Bering Air
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | September 1979 |
| Founder | Jim Rowe and three university friends |
| Headquarters | Nome, Alaska , United States |
Area served | Western Alaska, United States, Russia (inactive) |
Key people | Jim Rowe (President), Christine Rowe (Owner) |
| Products | Scheduled passenger flights, charter services, air ambulance, helicopter operations |
| Website | www |
Bering Air is a U.S.-based airline with its headquarters located in Nome, Alaska, United States. The company provides domestic scheduled passenger flights and charter services, as well as air ambulance and helicopter operations. Its primary hub is situated at Nome Airport, with additional operational centers at Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in Kotzebue and Unalakleet Airport.
History
In early 1975, Jim Rowe and three university friends embarked on a cross-country journey across the United States in a Cessna 195, ultimately deciding to establish themselves in Nome, Alaska. Bering Air was officially created in September 1979 and commenced flight operations on October 3 using a single De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter. By 1983, expanding demand from the bypass mail system led to the addition of smaller aircraft to the fleet, including the Piper Navajo, Beech 18, and Piper Seneca. Emphasizing a transition to contemporary turbine-powered airplanes, Bering Air gradually retired its radial-engine planes and introduced newer models such as the Beechcraft King Air 200, Beechcraft 1900D, Cessna Caravan, and CASA C-212. Helicopters replaced older piston-driven aircraft for operations beyond conventional airports. In 2015, the airline modernized its fleet by incorporating eight Cessna 208EX Grand Caravans to replace older Cessna 208B variants. Ownership remains entirely with Jim Rowe (President) and Christine Rowe.
In July 2020, following Ravn Alaska's bankruptcy auction, Bering Air expanded its facilities by acquiring locations in Aniak, Kotzebue, Nome, and Unalakleet.
Fleet
As of February 2025, Bering Air's fleet consists of the following aircraft:
| Aircraft | Quantity | Passenger Capacity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-31 Navajo | 4 | 9 | |
| Cessna Caravan EX | 17 | 9 | |
| Cessna 408 SkyCourier | 4 (as of August 2025) | 0 | Dedicated cargo aircraft |
| Beechcraft 1900D | 4 (as of August 2025) | 19 | "Combi" layout for scheduled services |
| Beechcraft King Air 200 | 4 | 9 | Configured for air ambulance missions |
| CASA 212-200 | 2 | 0 | Used for cargo transport |
| MD Helicopter MD 500E | 3 | 3
AS 350B3: 2; UH-1H Huey: 2 (equipped for Long Line operations) | |
| Robinson R44 Raven II | 3 | 3
Also operates two additional R44s for Twin Peak Adventures. | |
| Bell UH-1H Iroquois | 2 | 15 | |
| Airbus Helicopters H125 | 2 | 5 |
Retired fleet
The following aircraft were once part of Bering Air's operational fleet:
| Aircraft type | Successor model |
|---|---|
| De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter | Cessna Caravan EX |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver | |
| Cessna 206/207 | |
| Cessna Caravan (older models) |
Community services
Bering Air collaborates with regional airlines such as Grant Aviation and Frontier Flying Service through the Flying Can initiative, which promotes recycling of aluminum cans and PET bottles in remote Alaskan villages, working alongside Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling.
Additionally, the airline supports local enterprises by offering complimentary delivery on scheduled flights for Airport Pizza located at Nome Airport, thereby extending its reach to customers in isolated areas.
Destinations
Bering Air provides passenger and cargo charter flights originating from Kotzebue and Nome, serving locations throughout the United States and Russia.
Domestic
The carrier operates scheduled passenger routes to 29 communities across Western Alaska, with primary hubs situated in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet.
- Ambler (ABL) – Ambler Airport
- Brevig Mission (KTS) – Brevig Mission Airport
- Buckland (BKC) – Buckland Airport
- Cape Lisburne (LUR) – Cape Lisburne LRRS Airport
- Deering (DRG) – Deering Airport
- Elim (ELI) – Elim Airport
- Gambell (GAM) – Gambell Airport
- Golovin (GLV) – Golovin Airport
- Kiana (IAN) – Bob Baker Memorial Airport
- Kivalina (KVL) – Kivalina Airport
- Kobuk (OBU) – Kobuk Airport
- Kotzebue (OTZ) – Ralph Wien Memorial Airport
- Koyuk (KKA) – Koyuk Alfred Adams Airport
- Noatak (WTK) – Noatak Airport
- Nome (OME) – Nome Airport
- Noorvik (ORV) – Robert (Bob) Curtis Memorial Airport
- Point Hope (PHO) – Point Hope Airport
- St. Michael (SMK) – St. Michael Airport
- Savoonga (SVA) – Savoonga Airport
- Selawik (WLK) – Selawik Airport
- Shaktoolik (SKK) – Shaktoolik Airport
- Shishmaref (SHH) – Shishmaref Airport
- Shungnak (SHG) – Shungnak Airport
- Stebbins (WBB) – Stebbins Airport
- Teller (TLA) – Teller Airport
- Tin City (TNC) – Tin City LRRS Airport
- Unalakleet (UNK) – Unalakleet Airport
- Wales (WAA) – Wales Airport
- White Mountain (WMO) – White Mountain Airport
Previous Destinations
- Council (CIL) – Council Airport
- Diomede (DIO) – Diomede Island Airport (ice runway operational only during winter)
- Port Clarence (KPC) – Port Clarence Coast Guard Station
International Service
Bering Air previously operated charter flights connecting Nome and Anchorage with Anadyr and Provideniya located in the Russian Far East. This international route is currently inactive.
Accidents and Incidents
- December 10, 1987 – A Cessna 207 Skywagon cargo aircraft (N9979M) crashed into mountainous terrain amid adverse weather conditions, resulting in the pilot's death.
- January 5, 1993 – The Mitsubishi MU-2 registered N900YH went down into the Bering Sea due to fuel exhaustion; the pilot sustained injuries.
- December 18, 1995 – Following an in-flight fire shortly after departing from Nome Airport, a Beechcraft G18S (N340K) crashed; the pilot was injured.
- September 8, 1997 – At Buckland Airport, a Cessna 208 Caravan (N1123R) collided with a Cessna 402; all seventeen individuals onboard escaped without injury.
- March 2, 2003 – A Cessna 208 Caravan (N205BA) encountered a crash on snow-covered sea ice during whiteout conditions; the pilot was hurt but the aircraft was subsequently repaired.
- October 24, 2005 – Due to pilot error, a Cessna 208 Caravan (N1263Y) crashed; both pilots were injured and the aircraft underwent repairs.
- September 18, 2009 – A CASA C-212 Aviocar (N349TA) overran the runway at Savoonga Airport; pilots were unharmed and the aircraft was restored.
- October 21, 2017 – An air ambulance Beechcraft B200 (N363JH) executed a belly landing at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport; all four occupants evacuated safely and the plane was repaired.
- February 6, 2025 – Bering Air Flight 445, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, crashed on ice near Norton Sound with ten people aboard; there were no survivors.
References