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| Founded | 1956; 70 years ago (1956) | ||||||
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| Ceased operations | 2017; 9 years ago (2017) (assets assumed byRavn Alaska)[1] | ||||||
| Hubs | Bethel,Alaska | ||||||
| Fleet size | 14 | ||||||
| Destinations | 22 | ||||||
| Parent company | Flight Alaska Inc. | ||||||
| Headquarters | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | ||||||
| Key people | Tim Votis | ||||||
| Website | http://www.yuteair.net/ | ||||||
Flight Alaska (d/b/a Yute Air) was an Americanairline based inBethel, Alaska, United States. It operated scheduled services to over 22 villages in Alaska and also provided charter services throughout Alaska. Its main base wasBethel Airport. The air carrier announced abruptly that it was ceasing operations on March 5, 2017, effective immediately, withRavn Alaska purchasing the tangible owned assets ofYute Air and replacing Yute Air on its former routes.[1][2] The company slogan wasWings of the People.
The airline, established by Phillip and Demptha Bingman, began flying fromDillingham, Alaska in 1956 asBob Harris Flying Services. It was renamed in 1974[3] asYute Air Alaska, translating to "the people" in Yupik. Yute Air was sold to William Johnson in 1988. After 11 years, in 1999 he filed forbankruptcy. The company andoperating certificate were then acquired by the Flight International Group in April 2000 and shortly thereafter renamed "Flight Alaska". Under the Flight Alaska name, it operated with a multitude of aircraft in addition to the originalCessna 207 aircraft, including aLear 35,King Air 200, and fourCASA 212-200's. Operations included bypass mail, scheduled passenger and freight service, lodge and private charters, and government smokejumping contracts. Yute Air was then acquired by Tim Vottis, in 2004. The airline was downsized to only hub out ofBethel Airport, AK and only serve the surrounding area. The name reverted toYute Air, which it used until going out of business in 2017.
Yute Air operated services to the following domestic scheduled destinations (at June 2012):Bethel,Chefornak,Eek,Goodnews Bay,Kipnuk,Kongiganak,Kwigillingok,Newtok,Nightmute,Platinum,Quinhagak,Toksook Bay,Tuntutuliak andTununak,Atmautluak,Nunapitchuk,Kasigluk,Kwethluk,Akiachak,Akiak,Tuluksak,Kalskag and others.
At the time of closure, Yute Air's fleet consisted of twoCessna 172 and twelveCessna 207 aircraft, all sold toRavn Alaska upon closure.[1][4]
