Northern Air Cargo has announced that it will retire the last of its historic Douglas DC-6 aircraft from its active fleet at the end of September. The aircraft type has been the backbone of NAC’s operations since September of 1969. Built in the 1950’s, they have played a pivotal role in providing vital services to rural Alaska for 39 years. Northern Air Cargo once operated fifteen DC-6 aircraft across the state. The two aircraft still in operation are scheduled to be retired on September 30, 2008. NAC will continue to provide service to all scheduled markets with the exception of Emmonak due to its runway limitations.

NAC and its employees are proud of the contribution these aircraft have made to the building of Alaska. "It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the last of our DC-6 fleet, but costs have made them difficult to operate economically", said David Karp, NAC’s President & Chief Operating Officer. NAC intends to donate one of the aircraft to the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum to be placed on exhibit as a tribute to the services it has provided to the communities of rural Alaska.

In 2007, NAC added three Boeing 737-200 jet aircraft to its fleet. Plans for additional aircraft are being considered. Headquartered in Anchorage, Northern Air Cargo provides air cargo service to fifteen destinations throughout the state.