New Beginnings, New Horizons.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha

Even before COVID-19 made business incredibly difficult for airlines across the world, Alaska's regional air carriers were dealing with some turbulence. RavnAir grounding its fleet and subsequently filing for bankruptcy earty in 2020 was a particularly harsh blow to many Alaska communities that depended on its services. But despite the challenges of the pandemic, Ravn Alaska and Rambler Air--both under new ownership--are eyeing the skies once again and gearing up to provide critical aviation services for Alaskans.

Rambler Air

Ascent Global Logistics announced in November that it acquired Hageland Aviation Services, a Part 135 air carrier, which was founded in 1981 in Mountain Village and most recently operated as Ravn Connect.

With the acquisition, in 2021 Ascent Global Logistics is launching Rambler Air, which will provide commuter flights and passenger and cargo charter.

Rambler Air's fleet will be comprised of eight Piper Chieftain Navajos and two Beechcraft 1900Ds and will be headquartered at Lake Hood in Anchorage.

Ascent Global Logistics President and CEO Tom Stenglein says, "We enter Alaska with more than four decades of running USA Jet, a 121 and 135 certified airline, in the Lower 48 states. We look forward to bringing our track record of safety, operational excellence, and reliable service to Alaska."

And according to Rambler Air Director of Operation Luke Hickerson, the company is planning on creating up to forty-five professional aviation jobs in Alaska: "We have assembled a team of Alaska's best in aviation with a passion for serving the unique transportation needs of our state. This is a market we are investing in for the long haul."

Ravn Alaska

In early August, CEO Rob McKinney and...