The Federal Aviation Administration has approved Aleutian Airways to begin flying in Alaska, according to a statement from the airline Thursday morning.
They say they are cleared for flights to Cold Bay, King Salmon and Dillingham, but are still awaiting FAA approval to land in Dutch Harbor and Sand Point.
“We are excited to share that Aleutian Airways has successfully completed FAA proving runs and is now approved to begin flying in Alaska,” the statement said. “Chartered service will begin immediately, and an announcement on scheduled service and routes will be released this fall.”
When fully approved, the airline would service Unalaska and other Alaska communities with Saab 2000 planes, the same kind of aircraft involved in a fatal crash in Unalaska in 2019.
Aleutian Airways delayed its original 2021 launch, saying it was studying safety recommendations after that fatal crash, but says they have now successfully completed all FAA requirements to safely begin operations.
