AIA and Mark Air
In the beginning, there was Interior Airways, and Interior begat Alaska International Air, and then Neil Bergt was perplexed, since commercial aviation was still regulated, he couldn't become a real airline. Among the Certificated airlines in Alaska, was Great Northern Airlines, which was having some financial difficulties (Like-Duh!). Neil bought Great Northern, and, Presto! He was a real airline. However, a name like Alaska International Air, wouldn't work if they were going to enter the passenger market, so a new name was born : Mark Air.

Great Northern L-188 Electra (N402GN) on the ramp at Oakland. Date Unknown
The L-188 was one of the few aircraft which could compete with the B737, used by Wien Air Alaska. Its load capacity and speed made it a money-maker



Alaska International Air L-100 Hercules, N108AK, with the Mark Air name on the fuselage, on the ramp at Anchorage, Alaska. Up until the formation of Mark Air, AIA flew only Hercules, WORLDWIDE.
After the formation of Mark Air, all aircraft were painted in the Grey/Maroon livery as shown in the next two images.



Strange how things work out...just about the time Mark Air got into the market, Wien Air Alaska declared bankruptcy, and shut down! Hmmmmmm...
Alaska communities still had its favorite airplane, the B737. Here N670MA sits on the ramp at Barrow, Alaska. Note the A3 container ("Igloo") inside the aircraft. In addition to the two containers, this configuration carried 72 passengers.

Downloaded Image


N674MA sits on the ramp at Barrow, Alaska.

Downloaded Image