Ravn Selects Top Airline Operations, Safety, and Regulatory Expert to be New Senior Vice President of Flight Operations

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dave Pflieger, President & CEO of Ravn Air Group ("Ravn"), Alaska's largest regional airline, today announced that Deke Abbott, an airline operations, safety, and regulatory expert, will be joining Ravn Air Group's new world-class leadership team. This final addition will complete the Ravn executive team reorganization that began under Mr. Pflieger's direction last September.

"We are thrilled to have Deke join our airline," said President & CEO, Dave Pflieger. "Operating with a 'one Ravn' mindset, Deke will be responsible for Flight Operations across both Ravn Alaska and Ravn Connect. Under his leadership, we will continue to drive a strong safety and compliance culture, and take our company to even greater heights."

An experienced airline pilot, flight instructor and regulator, Abbott joins Ravn from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where over nearly the past decade, he was responsible for the operational oversight of FAR part 135 airlines as well as setting operating policy for the FAR part 121 carriers. Prior to joining Ravn, Deke was the acting FAA Deputy Regional Administrator for Alaska, based in Anchorage.

Prior to that role, Abbott was the FAA's Manager of the Polaris Certificate Management Office (CMO), which is responsible for the direct oversight of all operational and maintenance aspects of seven different FAR Part 135 commercial carriers in the state of Alaska. Before his time in Alaska, Abbott also served as Branch Manager, AFS-220 in Washington D.C., responsible for setting operating policy for all FAR Part 121 airlines in the U.S.

"Under Dave's leadership, I've been extremely impressed with Ravn's new "safety-first" focus and commitment to full compliance, transparency, and cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA, and the NTSB, and the company's desire to far exceed all regulatory requirements," said Abbott. "I very much look forward to joining the company and continuing the great work being done to make Ravn the industry-leading airline serving our great state."

"With Deke's experience at the FAA, and intimate knowledge of flying in this state, it's an enormous compliment and vote of confidence that he has chosen to join our company," Pflieger said. "His expertise and experience will further accelerate our safety and regulatory efforts, and our goal to be the safety leader in Alaska commercial aviation."

About Deke Abbott
A highly experienced airline Captain/Chief Pilot, flight instructor, and government manager, Deke joins Ravn from the FAA, where over nearly the last decade, he was responsible for operational oversight of Part 135 carriers and setting operating policies for U.S. Part 121 airlines. While at the FAA, Deke was the acting Deputy Regional Administrator for Alaska. Prior to that, among other assignments, Deke was the FAA's Manager of the Polaris Certificate Management Office (CMO), which is responsible for the direct oversight of seven different FAR Part 135 commercial carriers, including  the largest FAR Part 135 commercial carrier in the state of Alaska. Additionally, while at the FAA, he also held positions as acting Flight Standards Deputy Division Manager for Alaska; Branch Manager, AFS-220, responsible for setting operating policy for U.S. FAR Part 121 airlines; and Aviation Safety Inspector, AFS-220. Abbott is an FAA licensed multi-engine airline transport pilot, commercial pilot and certified flight instructor. Prior to his tenure at the FAA, he was a Captain and Chief Pilot for Comair, Inc., a FAR Part 121 air carrier. A decorated United States Marine, Deke was a member of 2^nd ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company) and served as a Firepower Control Team Chief. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Member of the Royal Air Force Club in London, England. Deke holds a BA from Brown University and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire.

About Ravn Air Group

Ravn Air Group is proud to be Alaska's largest regional airline. Headquartered in Anchorage and supported by over 1,000 employees, Ravn operates a highly reliable fleet of almost 70 aircraft on more than 400 flights per day (almost 3,000 flights a week) from hubs in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Bethel, Aniak, St. Mary's, Nome, Kotzebue, Unalakleet, Barrow, and Galena. Recently, Ravn also announced service to Dillingham and King Salmon. The airline provides passenger, mail, freight, and charter customers with air transportation and logistics services to more than 115 destinations throughout Alaska. Ravn also has interline airline agreements with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines to carry their passengers across the state. Passengers may participate in Ravn Alaska's FlyAway Rewards program for all Ravn Alaska or Ravn Connect flights or accrue Alaska Airlines miles on select Ravn flights. For more information on how to buy tickets or reserve charter flights visit flyravn.com, flyravn.com/charter-a-flight, or call 800-866-8394.

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SOURCE Ravn Air Group