Now Part Of Saltchuk Companies

Earlier this week, Alaska's Northern Air Cargo announced that after 50 years of operation as a family-owned airline, the company has been sold to Saltchuk Resources, a private holding company based in the Pacific Northwest with various ties to regional transportation.

Founded by Bobby Sholton and Morrie Carlson in 1956, the all-cargo airline grew from its rudimentary origins into a vital part of Alaska's transportation infrastructure, bringing Alaska's rural communities cargo service with a small fleet of 727s and ATR-42s, and five DC-6 workhorses.

"This is exciting and a really positive move for our customers, employees and the family," said Mary Sholton Witte, NAC's former CEO, to the Alaska Journal of Commerce.

Under terms of the deal, Saltchuk acquired all of Northern Air Cargo, Inc, Northern Air Maintenance Services Inc., and NacLink Inc. Saltchuk also purchased the Sholton family's ground support facility and equipment at Fairbanks Airport.

The mother-daughter team of Rita Sholton and Mary Sholton Witte had searched for the past two years for a purchaser for the airline. They had previously sought purchase from Empire Air and Everts Air, but both of those deals fell through.

The announcement of the Saltchuk deal came the day of the 50th anniversary of NAC's founding.

"It was an exciting and emotional announcement," Witte said. "I have known the Saltchuk family, and their companies and ours have the same values, and similar cultures."

Representatives with Northern Air Cargo told Aero-News the airline will continue to operate as an independent company. Rita Sholton, who served as chairman of Northern Air for more than 20 years, was elected chairman emeritus of the company. Current CEO Mary Sholton Witte has also agreed to serve on Northern Air Cargo's advisory board.

FMI: www.nac.aero