Alaska Island Airways
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Predecessor | Alaska Air Transport, Marine Airways |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Defunct | April 1968 |
| Fate | Purchased by Alaska Airlines |
| Headquarters | Alaska , United States |
Area served | Alaska, British Columbia |
Key people | Sheldon Bruce "Shell" Simmons (founder of predecessor Alaska Air Transport), Robert Edmund "Bob" Ellis (founder of Ellis Air Lines) |
| Products | Passenger and cargo air transport services |
Alaska Coastal Airlines originated in 1939 through the consolidation of Alaska Air Transport and Marine Airways in the United States. On April 1, 1962, it combined with Ellis Air Lines, briefly operating under the name Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines. The company was ultimately purchased by Alaska Airlines in April 1968.
History
The inception of Alaska Air Transport traces back to Juneau in 1935 when Sheldon Bruce "Shell" Simmons (1908–1994) established the airline, initially utilizing a single Stinson SM-2AC aircraft dubbed Patco. Growth followed with the acquisition of Irving Airways in 1936, a carrier founded earlier that year by Wilbur Irving.
Founded in 1936 at Juneau by Alex Holden, Jim Davis, and M E Monagle, Marine Airways began operations after Holden acquired a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker that same year. In 1938, Simmons employed a Bellanca aircraft during a significant rescue mission for survivors of the freighter Patterson, which had run aground near Cape Fairweather. This collaboration led to the merger of Simmons’ and Holden’s enterprises into Alaska Coastal Airways in 1939.
Established in 1936 at Ketchikan by Robert Edmund "Bob" Ellis (1903–1994), Ellis Air Lines operated a fleet comprising ten Grumman G-21 Goose amphibious planes at the point of its merger with Alaska Coastal Airlines.
In 1945, Simmons expanded his fleet by acquiring a Grumman G-21 Goose formerly operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Additionally, Alaska Coastal Airlines absorbed Alaska Island Airways in 1954.
The airline was recognized for servicing routes throughout Alaska and British Columbia and was notable for unique occurrences such as an inflight birth between Gustavus and Juneau during the late 1960s.
Alaska
Angoon, Annette, Baranof, Cape Pole, Chatham, Craig, Duncan Canal, Edna Bay, Elfin Cove, Excursion Inlet, Funter, Gustavus, Haines, Hawk Inlet, Hollis, Hoonah, Hydaburg, Juneau, Kake, Kasaan, Ketchikan, Klawock, Pelican, Petersburg, Port Alexander, Port Armstrong, Point Baker, Port Walter, Rogers Point, Saginaw Bay, Sitka, Skagway, Steamboat Bay, Taku Lodge, Tenakee, Thorne Bay, Todd, Tokeen. Washington Bay, Wrangell.
British Columbia
Accidents
- 1948 - Kingbird NC622V damaged beyond repair at Tulsequah, BC.
- November 14, 1952 - Vega NC49M lost to fire at Sitka.
- January 5, 1958 - Vega NC47M written off near Tanakee; pilot deceased and two passengers wounded.
- January 20, 1964 - Goose N79914 involved in accident at Petersburg.
- October 2, 1964 - Catalina N4936V destroyed at Otter Lake; flight attendant fatality.
- August 21, 1966 - Goose N88820 written off close to Juneau with nine casualties.
- August 30, 1967 - Goose N74588 accident occurred at Prince Rupert, Canada.
Fleet
- Aeronca PC-3 NC16250, acquired new in 1936 and sold in 1939 following accident repairs.
- Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker – one example is conserved at the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa, Canada.
- Cessna 180
- Cessna 185D – operated one aircraft of this model.
- Convair 240-5 – operated a single unit.
- Consolidated PBY Catalina – operated a fleet of five aircraft.
- Curtiss Kingbird D-3 – one plane was in service.
- Fairchild 24 – operated one aircraft.
- Howard DGA
- Grumman G-21 Goose – operated 24 aircraft, including versions converted to turboprop engines known as "Turbo-Goose."
- Lockheed Vega – two aircraft were operated.
- Piper J-3C-65 Cub – operated one unit in 1948.
- Stinson SM2A – operated one aircraft.
- Waco