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Draft:Rob McKinney

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Rob Lee McKinney (born June 23, 1969) is an American veteran regional airline executive[1] Experience in the aviation industry working at Pacific Wings, Mokulele Airlines, SeaPort Airlines, and FLOAT (Fly Over All Traffic) Shuttle.[2] McKinney is the CEO of New Pacific Airlines, formerly Northern Pacific Airways,[3] and Ravn Alaska, a regional air carrier operating at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Career

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In 1999, McKinney started a charter operation from scratch for Crystal Jet, an FBO in Texas. In 2018, McKinney co-founded with Tom Hsieh, FLOAT (Fly Over All Traffic) Shuttle Inc., a commuter and corporate transport service in southern California. The FLOAT team, under McKinney's leadership, acquired Ravn Alaska.[4] McKinney was the chief operating officer of FLOAT.[5]

In 2020, Ravn Alaska, an Alaskan airline specializing in serving small communities, filed for bankruptcy.[6] The owners shut down operations on April 5 after a 90% drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its part 121 airlines, Ravn Alaska and PenAir, were sold to FLOAT.[7] McKinney and his business partner raised investors and successfully bought Ravn Alaska out of bankruptcy.[8]

In 2021, McKinney founded Northern Pacific, now known as New Pacific,[9] as the next evolution of the Ravn brand. In September 2021, New Pacific secured its first four Boeing 757s ahead of a planned launch of operations.[10] In June 2023, it unveiled its first-class lounge in the North Terminal of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. According to McKinney, the new airline will employ 250 additional people locally, bring millions in tax revenue to Alaska, and, eventually, even billions to the economy by extending the tourism season.

In 2002, as VP and director of operations at Pacific Wings, a Hawaiian-based commuter airline, McKinney oversaw customer growth, which tripled passenger traffic during his three-year tenure. He developed the first ever post 9/11 airline security program, including a full AOSSP, approved ISC training, and approved GSC training. He also established a computerized maintenance department for tracking and inventory control. McKinney thereafter joined Mokulele Airlines in Hawaii as CEO, successfully converting the company from a small air-touring service into a fully scheduled commuter airline.[11] He designed the first TSA-compliant airline security program, including approval of the airline's AOSSP, ISC training program, and GSC training program. In 2007, Rob returned stateside to join SeaPort Airlines, a small start-up based in Portland, Oregon, as chief operations officer and later chief executive officer. He established a commuter shuttle service between Portland and Seattle. In 2018, Rob co-founded FLOAT (Fly Over All Traffic) Shuttle, a commuter and corporate transportation service in Southern California. In April 2020, Rob and the FLOAT Shuttle Inc. team orchestrated the acquisition of Ravn Air Group.[12]

McKinney is the President of StarCheck West Limited and a board member of JetPerfect Foundation and the Alaska Chamber of Commerce.

McKinney remains an active pilot with over 7500 hours of flight time. McKinney holds an airline transport pilot certificate with Learjet 60 and Boeing 757-type ratings.

Recognition

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•    Youngest Director of Aviation of Culver Educational Foundation (22)

•    Achieved FAA approval as a check airman at 23

•    Achieved CEO of Crystal Jet (Tyler, TX) at 29

•    2016 Purdue Polytechnic Alum of the Year

References

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  1. ^ Curran, Andrew (2021-08-09). "Meet Northern Pacific Airways - Alaska's Newest Airline". Simple Flying. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  2. ^ "Rob McKinney, CEO of FLOAT Alaska — Frequent Flyer ✈". Frequent Flyer ✈. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  3. ^ Tom (2023-09-11). "Northern Pacific Airways to be rebranded as New Pacific Airlines". FINN - The Aviation Industry Hub | FINN. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  4. ^ Bailey, Joanna (2021-09-22). "Startup Northern Pacific Buys Six Boeing 757s To Launch Operations". Simple Flying. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  5. ^ "Rob McKinney, CEO of FLOAT Alaska — Frequent Flyer ✈". Frequent Flyer ✈. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  6. ^ "Northern Pacific Airways Receives FAA Approval, Scheduled Flights Will Take Off". Yahoo Life. 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  7. ^ Bailey, Joanna (2021-09-22). "Startup Northern Pacific Buys Six Boeing 757s To Launch Operations". Simple Flying. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  8. ^ Machado, João (2021-10-12). "World Routes 2021: exclusive interview with Northern Pacific Airways CEO, Rob McKinney". Aviacionline.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  9. ^ "Northern Pacific Airways Unveils Livery, High Hopes for Its Future at Southern California Event : AirlineReporter". www.airlinereporter.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  10. ^ Bailey, Joanna (2021-09-22). "Startup Northern Pacific Buys Six Boeing 757s To Launch Operations". Simple Flying. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  11. ^ "Mokulele Airlines picked to serve Kalaupapa". mauinews.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  12. ^ "Rob McKinney, CEO Northern Pacific Airways – Sail Sport Talk". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
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