August 7, 2012 

Mr. DennisJ. DeVany 

Chief, Essential Air Service Division 

Otftce of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey A venue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

City of Adak 

P.O. Box 2011 • Adak, Alaska 99546 

(907) 592-4500 • Fax: (907) 592-4262 

RE: Comments on Essential Air Service for Adak, Docket DOT-OST-2000-8556 

Dear Mr. DeVany: 

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The City of Adak, Alaska, by this letter and the attached Resolution 12-2013-009, strongly support the continuation of 

the Essential Air Service program and the proposal put forth by Alaska Airlines ("Alaska"), providing jet service to 

our community. 

We have reviewed all of the proposals and have come to the conclusion that a combination of proposals to provide 

service to Adak, using two different carriers, is not in the program's interest due to the high total cost. In comparison, 

it appears that for the first time, Alaska's proposal is the lowest cost proposal; something we feel is in US DOT's best 

interest to recognize and therefore accept. 

In the past we have described in intricate detail the reasons we prefer Alaska's service, which over the years have not 

changed in the viewpoint of the community. To this day the Boeing 737-400 combination passenger and cargo 

aircraft is un-paralleled in being able to provide service for the community. The ability to carry all the passenger and · 

freight traffic incoming and outgoing, while providing nonstop service provides efficiency that cannot be matched by 

any other air carrier at present. Alaska has been a good corporate citizen to Adak and their presence provides much 

needed stable employment to the community, including our new TSA agent as well as a future additional TSA agent. 

Alaska's continued presence will enable the city and the businesses that are based here an opportunity to continue to 

aggressively market the strategic advantages of the island. We feel that the setbacks experienced by the community 

over the past several years are well behind us and we look forward to continued growth in the cargo and passenger 

utilization as Icicle Seafoods grows and our efforts to attract other industry come to fruition. 

I personally feel that the other air carriers that put forth proposals, Tatonduk Outfitters (DBA Everts Air Cargo), 

Northern Air Cargo and Era Aviation should be recognized for their efforts to provide service in the event Alaska not 

put forth a proposal. It should be noted that we worked with each interested carrier, including carriers that did not 

submit a proposal, to share as much pertinent information as possible in order to develop proposals that would be able 

to meet the needs of the community while at a rate that allows the Essential Air Service program to be sustainable. 

Sincerely, 

·-· 

d~~ Layton J. Lockett 

City Manager ·· · 
City of Adak 

P:O. Box 2011 • Adak, Alaska 99546 

{907) 592-4500 • Fax: {907) 592-4262 

RESOLUTION N0.12-2013.{)09 

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE PROPOSAL TO ADAK, ALASKA 

BY ALASKA AIRLINES. 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation ("USDOT') in February 2012 requested proposals 

from air carriers for providing Essential Air Service ("EAS") to Adak; and 

WHEREAS, on March 30, 2012, Peninsula Airways was the only carrier to submit an EAS proposal; 

and 

WHEREAS, on April11, 2012 the City Council convened a public hearing to solicit public input 

regarding the Peninsula Airways EAS proposal and heard overwhelming testimony opposing significant 

portions of the proposal; and 

WHEREAS, the USDOT rejected the Peninsula Airways proposal citing high cost and lack of 

community support, thereby reopening the bid proces$ soliciting proposals from air carriers; and 

WHEREAS, the City Administration has been in contact with carriers in order to solicit interest and 

proposals of various composition in order to determine whether cost and operational efficiencies could 

be realized to preserve the EAS program; and 

WHEREAS, the USDOT received a total of four proposals from the following carriers: Tatonduk 

Outfitters Limited (Everts Air Cargo), Northern Air Cargo, Era Aviation and Alaska Airlines; and 

WHEREAS, the City Administration has reviewed each proposal using all alternative combinations; and 

WHEREAS, the City, over the past decade, has always supported Alaska Airlines' EAS proposal, even 

when the cost was more than the alternative proposal(s); and 

WHEREAS, the EAS proposal submitted by Alaska Airlines, at $1.675 million, is the lowest cost 

combination passenger/freight proposal. · 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the City Council respectfully requests the U.S. 

Department of Transportation select the Essential Air.Service proposal submitted by Alaska Airlines, 

though proposed for one year, at the subsidy amount requested. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City Council values the hard work and dedication put forth by 

Tatonduk Outfitters Limited, Northern Air Cargo and Era Aviation, using their respective operational 

strengths, and thanks each carrier for responding to the request for proposals by the U.S. Department 

of Transportation with the goal of providing alternative proposals for providing essential air service to 

Adak. · 

Passed and adopted by a duly constituted quorum of the Adak City Council this 1st day of 

August 2012. 
.. ' 

R~so/ution 12-2013-009, Page 2 

ATTEST: 

Debra Sharrah, City Clerk