Aleutian Airways Takes Delivery of First ATR 42-600 as Alaska EAS Flying Nears
Aleutian Airways has taken delivery of its first ATR 42-600, positioning the carrier to begin new federally supported flying to remote Alaska communities as early as this month.
The turboprop — registered N406SV — arrived at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) on January 4, 2026, after being transferred from Florida-based Silver Airways, which shut down in mid-2025 and liquidated its assets. The aircraft is leased from Azorra and will be used to build Aleutian’s scheduled network in Alaska.
The delivery comes just ahead of the airline’s upcoming Essential Air Service (EAS) commitments, where Aleutian (operated under Sterling Airways d/b/a Aleutian Airways) has been selected to provide subsidized links from St. Mary’s (KSM), St. Paul Island (SNP), and Unalakleet (UNK) to Anchorage.
EAS flying drives the near-term network
Under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s selections, the four-year EAS contract terms run:
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St. Mary’s (KSM) and St. Paul Island (SNP): January 5, 2026 through December 31, 2029
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Unalakleet (UNK): November 28, 2025 through December 31, 2029
Service levels vary by community and season, but the structure is designed around reliable Anchorage connectivity — often the most practical gateway for onward travel, medical access, and freight flows.
Why the ATR 42-600 matters
The ATR 42-600 is a modern, high-wing turboprop well suited to shorter regional sectors and winter operations, offering a balance of operating economics and performance for smaller markets. For Aleutian’s Alaska mission, the aircraft also fits the scale of EAS flying, where demand is often steady but limited, and schedule reliability is a core requirement.
Aleutian’s EAS plans also include use of the Saab 2000, a higher-speed turboprop that can better match some stage lengths while still serving airports that may not support larger jets economically.
Bigger picture: a branded return to scheduled service
Aleutian’s aircraft move is also part of a broader restructuring that has seen the Aleutian Airways brand positioned for scheduled service growth in Alaska, following regulatory developments tied to the wind-down of Silver Airways and the redeployment of turboprop assets to higher-need markets.
Bottom Line
Aleutian Airways’ first ATR 42-600 arrival at ANC is a tangible step toward launching and stabilizing new Alaska flying, anchored by EAS-supported routes to KSM, SNP, and UNK. The choice of turboprop capacity — including the ATR 42-600 and Saab 2000 — reflects a network built around right-sized lift, winter resilience, and dependable access to Anchorage.
