Ascent Global Logistics has acquired Alaska-based Hageland Aviation Services and launched Rambler Air, a new air service provider focused on safe, reliable travel within Alaska. Rambler will perform commuter flights as well as passenger and cargo charters. The service is expected to launch in early 2021 with eight Piper Chieftain Navajos and two Beechcraft 1900Ds and will be headquartered in Anchorage at Lake Hood.

“Rambler Air will provide a much-needed service to Alaskan communities and businesses,” says 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 is an expansion of Ascent's Arctic On-Demand service that launched earlier this year. Arctic On-Demand is an air charter brokerage for cargo and passengers. Covering 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,” explains 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 standalone company, and we hope to make many more like this.”

Rebecca Clark, MD for Arctic On-Demand adds: “With the impact of COVID-19, potential capacity in Alaska air service is down 45 per cent. Rambler will be a critical part of the solution in meeting future demand of the Alaskan market.”

The creation of up to 45 professional aviation jobs in Alaska is planned, according to newly-appointed director of operations at Rambler Air, Luke 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.”