SERVING THE 

VILLAGES OF: 

BREVIG MISSION 

COUNCIL 

DIOMEDE 

ELIM 

GAMBELL 

GOLOVIN 

KING ISLAND 

KOYUK 

MARY'S IGLOO 

NOME 

SAVOONGA 

SHAKTOOLIK 

SHISHMAREF 

SOLOMON 

STEBBINS 

ST. MICHAEL 

TELLER 

UNALAKLEET 

WALES 

WHITE MOUNTAIN 

~ cS?"' .!:!>.. .E:l- e:.. J!!>. /!!::> !!!:> TEL: (907) 443-5231 ·FAX: (907) 443-4452 ~ 

June 25, 2014 

Mr. Kevin Schlemmer 

Chief, EAS and Domestic Analysis Division 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Air Transportation to non-Eligible Places, Diomede, Alaska (DM2) 

Docket DOT-OST-2009-0260 

Dear Mr. Schlemmer, 

This letter is to express our support of the continuation of the Essential Air Service (EAS) 

and Air Transportation to Non-Eligible Places (A TNEP) programs in rural Alaska and the 

crucial connection they bring to Diomede, Alaska. EAS funding is provided to Kawerak 

through the State of Alaska as a 50% match to federal funds provided to the Department of 

Transportation for this service. This is the third year of a three year commitment by the 

State of Alaska. The new funding year begins July l, 2014 and ends June 30, 2015. 

Kawerak is in the process of receiving and signing the grant agreement for this third funding 

cycle that starts July 1, 2014. The State of Alaska may continue supporting the service but 

has yet to approve the budget beyond July 1, 2015. 

We are deeply thankful for the past two years of service with Evergreen Helicopters (now 

Erickson) with passenger fares which were affordable for Diomede residents to be able to 

take trips out for various needs. The positive feedback from travelers was overwhelming. 

Diomede residents were able to go to more medical appointments, attend trainings, 

participate in meetings, do shopping, and even go on vacations. Fewer residents were 

stranded in Nome or Wales for extended periods of time, and it had a huge positive impact 

on the small community of Wales. More service providers and visitors were able to go to 

Diomede. Passengers were glad that they were able to fly in on the EAS run on Monday and 

sometime return on the mail run on Wed. if there was space avai !able. Kawerak appreciates 

the safety precautions and communications from Erickson's staff when there are weather or 

mechanical issues. 

Kawerak understands that neither the EAS nor the A TNEP program have conditions that 

specifies the ticket prices that Erickson's may charge. We also understand the rising costs 

of fuel and the expenses of operating a helicopter service. However, Kawerak is concerned 

that fewer residents will be able to afford the increased rates which begin July 1, and believe 

that there will be a reduced number of passengers using the service this year. 
Many of the residents of Diomede are impoverished and the $800 round trip airfare is 

beyond their means. Service providers will schedule fewe r visits to Diomede due to the 

higher cost and budget constraints. 

Continued passenger service is critical to the community of Diomede, and Kawerak 

respectfully urges the U.S. DOT to continue A TNEP service at Diomede for the new 

funding cycle which begins July I, 20 14 and ends June 30, 20 15. 

Sincerely, 

KA WERAK, INC. 

Melanie Bahnk.e 

President