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The original investors included Bob Jacobsen, sisters
Karen Hansen-Jacobsen and Kathy Elmore, brothers Jim and John Jacobsen,
Jacobson’s mother, and the company’s finance officer,
John Lucas, Drew Haag and Juneau’s Fire Chief,
Michael Fenster.
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Wings of Alaska has operated
a fleet of aircraft that have included the Cessna Grand
Caravans, 206 and 207’s as well as the classic deHavilland
Beavers and Otters. The communities served over the years
have been Skagway, Haines, Tenakee Springs, Hoonah, Angoon,
Kake, Pelican, Cube Cove, Elfin Cove, Sitka, and Gustavus,
as well as charter service throughout Southeast. Pilots
routinely carry pizzas, medicines, gifts, cats, dogs, flowers,
Christmas trees, birthday cakes and precious family members
to communities that have no road access in and out. For
many of these residents air travel is the primary form of
transportation, an essential lifeline. Though no babies
have been born enroute, several pilots have stories about
bringing pregnant women to Juneau, with hopes of making
it from the tarmac to the hospital in time. |
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In 1993 an addition was made to the glacier
flightseeing portion of the business with the partnership
in a tour to the historic Taku Glacier Lodge (see Taku Lodge
History).
In 2001 Wings acquired Haines Airways, operating
under the certificate of Alaska Coastal Airlines (see Waterfront
History). In 2002 an exciting opportunity was proposed to
Wings of Alaska employees, the ability to purchase the flightseeing
floatplane portion of the business. That same year 15 employees
gathered their finances and expertise and formed Wings Airways.
Owners include Carl Ramseth, President, John Lucas, Rusty
Shaub, Mike Stedman, Don Bach, Holly Bierkortte, Jeffra
& Al Clough, Sam Wright, Erica Sjoroos, Bruce Tice,
, Mike Thomas, Karen Hansen, Nick Yurko, Wayne
Love and Robert Jacobsen.
 The employee owners of Wings Airways have
shown strong resolve to not only continue the unique and
successful business, but to invest in the future of the
operation as well. These committed owners have modernized
the fleet by converting four DeHavilland Otter aircraft
from piston engines to modern, quiet, reliable turbine powerplants.
These conversions added flexibility and a very high degree
of safety to the overall operation. They also provided the
community of Juneau with a decrease in floatplane noise.
Wings Airways has modified its Beaver floatplanes to make
them better suited for flightseeing as well as added a brand
new dock to the downtown Juneau seadrome. This level of
investment shows a strong commitment to continuing the tradition
of comfortable, safe, and reliable services to our guests.
With the combination of such passion and
love for what they do this team will continue to provide
travelers from around the world the opportunity to board
the classic DeHavilland floatplanes and discover firsthand
the magnificence of Alaska’s vast wilderness and breathtaking
glaciers.
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