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Airport manager reports Alaska Airlines diversion to Kenai, discusses C-17 'lights out' ops and budget timeline
Summary
Kenai's airport manager told the commission Jan. 8 that an Alaska Airlines jet carrying 76 passengers diverted to Kenai on Dec. 8 because of wind shear in Anchorage; passengers were deplaned and kept separated, Alaska provided $1,000 worth of pizza, and nine passengers did not reboard. The manager also reported lease lot inspections, TSA credential updates, C-17 light-out operation requests and upcoming budget and consultant briefings.
Mary, the airport manager, reported to the commission on operations and recent incidents at Kenai during the Jan. 8 meeting.
Mary said that on Dec. 8 an Alaska Airlines jet with 76 passengers diverted to Kenai after experiencing significant wind shear in Anchorage. The airline brought a maintenance crew and a replacement flight crew; passengers were deplaned and allowed into a restricted area of the terminal with Kenai Police Department assistance. "Alaska Airlines bought $1,000 worth of pizza for the passengers," Mary said. She added that nine passengers did not get back on the plane; some left by car or had other travel plans.
Mary also said staff have been conducting lease lot inspections with the airport's administrative assistant, the fire marshal and city planners, and that TSA credentialing and the airport certification manual are being updated. She reported a call from the tower about C-17s wanting to do "light out ops" at Kenai and said the C-17s have arrangements with the tower to conduct those operations—staff suggested it would be preferable if such operations occurred while the tower was open. Mary said Volare Air Consulting's Jack Penning, who prepared an airport study, will present to the council on Jan. 21 on small-air-service development and that budget documents for FY27 are expected to be due to finance around Feb. 13.
No further operational actions were taken at the Jan. 8 meeting; the manager's report was informational and commissioners asked no follow-up questions requiring a formal vote in the transcript.
