Flight crews for both passenger airlines and cargo flights arriving in Anchorage daily are supposed to self-isolate when they’re not working, but aren’t subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine ordered by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
The airline said the massive reduction in flights is due to a “historic and unprecedented” collapse in air travel caused by the coronavirus.
The airline has had to “drastically” cut costs and reduce its flight schedule by 30%, a spokeswoman said.
State officials believe they have contacted everyone who might have interacted with him.
The suspension covers new bookings as of Thursday, extending through March 12 for travel through June 1.
It was pilot Tony Matthews’ fourth nontraining flight with the company, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The pilot reported that as he took off, the plane climbed briefly, “followed by a sinking sensation,” an NTSB report says.
The National Transportation Safety Board called for the formation of a group to better review, rank and integrate Alaska’s unique aviation needs into the federal safety enhancement process.
The victims ranged in age from 18 to 66 years old.
New service could boost traffic to the Lower 48 this summer.
Local search and rescue personnel and officials from several agencies made recovery trips over two days to the scene of the crash that killed a pilot and four passengers.
Cargo crews flying into Anchorage from China are being screened for the new coronavirus.
Frigid wind chills had hindered attempts to reach the wreckage.
An emergency signal was picked up at around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the Alaska State Troopers.
The wreckage of the Yute Commuter Service Piper PA-32, which was headed to Kipnuk from Bethel, was found Thursday afternoon 12 miles southwest of Tuntutuliak.
Seven passengers and a pilot were aboard the Cessna 208 that went off the runway Tuesday.
Anchorage’s international airport currently has no passenger flights arriving from China, but it’s a different story for cargo flights.
The plane landed safely and was taken out of service for inspection, a spokesman for Alaska Airlines said.
Flight 159 made the landing at 3:46 p.m. with 189 passengers and crew on board, according to Fairbanks International Airport.
LifeMed CEO Russ Edwards said it was unclear what caused the crash after the turboprop had been in the air only “a matter of moments.”
