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Weekly UpdatesACE, formerly ACE Air Cargo, has expanded its services to include passenger charters, bringing a viable option to the business community, rural Alaskans and others around the state.
Recently, ACE added Beechcraft 1900C airplanes to its fleet, allowing the company to transport passengers, cargo or a combination of the two. The aircraft has a removable bulk head that makes it possible for ACE to tailor service to companies needing to ship their employees, equipment and supplies to remote locations simultaneously, according to ACE President Mike Bergt. "We can adapt to whatever condition is at hand. We can fly 19 passengers," he says. "But if a company has 10 employees and groceries, we can accommodate that as well."
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ACE has four Beech 1900Cs in its fleet. Currently, one of them is configured to carry passengers; the other three are dedicated to transporting cargo only. Having the capability to carry both passengers and cargo concurrently gives ACE a niche in the Alaska marketplace. "I'm not aware of any other company that has the Beech 1900C with the removable bulkhead," Bergt says.
The decision by ACE to expand into the passenger charter business was prompted by consumer demand and a growing need for such services, explains Bergt. The company had received repeated requests from its freight customers to provide passenger charter service. In addition, increased scrutiny at airports and other industry conditions presented ACE with a unique opportunity to better serve business customers.
"I think that ever since 9/11, there has been a trend toward companies looking to charter their employees to whatever destination they need to go to," Bergt says. "They're finding that it's much better for them to charter aircraft; they can get their employees and gear to their destination with a lot less hassle."
A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE
Passenger charters are a practical alternative for Alaska companies, particularly those in the fishing, construction, oil and mining business, says Maria Tibbetts, ACE's manager of cargo sales. Tibbetts--who oversees marketing, customer service and charters, among other things--says chartering a flight is a viable option to owning a corporate jet because it allows companies to avoid the costs of ownership, such as pilots' salaries, insurance and fuel.
Chartering flights can be quite cost-effective for businesses, Tibbetts says. For example, chartering an ACE flight from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor--a common destination for many fishing companies and workers--costs about $9,000. Although this may sound expensive, the cost is comparable to flying five people and 3,500 pounds of luggage and gear on the same route commercially, she says.
On-demand air charter services also save companies' and their employees' valuable time, Tibbetts says. "If you consider what employee time is worth and then think about the hours they would spend on a commercial flight dealing with airport waits, connections and other logistics; or their time going to separate cargo centers for shipping, then chartering a plane can absolutely be justified," Tibbetts says. In addition, Bergt adds, chartering a plane is a simpler and more convenient option. ACE can have the plane ready almost immediately after a client calls. Customers avoid the long waits that are typical at commercial airports, and they can have their workers and gear arrive at the same time.
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ACE can provide a seamless operation mainly because it's able to fly passengers directly out of its facility--located at 5901 Lockheed Ave. off North Air Park at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport--instead of an airport terminal. ACE customers have access to free parking and door-to-door services. Bergt explains: "With ACE you can just show up at the building, and it's kind of a one-stop way of traveling.... It's direct service to the destination. It's a lot more painful for somebody to go commercially when they want to go out to a place in rural Alaska."
Marlea Hiles agrees. As human resource manager for Seattle-based Ocean Peace Inc., Hiles feels that on-demand air charter services are a great business tool for today's companies. She said: "I believe this to be a great advantage to all fishing companies. The prices are comparable, but the accessibility and convenience is priceless. With commercial airlines we have to fly under their constraints, but with the option of a charter flight, we can set our own schedules. This is a service that is long overdue and most welcomed."
BUILT FOR FLEXIBILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY
The Beech 1900C, with its configurable bulkhead, is built for flexibility and functionality. And it's ideally suited for carrying passengers and cargo almost anywhere in Alaska, according to Bergt. In fact, the aircraft can land on dirt, grass and gravel runways--as long as there's at least 3,000 feet available. For the sake of comparison, the north-south runway of the Ted Stevens Airport in Anchorage is more than 10,000 feet long. "We can go into most runways in Alaska," Bergt says. "We can even land on the beaches around King Salmon--if the conditions are right."
In terms of specifications, the Beech 1900C has Pratt and Whitney PT6A-65B engines. It has a cruise speed of 268 knots with a certified ceiling of 25,000 feet and a range of 1,555 miles. The wingspan is 54.5 feet, the length is 57.9 feet, and the tail height is 14.9 feet. The cabin is 33.9 feet long, 54 inches wide and 57 inches tall. And the aircraft can accommodate virtually any freight that can fit through a 52-inch-square door.
The Beech 1900C was the ideal complement to ACE's existing fleet, Tibbetts says. Its ability to land on almost any runway and adapt to different cargo and passenger loads has helped place ACE in a unique class in Alaska. ACE, which has about 55 employees, is branding itself as the air charter service of choice for workers needing to reach their destination quickly or travel to remote parts of the state.
The new face of ACE is quite a departure from the business that began in 1988. At that time, the company--known as Alaska Central Express and then later ACE Air Cargo--mainly dealt with mail. Over the years, the focus turned to cargo and other companies were added to ACE's umbrella: ACE Logistics, the freight-forwarding division; ACE Air Services, its ground support operation in Dutch Harbor; ACE Air Charters, the passenger and cargo charter service division; and ACE Air Cargo, which provides scheduled cargo flights, as well as charters and unscheduled flag stops.
ACE offers air freight and small-package service, including scheduled flights to Southeast Alaska, Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. And now with its expansion into passenger charters, ACE can accommodate passengers from all around the state. "There's a lot of potential out there, and a lot of room for new business," Tibbetts says. "We're excited to have this new opportunity."
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Everts Air Adds Charter Passenger Service
Everts Air announced recently that it has added charter passenger service with the EMB-120 Brasilia aircraft to its operating certificate. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft is capable of operating on a gravel runway and is approved for service carrying up to 30 passengers. Everts Air has been operating the cargo version of the EMB-120 since 2004.
On the achievement, CEO Robert Everts stated, "This is an exciting time for our company. We've been operating the EMB-120 for three years now transporting cargo and U.S. Mail, and it has performed so well in the Alaska environment that utilizing the aircraft for its passenger capability seemed a logical step. The passenger version offers quick, comfortable and reliable travel with restroom facilities and a flight attendant to provide personal service to passengers."
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Everts Air will initially offer the new charter service to private individuals, corporations and athletic teams desiring travel throughout Alaska, to and from Seattle and other destinations.
Private charters have many advantages over scheduled commercial aviation, including efficiency, privacy and flexibility, explained Everts. "With a private charter, you have control over your travel environment. You can fly your group in privacy and comfort while avoiding the long lines and delays that come with public air travel. If you are a sports coach, you can be confident that your athletes will arrive rested, relaxed and on time. Plus, you'll have complete privacy to discuss game day strategies and tactics. The aircraft can depart on your schedule, with the flexibility to adjust times should your event extend late or end early."
To schedule your group of up to 30 people to travel in comfort and convenience at an affordable price, contact the Everts sales team at 450-2300.
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