Ascent Global Logistics (“Ascent”) announced the acquisition of Alaska-based Hageland Aviation Services, LLC and the launch of Rambler Air, LLC, a new air service provider focused on safe, reliable travel within Alaska. Rambler will serve commuter flights as well as passenger and cargo charters. Service is expected to launch in early 2021 with eight Piper Chieftain Navajos and two Beechcraft 1900Ds. Rambler Air will be headquartered in Anchorage at Lake Hood.
“Rambler Air will provide a much-needed service to Alaskan communities and businesses,” said Tom Stenglein, President and CEO of Ascent Global Logistics. “We enter Alaska with more than four decades of running USA Jet, a 121 and 135 certified airline, in the lower 48 states. We look forward to bringing our track record of safety, operational excellence and reliable service to Alaska.”
Rambler Air is an expansion of Ascent’s Arctic On-Demand service launched earlier this year. Arctic On-Demand is an Alaska-focused air charter brokerage for both cargo and passengers. Covering even the most remote Alaskan locations, Arctic On-Demand delivers pricing visibility across a network of asset-based air cargo and passenger carriers.
“Alaska’s economy relies on air services more than any state in the lower 48, making it perfect for Ascent’s proprietary air charter bid-board technology, which powers Arctic On-Demand,” said Chris Jamroz, Executive Chairman of Ascent. “Now supported by our launch of Rambler Air and our acquisition of Hageland Aviation, Ascent will have one of the most comprehensive and customer-focused air offerings in Alaska. This is the first acquisition for Ascent as a stand-alone company, and we hope to make many more like this.”
Service is expected to launch in early 2021, according to newly-appointed Director of Operations of Rambler Air, Luke Hickerson who spoke to KSRM, “We’re looking at the first quarter of 2021. There’s a lot of things to work through as we do this. Hageland Aviation which was being operated as RAVN Connect prior to the bankruptcy. We are resizing and rescoping the certificate as we speak. All of the manuals are written for a company with 50 aircraft. We are resizing and rescoping the certificate to meet what we’re doing and the aircraft that we’re operating because we’re not operating the same type of aircraft that was operated in the past. We are shooting for the first quarter of 2021. That would depend on the approval from the FAA or revalidation of the certificate by the FAA as well as COVID and this pandemic, I think will drive a lot as well.”
Hickerson says starting out, Rambler Air will stay close to their home in Anchorage, but the Kenai Peninsula is on his mind for potential future locations, “The peninsula is an absolute possibility. Right now there’s approximately 7,500 people that travel per month between Anchorage and Kenai. It’s obviously a very well traveled route. I have flown it many of times before. Right now we are taking a real hard look at service both to Kenai and Homer.”
“With the impact of COVID-19, potential capacity in Alaska air service is down 45 percent. Rambler Air will be a critical part of the solution in meeting future demand of the Alaskan market,” said Rebecca Clark, Managing Director for Arctic On-Demand.
“We are planning on creating up to 45 professional aviation jobs in Alaska,” said Hickerson. “We have assembled a team of Alaska’s best in aviation with a passion for serving the unique transportation needs of our state. This is a market we are investing in for the long haul.”
To inquire about career opportunities at Rambler Air, experienced aviation professionals can visit www.ramblerair.com or reach out to [email protected].
