Ravn Alaska Ceases Operations, Parent Company Files for Bankruptcy
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – After nearly eight decades connecting remote communities across Alaska, Ravn Alaska has ceased all flight operations and its parent company, Float Alaska, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2026. The airline, a vital link for many rural Alaskans, quietly ended service on August 5, 2025, with its final flight from Valdez to Anchorage.
The shutdown leaves approximately 270 employees without jobs and raises concerns about access to essential services in areas heavily reliant on Ravn’s network. While the company expressed gratitude for the years of service provided to Alaskan communities, the abrupt termination of services left airports and communities with little notice.
Ravn Alaska’s struggles were evident in the months leading up to its collapse. In February 2024, the airline laid off over a third of its workforce – around 130 employees – citing challenges including inflation, labor shortages, and increased competition. CEO Rob McKinny acknowledged at the time that despite adjustments to schedules and pricing, the airline was failing to achieve profitability.
Further signaling financial strain, Ravn informed the U.S. Department of Transportation in December 2024 of its intention to discontinue unsubsidized flights between Anchorage and St. Mary’s, as well as Unalakleet, effective April 29, 2025. The airline attributed this decision to escalating operational costs, stating it was “economically untenable” to continue service at levels aligned with Department of Transportation standards.
Float Alaska’s bankruptcy filing lists assets between $1 million and $10 million, and liabilities ranging from $10 million to $50 million. Ravn Alaska was subsequently folded into New Pacific Airlines.
The loss of Ravn Alaska underscores the fragility of air service in Alaska, where many communities are accessible only by plane. The airline’s history dates back to June 20, 1948, and for decades it served as a crucial transportation provider for residents, businesses, and emergency services in the state’s vast and often isolated regions.