fire sites, human remains to burial sites, prisoners and their armed guards when requested by the Department of Justice, and little leaguers and their coaches to their games.

STRATEGIC CHANGES

Frontier Flying now operates under the brand name Frontier Alaska. The company has been through several structural changes recently. Last year Frontier Flying joined its main competitor Hageland Aviation by forming the aviation holding company HoTH Inc. The joining of Frontier Flying with Hageland Aviation created a common owner for the two carriers but still allowed for each airline to operate independently. Each carrier operates distinct flight service destinations in rural Alaska, thus avoiding overlapping of services. One of the goals of joining forces was to become more cost effective and build on each company's strengths. Also last year...